Irvine Newtown Men's Shed nominated for major national award

The shed is a finalist for the Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year award, alongside groups in Milngavie and Bearsden and Stonehaven.

The winner will be announced at the SMSA National Gathering, AGM and Awards on Friday, August 28.

The Irvine group started in late 2018 when a small number of local men decided to create a safe space for the community.

Setting up in a former shop in Bourtreehill, they then moved to their base at 10 Lower Vennel nine months later.

The members carried out the full internal conversion themselves, establishing a functional workshop, a multipurpose meeting/coffee room, and another room for pyrography and CNC work. They also maintain a sizeable external garage used primarily for storage.

Over the years, the shed has also carried out a wide range of charitable and goodwill projects, including constructing access ramps for local residents who were unable to get support elsewhere.

Members have also donated items and prizes to charities and sports clubs, and created props, displays, and festive pieces for community organisations.

They have also produced a bespoke, flat-packable Santa sleigh for the local Round Table, and built chicken-wire Christmas tree frames for Dreghorn Library.

Jason Schroeder, chief executive officer of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, said: "The standard of this year's entries has been outstanding, making the SMSA Board of Trustees’ decision to select our three finalists incredibly challenging.

"Every entry demonstrated the values that make the Men's Shed movement so special – friendship, inclusion, volunteering and making a real difference in local communities. 

"Congratulations to the Irvine Newtown, Milngavie and Bearsden, and Stonehaven Sheds on reaching the national final. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our National Gathering in August."