The Scottish Government has come under fire after cutting funding for the Scottish Men's Sheds - a men's movement which has been running in Scotland since 2015.
Men's Sheds is a global movement bringing men, of all backgrounds, together where they partake in various activities including snooker, painting, gardening, and cycling.
The movement came to Scotland in 2015 and they were initially given £75,000 and started with two sheds. Over the years they received more funding but each year the funding decreased before a decision was made to cut it completely for 2023, according to the CEO of Men's Sheds, Jason Schroeder.
Public Health Scotland data shows that a staggering 75% of people who died by suicide in 2021 were men. Far too often, men are afraid to talk about their mental health and it can have tragic consequences.
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The Men's Sheds, which have branches in Glasgow, are a safe space for men to come together and find solace in each other's company.
Glasgow Live visited a Men's Shed branch, in Govan and we felt the brotherly bond and camaraderie circulating across each corner of the room as soon as we walked in.
We spoke with some of the service users about their experiences and the importance of the sheds.
Gordan Anderson regrets retiring aged 65 as he believes he had five more years of work left in him - but he joined the Men's Shed and it brought joy into his life.
The 67-year-old said: "I was retired and sitting on my backside. I gained three stone since I left work. I lost two stone in the first year I came here.
"I’ve learnt new skills and done things I’ve never done in my life. It’s an absolute godsend. You’ve got the elderly and people from all walks of life, it’s superb.
"I’m heard as often as I can be. It’s so important and a safe space for men to come to. I cannot praise the men’s shed highly enough for what it’s done for me and others. It’s all about having a purpose."
He added: "It’s shocking that they are cutting the funding because it’s saving them a fortune. Without the men’s shed there would be people going from bad to worse, physically and mentally."
Tommy Young, aged 77, from Ibrox, has been attending the Men's Shed for three years and is saddened at the government's decision to cut back funding.
He said: "I like the company, if I’m not here then I am sitting in the house without company and it’s not good.
"I mostly do the painting when I come here and I enjoy it. It’s great interacting with others, some of their patter is good and I’m a laugher.
"We do a lot for the community around here, the government doesn't appreciate what we do, it’s ridiculous. It makes me feel lousy and rotten. A place like this is very important for the community and myself."
One man found himself on the doorstep of the Govan branch after becoming homeless and living in temporary emergency accommodation last summer.
He told Glasgow Live: "When I came in I chapped on the door and somebody said “what do you want?” and I almost walked away but I never did. I’ve now moved to Govan and without the help of the men’s shed, I wouldn’t have had a roof over my head.
"You won’t get turned away if you need a warm meal. I’ve helped other people too thanks to the men’s shed."
A petition calling for the government to rethink their decision to cut the funding has already been signed by over three thousand people.
CEO of Men's Sheds, Jason Schroeder told Glasgow Live: "The Scottish Government had a meeting in February 2022 and I got a letter saying they will give £75,000 as a last payment and then from 2023 onwards we will receive nothing.
"There’s such a big need in our community for men’s health and the Men’s Sheds are becoming the world's biggest health movement for men.
"We can’t understand why the government wouldn’t, like Australia and Ireland, be increasing the funding because it saves them millions and could actually save the NHS. It makes no sense to us.
"When they delivered us the bombshell that they are stopping the funding we thought they were making a mistake and we needed to let them know."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government funding for men’s sheds has helped the movement to grow from five men’s sheds in 2013 to more than 200 sheds today, with more than 3,000 members.
"The £75,000 provided by Scottish Government this financial year will help the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association build further success as they continue to develop their business model and new funding partners come on board.”
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