Barrhead Men’s Shed set to grow thanks to funding

The charity is already changing lives and giving retired, and often lonely people, a place to call home.

It will use the funding to expand its activities so that it can boost its membership from 50 to 80 people who will get the chance to learn and share new skills whilst building new friendships.

Ross McKemmie, treasurer, Barrhead Men’s Shed SCIO, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery, this award will give us greater sustainability which allows us to reach further into our community and encourage more isolated men to come along to our shed.

“We have a great range of skills to pass on and our members get great satisfaction carrying out a range of services for the local community including children’s nurseries and care homes.

“Our members still have a lot to contribute and The Shed means a lot to them so it’s absolutely brilliant that we will be able to keep going well into the future and support even more people who need our help.”

Maureen McGinn, chair of National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Our name might have changed recently but our focus remains the same – funding projects which matter to people and communities.

“Feelings of isolation or loneliness are not just something that affect one particular age group or generation but can become more acute in later life.

“So I am delighted some of this funding will go to projects supporting older people to engage with their communities and contribute to them using their skills and experience.”

Last year The National Lottery Community Fund (previously the Big Lottery Fund) gave out over £48m of National Lottery funding to community projects across Scotland.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk.