Biggar and District Men's Shed: Building Community, One Project at a Time

The Biggar and District Men's Shed (BDMS) have been creating a vibrant community space that is making a significant impact on the lives of local men and the wider community.

The Men's Shed concept, part of an international movement, was developed to address the social isolation and loneliness that men can experience throughout their lives. In 2017, the local community explored the possibility of establishing their own Men's Shed and this global initiative found a place in Biggar, South Lanarkshire.

The BDMS has grown from strength to strength, evolving into a well-recognised local community organisation. Today, it boasts 42 members and has become a vital resource for men across the community in this rural area.

The Men’s Shed and the Glenkerie Fund

Since 2022 The Men’s Shed has received just over £11,500 from the Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund with a total of three grants being awarded. Two awards have been offered to support the group with internal building works to develop a usable space for the group to meet and work.  

Tackling the decorating and flooring challenges

Its first award, in 2022, was for £7,621 to support bringing the initial building up to health and safety standards and to decorate the space to improve the environment for its users.  The regeneration of the space helped to increase membership and to future-proof the premises.  The board's vision was to create a facility that had a useable space for social gatherings and to deliver a range of workshops including woodwork, metalwork, and electronics.  New manufacturing technologies, together with a selection of computer equipment, provide the opportunity for familiarisation with basic home computer operation, other operating systems, networking and coding etc.

In 2023 the group received its second award of £1,500 to contribute towards improving the floor area.  The original flooring, which dated back to the 1970s, was made of chipboard that had become damp and in places and rotted over the years. While the underlying structure remains sound, it was advised that laying new plywood boards on top would provide a safe and sturdy surface.

To address this issue, the BDMS applied for funding through the Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund to purchase 18mm plywood, nails, and paint. True to the spirit of the Men's Shed, the BDMS planned to acquire the materials and complete the work themselves. This hands-on approach not only kept costs down but also provided an opportunity for members to work together, sharing skills and building camaraderie in the process.

Tools for building success

In 2024 the group applied to the Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund and was awarded £2,420 to support with purchasing hand tools.  Its tool supply consisted of a variety of old donated tools and a selection of new tools bought over the last year.  

Part of the BDMS activities include making equipment and objects to sell and raising money to support the running of the Men’s Shed.  The members were aware that they needed to speed up the production of items for sale and for donation to local organisations.  

 The tools will provide the group with the opportunity to create higher quality items at a much faster pace to sell and it is hoped that the new tools will also increase interested parties to join the Men’s Shed and increase membership.  

Looking to the Future

The Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund is celebrating ten years of community impact.  The continued growth of the BDMS serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and support from community benefit.  

From its modest beginnings in 2017 to its current status as a vital community resource, the BDMS has demonstrated the power of collective action and mutual support.  The group works together to achieve shared outcomes, empowering themselves, and building confidence, resilience, and social connections.