About Us

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Lanark Men's Shed

is a registered Scottish Charity based in South Lanarkshire.

The shed is part of the Scottish and UK Men’s Shed Associations and it is one of 138 Sheds in Scotland.

Lanark Men’s Shed, in common with all Men’s Sheds, provides a stress-free learning environment where members can share skills in a variety of activities such as woodworking and restoration projects, wood turning and technology-based CNC, laser burning and 3D printing. We aim to promote the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of all members, and to ensure all our members feel included, welcomed, listened to and importantly have a safe space to share experiences and knowledge.

We help our members:

Develop their knowledge and skills around certain crafts
Improve their mental health and social isolation
Facilitate a space where they can be around other like-minded people
Work on projects that improve our local community
Enjoy the use of workshop equipment and facilities they don't have

Our shed is based in New Lanark which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We moved to New Lanark on 1st October 2023 after 2 years at a smaller site. We are very happy with the new premises, and will endeavour to stay there for the foreseeable future.

Our new premises consist of one large workshop with a mezzanine level and a breakout social area with a kitchen. We have two 2 smaller single-storey workshops adjacent with one housing a woodworking workshop and the other used as a temporary small wood store.

We also have an additional site used as a main wood storage area for larger volumes of wood that is offsite in a barn.

Our Purpose:

to promote the mental, physical and emotional well-being of all members, and to ensure all feel included, welcomed, listened to and importantly have a safe warm space and working environment to share experiences and knowledge.

One of our mottos is that ‘’Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder.”

Our shed exists for one simple reason, and this is to combat and eradicate social isolation in men and women in our local community. Social isolation is pronounced among elderly men, especially those whose partners are ill or have passed away.

Our shed works hard to improve the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of our members. We teach members about crafts, how to use tools, and make things. This creates opportunities for our members to support one another, as they work alongside and make things of value.

Our projects are aimed to impact and improve the community around us. Our projects have included making things for schools, other local charities and community groups. These projects might range from building planters to completing a summer house for Carmichael Primary School.

Come Visit The Online Shop

View some of the stunning creations made in at the Shed and fill in a form if you’d like to order.

Our Values:

Here are the values that we hold dear and try to embrace in everything that we do.

Supportiveness

We aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to gather, volunteer, work, teach, learn, and seek fellowship with other like-minded people. We always look out for each other. Everyone supports everyone else. This is part of our nature.

Openness

We maintain an open-door policy and admit everyone regardless of their race, disability, religion or age. Our shed is accessible to everyone with no restrictions. We are open and transparent.

Everyone can speak frankly. Everyone who joins our shed gets to participate in our WhatsApp group where things are openly discussed. At least once a month, everyone gets to hear what is going on with the broader organisation.

Equality

We are a democratic shed with elected trustees. We treat everyone equally and respect their equal voice. Members come first. It is a member-run organisation. All big decisions are consulted with members. There is a flat organisational structure in practice.

Care

We all act in the best interests of the shed. All members set aside their agendas when attending to shed matters.

Trust

We all trust each other. People who share personal information can trust that it will be treated confidentially. People can trust that we will respect their rights. Our members trust that any advice that is given to them is offered in good faith. Relationships in our shed can only be built on trust.

Partnerships

We work together with similar-minded organisations and guide members to other services or agencies when appropriate or requested.

Contribution

We use our skills to contribute to our community. We always try to spend on local suppliers when buying equipment and supplies. We also do projects with other men’s sheds and charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, Age Scotland and New Lanark Trust.