Andrew Bowie has warned that planned Scottish Government cuts to Men’s Shed funding would represent a “major blow to one of the greatest mental and physical health developments of this generation.”
A Banchory-based charity, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, has launched a petition to the Scottish Government to continue funding after this year.
A sum of £75,000 was agreed between three Scottish Ministers and the charity. But this will not continue beyond 2022, prompting the SMSA petition.
Scotland’s first men’s shed was set up in Westhill and District in 2013, and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie has spoken up in support of groups which “save lives as well as money” from NHS Scotland budgets.
Andrew said:
“On behalf of several Men’s Sheds in my constituency and many more across the North East, I understand and commend the important work they do.
“Spending £75,000 this year will have a disproportionately positive impact on preventative health spend, reduce loneliness and the appalling rate of suicide among Scots men, and tell a generation of older people that their skills and experience are still valued.
“As our population ages, it’s only going to become more important that these vital charities are given the opportunity to grow.
“So ending core support in 2023 will be a major blow to one of the greatest mental and physical health developments of this generation.
“I would ask people across the North East to support the SMSA, and let Scottish Ministers know how their budgets can be used to save lives as well as saving money.”
