Largs Men's Shed goes from strength to strength in 18 months

The shed has not only revitalised the Brisbane Centre in town, but become a beacon of hope and support for scores of people.

It is 18 months since the voluntary run operation launched and now has a membership over 80 people.

Its main purpose is to provide a place for men to get together, chat and help each other, and work as a team in producing various woodcraft to boost men's mental health.

One of the leading lights behind the movement, secretary Ian Murdoch, has told the News that he has seen lives being transformed by the shed.

He said: "First and foremost the Men's Shed is for men's health and well being. We do make and sell products and this gives everyone a feeling of accomplishment and a feeling of pride.

"The practicality of the shed is that we have bills to pay and any money we make from the products we sell go right back into the charity to pay any bills or future liabilities once the asset transfer for the takeover of the Brisbane Centre from North Ayrshire Council is complete."

Ian Murdoch with some of the latest products on offer at Men's Shed (Image: Newsquest)

As well as great support from North Ayrshire Council and local businesses who have donated equipment and materials to the centre, the shed also received £3,500 from the Kelburn Windfarm Trust towards purchasing new equipment which has helped provide professional design to the products that they sell.

Ian added: "We recently received donations of timber from the Waterside Bar which closed down. All those wooden joists would otherwise have gone into the skip and we have been using them to make benches.

"We also had an amazing donation from Ashleigh the builder who were doing the council houses in Linn Avenue, as well as from MacKinnons builders and Stephen Connick the joiner.

"The good thing now is that people think twice about what they put in the bin as we pride ourselves in recycling everything that we can."

Ian described the shed as the "most enjoyable and heartwarming" thing that he has been involved with.

He believes it has "absolutely worked" since being introduced in March 2023 with a skirl of the bagpipes, and opened by North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson.

Shedload of support: Men's Shed sold a range of items they've produced during Viking Festival week (Image: Clyde Coast and Cumbrae Men's Shed)

He added: "I have seen how men's lives have been transformed by this facility in 18 months, and that is what it is designed for, and it is brilliant to see."

The shed has also been working closely with community groups including the newly formed Largs SWI and the Largs Boys Brigade who have benefitted from learning new skills at workshop style events.

If you are interested in joining, follow the Clyde Coast and Cumbrae’s Men’s Shed Facebook page.

Membership is free and is open to anyone residing in Largs, Fairlie, Millport, Skelmorlie and West Kilbride.

The Men's Shed is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays so you can pop in during the day for more information.