Highland community asset transfer bid secures new home for Glen Urquhart Men’s Shed and other community groups; the Balnain buildings were handed over by Forestry and Land Scotland
A fresh chapter has begun for the Glen Urquhart Men's Shed after they took possession of the keys to their new home.
The shed recently took on three former office buildings belonging to Forestry and Land Scotland at Balnain following a successful community asset transfer bid.
Seeing an opportunity to boost local resources, and with considerable community support, the Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) led the transfer request
And, with the transfer now completed and the keys to the buildings formally handed over, the Glen Urquhart Men's Shed (GUMS) members will now take on the refurbishment and maintenance of their new home.
It's an exciting new chapter in the history of GUMS, which was launched five years ago and has grown from eight to 20 members. The new permanent home is expected to help it grow further.
GURCA chairwoman, Susan Griffin said; “GURCA are delighted that we have concluded the purchase of the Balnain site with Forest and Land Scotland.
“This has been a collaborative project undertaken with Glen Urquhart Men's Shed, which will now lease the site from GURCA, to allow its membership to grow and flourish.
"Organisations like Men's Sheds are key to our overall health and wellbeing strategy and provide opportunities for men from all backgrounds to come together to socialize and share their skills.
“It is the latest of GURCA's projects which aim to tackle health, wellbeing and social isolation following on from the purchase of our community woods in 2022 and another example of community collaboration at its best.”
Consisting of a workshop building, a small office building and an office / meeting room, the Balnain site is consider to be ideal for a Men's Shed.
Glen Urquhart Men's Shed treasurer, Erik Telfer, added; “We are delighted to have a permanent base that will provide more space and the opportunity to fit out workshop facilities.
“A Ladies Shed has also started and is now a growing group that will be able to share some of these facilities.”
The Balnain site will also serve as a hub for other community groups, including Soirbheas, which provides support to communities in Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, a local watersports group, as well as Balnain Community Hall.
The workshop and office building are currently being refurbished with grant funding from Soirbheas, Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund, National Lottery Awards for All, and the Great Glen Energy Fund.
FLS’ Community Asset Transfers (CATS) Assessment Panel representative, Bill Slee, said; “CATS are all about community empowerment and giving local people the means and the opportunity to strengthen community resilience and identity.
“This particular asset transfer will be a boost for several community groups but will perhaps be of greatest benefit to the Glen Urquhart Men’s Shed group.
“Their new premises will give them the chance to expand and develop their unique social hub, that as with all Men’s Sheds, aims to help all men (aged 18+) by reducing social isolation and so improve mental, physical and emotional well-being.
"Having been a founder trustee in the establishment of a men’s shed in rural Aberdeenshire, I have seen how much social value they can add to a community.
“The application included a tremendous level of community consultation and support and GURCA and GUMS members have a highly valuable and practical range of skills to refurbish the buildings on the site.
“The panel would like to wish them every success.”
The Scottish Men’s Shed Association was established in 2014 and now has a network of Sheds across Scotland.
