2025-08-31-accounts

LISVANE MEN’S SHED

CHARITY NUMBER 1196824

ANNUAL REPORT

2024/25

Lisvane Men’s Shed – “Not just a shed.”

INTRODUCTION

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed’s fourth year has been a year of stability with a small growth in membership and continued commitment to community integration, participation in community events as well as making opportunities to give back.

2. This Annual Report serves to meet the requirements of the constitution and the statutory requirements of the Charity Commission UK. The report also aims to remind the members of Lisvane Men’s Shed of what has been undertaken during the 12 months of 2024-2025 and to inform supporters, funders, local community representatives, interested parties and members of the local community, of the activities, achievements, plans and direction for the long-term future of the Shed.

3. While the Annual Report outlines the events and community involvement during the last year and, while it positively records the strengthening of Men’s Shed, it also highlights the critical need to develop a resilient business continuity plan. Work and negotiations have been ongoing during the last 15 months to ensure a resilient future and a long-term home so that the Lisvane Men’s Shed will become a legacy for the community of Lisvane and the people of North Cardiff.

4. Lisvane Men’s Shed, a charity registered with the Charity Commission UK, provides a charitable facility that serves the mental health and wellbeing of local men. It strives to combat depression, isolation, loneliness and male suicide. In addition, for some, Lisvane Men’s Shed may provide some respite and support for partners and families.

5. The Shed is a happy place and has witnessed extended friendships, camaraderie and support provided by members for each other, while standing “Shoulder to Shoulder.”

6. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), the trustees commend the 4th Annual Report of Lisvane Men’s Shed to the membership.

“I just love the Shed.”

TRUSTEE APPOINTMENTS

1. “At every … annual general meeting of the members of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), one third of the elected charity trustees shall retire from office.” “The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment.” (Constitution, Clause 13 (b), (c)). They are eligible for reappointment (Constitution, Clause 16 T&Cs apply).

2. At the AGM held on 7th October 2024, Michael Knight, Colin Passmore and Stephen Coles were re-elected as trustees, by the members. Roger Marshall was elected as a new trustee.

3. The trustees for 2024/25 were:

Christopher Griffiths Stephen Coles Philip Evans Colin Passmore Michael Knight Stephen Evans James Stagg Desmond Whittle Roger Marshall

1. Philip Evans, Stephen Evans and Desmond Whittle have intimated they will stand down as trustees and stand for re-election at the forthcoming AGM.

2. The Chair wishes to acknowledge the support and commitment of the strong team of trustees in striving to enable progress of the programme of support for shedders.

OFFICE BEARERS

1. The current trustee nominated office bearers are:

Chair Christopher Griffiths Secretary Stephen Coles Treasurer Philip Evans

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed has two Honorary Members:

Philip Husband Matt McCormack

MEMBERSHIP

1. Lisvane Men's Shed’s membership has increased again in the last year, from 25 to 27, but accommodation and lease restrictions limiting access to one day per week, means it is not feasible to increase the membership further. There is currently a waiting list of around 8, demonstrating a continued greater local need; a need that the community has come to understand.

2. Lisvane Men’s Shed is striving to establish greater opportunities for more people to benefit from what the Shed offers. The longer-term focus lies within the aims of the Business Continuity Plan and the establishment of a permanent site facilitating greater membership and opening times. In addition, the Shed has extended its activities by being involved in community events, community classes, social activities and excursions to places of interest.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN

1. The longevity and resilience of Lisvane Men’s Shed is dependent on three core elements of its Business Continuity Plan:

2. Risk pertaining to termination of tenancy

3. Risk of major incident or disaster

4. Long term future

5. The relationship with the landlord, Marston’s Ltd and the Ty Mawr Inn, is viewed as being very positive . In spite of the Ty Mawr Inn having three changes in manager in the last two years, along with changes at regional and area management levels, the Chair of the Shed has been consistently reassured that its position as the local community charity based at the Ty Mawr site is safe and enjoyed.

6. The trustees must adopt a pragmatic approach towards its current location in order to secure the operational continuity of the Shed. The tenancy is based on a five-year term and the tenancy entered its third year in June 2025. Consideration of the tenancy agreement requires cognisance of any risk that may impact the ability of Lisvane Men’s Shed to function. The tenancy agreement carries the clause that the landlord may give notice of one month of cessation of the lease. Although reassured by the management of the Ty Mawr Inn, the trustees must be prepared for any change in circumstances that might influence a cessation of the tenancy.

7. There is a need to identify temporary and possibly permanent venues that might be available to ensure the security of Lisvane Men’s Shed, including any related removal and ancillary costs. This forms part of the Business Continuity Plan.

8. Every business operation needs to plan for the rare risk of some catastrophe that negatively impacts its operation, if it is to survive such an event. Although Lisvane Men’s Shed carries insurance policies for such incidents, the Business Continuity Plan needs to lay out preparations to carry on operations. Considerations include the consequences of fire, major damage to the container through unforeseen incidents, etc.

9. Finally, the long-term future of the Shed needs to be planned if Lisvane Men’s Shed is to be able to operate on more than one day per week. This could lead to doubling its membership and to leaving a lasting a legacy to the community. The trustees wish to retain the existing container cabin at the Ty Mawr Inn but would also like to acquire a second site, which would introduce permanency. This model of operation is practised by a number of Men’s Sheds, which operate different functions on different sites.

Lisvane Men's Shed

1. A number of places have been investigated to look at an additional site. Lisvane Men’s Shed established a working group to pursue options and for over a year have been negotiating the feasibility of acquiring the former changing rooms on Heol Y Delyn, Lisvane. In July 2025, a formal case was submitted to the owner of the former changing rooms, Cardiff Council. Lisvane Men’s Shed has recently been advised that the bid was successful and the Council are in the process of drafting a legal contract for consideration.

2. The former changing rooms are condemned and so will require to be demolished with a purpose-built Men’s Shed being put in its place. These are early days in the process but this is a project currently being followed to achieve a permanent home for Lisvane Men’s Shed and the further development of the ethos of Men’s Sheds. Work has already begun towards raising the considerable funding required for this major “New Building” project.

Former Changing Rooms Heol Y Delyn

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

1. It is considered essential that Shed members have the opportunity to be involved in community activities, external events or visit the activities of other groups, as part of the aims to develop camaraderie, and avoid isolation. It also provides the satisfaction of giving back to people that have supported the Shed and encourages the feelings of belonging and being part of the wider social interests.

2. Lisvane Men’s Shed, as a community organisation, is experiencing tremendous community support. The Shed is fortunate to enjoy an excellent relationship with Lisvane Community Council, Lisvane Community Association, elected representatives, the Lisvane Link and numerous groups and individuals in the village. In return, there is a drive to continue to raise public awareness of the true value of men’s sheds in combating male loneliness, isolation and depression.

Talk to Lisvane Over-Fifties

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed continues to support other community groups including the Lisvane Christmas Fair, Lisvane Summer Fete, Low Intensity Functional Training (LIFT) classes, the Village Cinema night, Lisvane Coffee Ladies’ charity coffee mornings and a talk to the Lisvane Over Fifties Club. Some of the shedders have been rejuvenated and joined the newly created group playing Walking Football at Lisvane Primary School field.

Lisvane Village Walking Football

1. The Lisvane Coffee Ladies were nominated, by Lisvane Men’s Shed, for a Cardiff 3[rd] Sector Council (C3SC) Award for volunteers. Shedders recognise the years of fundraising by the ladies and the continued work they undertake in raising thousands of pounds for a wide range of charities. Lisvane Men’s Shed is humbled by being allowed to work with the Lisvane Coffee Ladies, on a few occasions, and congratulates them on being finalists for the award.

Lisvane Coffee Ladies

1. Along with the Lisvane Coffee Ladies, Lisvane Men’s Shed raised £1,000 for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, a charity close to the heart of many local families.

2. Shedders undertook a personal collection and donated £151 to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity for their devotion to families and children who are victims of cancer.

3. A group of shedders were asked to assist in the making of a series of online community training videos by Sacyr, at the new Velindre Cancer Centre development, and consequently were invited to the launch of Sacyr’s Community Platform and Tool Lending Programme, at the Senedd.

4. Following an approach by A Level student of Llanishen High School, Sophie Milner, Lisvane Men’s Shed agreed to assist in mentoring her with her Welsh Baccalaureate project, “Impacting Society and the Environment.” Sophie successfully submitted her written work, aided by the bug hotels she created utilising craft tools at the Shed.

5. A child’s play kitchen was recovered by a shedder and after some renovation work, it was saved from heading to the dump. A great piece of recycling led to the toy kitchen being donated by Lisvane Men’s Shed to Thornhill Primary School.

----- Start of picture text -----
Gwenno 1900
----- End of picture text -----

1. When shedder, Dave Evans, recounted the history of a family heirloom, and how after 125 years it needed some repair, it was cleaned and lovingly restored while retaining its original character. The little stool had been given as a gift to commemorate the birth of baby Gwenno, in 1900. A small, discreet plaque was added to act as a family memorial for the little girl who was sadly taken by cholera at the age of 12 years.

2. A local lady asked a shedder if we could repair a 100-year-old mandolin. It seemed beyond us until one shedder called a friend, Richard Cross from Caerphilly. Richard is amazing. He repaired the mother of pearl inlay, cleaned the beautiful shell inlaid bird and renovated the whole instrument. The result was the saving of a beautiful instrument and heirloom. Evidence that the friendship of the Shed goes further than our shed walls.

----- Start of picture text -----
Lisvane Summer Fete 2025
----- End of picture text -----

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed’s integration in the community is further demonstrated by its now annual stand at the Lisvane Village Summer Fair. An extremely successful event saw a huge amount of interest by visitors to the stall, who kindly supported fund raising by purchasing some of the Shed’s woodcraft sales. More importantly, it facilitated a great deal of face-to-face chat and more people learned about what the Men’s Shed is.

2. Friends of Coed Y Felin are facing a challenge with some of the signs that have marked access points to the loved woodland walks. A shedder had the privilege of restoring a sign on a piece of solid oak that has faced the weather and lichen over more than twenty years.

----- Start of picture text -----
Before
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
After
----- End of picture text -----

1. The City Hospice was given a large, printed tapestry to be sewn by patients and their families in the Day Hospice. Shedder Mike Bloomfield was asked to make a wooden stretcher frame for the tapestry. Using reclaimed timber, he worked at home and at Cardiff & District Woodcraft Club to complete the frame before presenting it to Daycare Organiser, Deborah Ho.

VISTS TO SHEDS

1. It is important for members and Lisvane Men’s Shed, that shedders visit other Welsh, Men’s Sheds. Such meetings expand friendships but also facilitate development by learning from the experiences of other men’s sheds. It has been extremely worthwhile to study other sheds and see how they were created, how they have developed and how they have improved on the services they provide to shedders and local communities.

2. Members of Lisvane Men’s Shed have visited the Dusty Shed in Ely, Caerau Men’s Shed, near Maesteg, and The Good Shed in Splott.

UK MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION

1. Chris Griffiths was re-elected as a trustee of the UKMSA in July 2025 and attended the AGM and UKMSA Shedfest, in Worcester. As a trustee, he also attended the UKMSA Shed of the Year Awards at the Palace of Westminster and witnessed other Welsh Sheds, Caerau, Pontypridd and Rhyl, receive highly deserved awards. The highly commendable Lanfyllin and Blaenau Gwent sheds were both proud finalists.

UKMSA Shed of the Year Awards

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed has renewed its annual membership of the national association, UKMSA.

SHED ACTIVITIES

1. In addition to the events and contributions referred to elsewhere in this report, members of Lisvane Men’s Shed have continued to contribute and participate to activities through the course of the year. For many, the most important thing is the social meetings, drinking tea or coffee around a table, while taking part in the chat and banter, enjoying hilarious laughter. A small number make things for fundraising at village fairs, etc, while some help with the raised beds at the allotment. Trips and outings call for planning and effort, which have led to several shedders stepping up to organise events.

2. The continued dedication of shedder Des Whittle in maintaining and running the Shed’s allotment as well as ensuring a beautiful display of flowers in the planters at the front of the Shed. The planters have drawn numerous compliments from patrons of the Ty Mawr Inn.

3. The sharing of potatoes and other vegetables from the raised beds at the allotment has spread to members who, from their own gardens and allotments, distributed beans, courgettes, marrows, plumbs and other items to be shared among members.

4. Lisvane Men’s Shed have displayed ornamental poppies at the Shed to remember those who lost their lives in world conflicts. In November 2024, Chris Griffiths and Phil Evans were invited to join representatives of other Welsh Sheds at the Royal British Legion Wales Festival of Remembrance at International Convention Centre in Newport. The evening was a very touching and moving experience.

RBL Wales Festival of Remembrance

1. The annual Shed Christmas Dinner at the landlord’s Ty Mawr Inn, was a fantastic success again, with a spirit lifting evening, demonstrating what “shoulder to shoulder” is about. Shedders just want to have fun. A great turnout is anticipated at the next Christmas night out.

2. For some time, the tradition of birthday cakes being shared at Shed meetings has been welcomed by everyone. Some Shedders have shown their personal skills, with Mike Dean making a “Shed Cake” and Roger Marshall making the best Bara Brith in the country.

3. A recent introduction to the Shed has been “Toast Tuesday.” This has proven to be successful with a great turnout for toast and jam or cheese. Proof that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Toast Tuesday

1. Shedder Ian Philpot organised another annual Graig Walk. This hike to the top of the Caerphilly Mountain to appreciate the views over the Bristol Channel to the Somerset Coast, and the views North over Caerphilly, are uplifting.

Top of the Graig

----- Start of picture text -----
Skittles
----- End of picture text -----

1. Shedders Jim Stagg and Gareth Owen arranged Skittles evenings at the Halfway Inn and the Birch Grove Inn, with between 16 and 19 shedders attending each occasion. Even though there were no “strikes” bowled, further nights are aimed to attack the nine pins.

VISITORS TO THE SHED

Visit of Julie Morgan MS

1. From the outset of the establishment of the Lisvane Men’s Shed, the support of elected representatives has been very evident.

2. The Shed has enjoyed frequent visits by Julie Morgan MS, and this year, the Shed was also able to welcome Anna McMorrin MP. We are grateful to them and look forward to the opportunity of receiving them again.

----- Start of picture text -----
Visit of Anna McMorran MP
----- End of picture text -----

1. Shedder, Mike Knight, organised a Sunday lunch at Llanishen Golf Club again this year, and it allowed shedders and partners to enjoy another opportunity of great company.

2. Representatives from the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Wales and the UK visited Lisvane Men’s Shed. Members of the Shed, including veterans, learned a great deal about the support offered to ex-service men and women, as well as their families. The future should see the development of more supportive relationships between the UKMSA and the RBL.

3. A fascinating presentation, at the Shed, by John Evans of Cardiff University on brain research and MRI/CT scans. Members enjoyed an incredibly interesting session. An exceptional afternoon, John is the son of proud shedder, Dave Evans.

LISVANE MEN’S SHED SONG

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed’s “Men’s Shed Song,” composed by singer and songwriter, Ian Shopland, is available to download and listen on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and other media sites.

https://youtu.be/GFws2UPmtAk?feature=shared https://open.spotify.com/artist/0cVCPWCXK6wiDdJGTfe46i

WOODCRAFT

1. Steve Coles and Chris Griffiths made a number of birdhouses, flowerpot men, bug hotels and bat boxes, among other things, in aid of Shed funds during the course of the year.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed individual subscriptions, to meet running costs like insurance etc., remain at £50/year.

DONATIONS

1. Without the kindness of people and organisations looking to support Lisvane Men’s Shed, the Shed would be unable to survive. The Shed is very grateful to Chris Counsell and the Matthew Good Foundation for supporting with a donation again this year that helped to cover running costs such as the annual insurance bill.

2. Donors are recorded in the Register of Donors. Further details are recorded in the Annual Financial Statement and Annual Return submitted to the Charity Commission UK.

----- Start of picture text -----
Matthew Good Foundation
1
----- End of picture text -----

1. It is not only monetary donations that demonstrate people’s belief in the ethos of Lisvane Men’s Shed and recognition of what it is achieving for the community. Lisvane Men’s Shed was so pleased to receive gifts from friends, of tea, coffee and biscuits, critical to our social get togethers at the shed.

GIFT AID

1. Lisvane Men’s Shed benefits from being registered for Gift Aid with HMRC, which applies to subscriptions and individual taxpayer’s donations.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

1. The Annual Accounts have been formalised and, although not required, the trustees have again agreed to have them independently examined as a matter of good practice. Following the presentation of the Annual Accounts to the AGM, they will be submitted to the Charity Commission UK, as statutorily required, along with the Annual Report.

2. The Trustees continue to build a reserve of funds, restricted for funding any business continuity essential that may arise and to be utilised towards acquiring or building a second location for an expansion of the Shed. This reserve is referred to as the “New Building Fund.”

3. The accounts are detailed below and the trustees record their gratitude for the extensive work undertaken by the treasurer.

Lisvane Men’s Shed

Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] August 2025

Receipts and Payments Account

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024/25 2023/24
Receipts £ £ £ £
Member subscriptions 1,350.00 0.00 1,350.00 1,250.00
Member donations 803.50 0.00 803.50 500.00
Other donations 805.00 0.00 805.00 800.00
Grants 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000.00
Craft sales and miscellaneous 711.84 0.00 711.84 1,094.40
Events 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,213.41
Interest 449.87 0.00 449.87 249.41
Gift Aid 305.08 0.00 305.08 0.00
Social Fund 0.00 1,813.00 1,813.00 1,875.40
4,425.29 1,813.00 6,238.29 7,982.62
Payments
Shed supplies 268.37 0.00 268.37 378.05
Insurance 603.41 0.00 603.41 462.96
Web Hosting 192.81 0.00 192.81 134.27
Subscriptions 40.00 0.00 40.00 40.00
Social Fund 0.00 1,457.40 1,457.40 1,578.55
1,104.59 1,457.40 2,561.99 2,593.83
Net receipts /(payments) 3,320.70 355.60 3,676.30 5,388.79
Transfers between funds 246.60 -246.60 0.00 0.00
Shed funds last year end 12,765.54 1,000.00 13,765.54 8,376.75
Shed funds at 31 August 2025 16,332.84 1,109.00 17,441.84 13,765.54
----- End of picture text -----

Lisvane Men’s Shed

Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] August 2025 (continued)

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Assets Bank current account Bank Deposit (35 day notice) Bank Deposit (95 day notice)		31.08.2025 £ 674.06 6,394.09 10,262.19		01.09.2024 £ 1,559.13 12,206.41 0.00
Petty cash		111.50		0.00
Represented by: Restricted funds Grants and Donations Social Fund Unrestricted funds General Reserve New Building Fund		17,441.84 1,000.00 109.00 1,332.84 15,000.00 17,441.84		13,765.54
				1,000.00 0.00 765.54 12,000.00
				13,765.54

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 4[th] September 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

C Griffiths Chairman

P Evans Treasurer

Lisvane Men’s Shed

Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] August 2025 (continued)

Notes to the Accounts

1. Year end. Prior to the current year, accounts were made up to the 1[st] September each year. This has been changed for the current year to 31[st] August.

2. Accounting Policies

3. a. Basis of accounting. The accounts are prepared on a cash basis (receipts and payments) as permitted for small charities by The Charity Commission. Hence income raised in the past to purchase assets, including the shed containers, has been recognised in full in the year it was raised, along with the associated costs.

4. b. Fund accounting.

Unrestricted funds: These may be used at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. The Trustees maintain a General Fund for day to day expenses and a New Building Fund in support of the longer term objective of acquiring a permanent home for the Shed.

Restricted funds: These are for specific purposes, as specified by a donor.

1. Movement on Shed Funds

----- Start of picture text -----
Total Unrestricted Restricted
General New Building Donations Social
Reserve Fund & Grants Fund
£ £ £ £ £
Balances at 2 September 2024 13,765.54 765.54 12,000.00 1,000.00 0.00
Receipts & Payments Account 3,676.30 3,320.70 0.00 0.00 355.60
Transfer 1 - 246.60 - - -246.60
Transfer 2 - -3,000.00 3,000.00 - -
Balances at 31 August 2025 17,441.84 1,332.84 15,000.00 1,000.00 109.00
----- End of picture text -----

Transfer 1 . Social Fund to General Reserve. Shed social activities which involve participating members paying additional amounts (Christmas dinner, excursions etc) are accounted for through the Social Fund. Members have agreed that any surplus at year end may be transferred to the General Fund. At 31[st] August 2025 a transfer of £246.60 was made, leaving £109.00 to cover expenses for an event in September.

Transfer 2 . General Reserve to New Building Fund (both unrestricted). Two transfers totalling £3,000 were approved at the Trustee meetings on 5[th] June and 4[th] September 2025. The Trustees review these reserves each quarter.

CONCLUSION

66. This Annual Report is provided on behalf of the Trustees.

Chris Griffiths Chair Lisvane Men’s Shed

Date 11[th ] September 2025

“A Man’s shed has, for generations, been a place for him to escape the stress and strains of life; a safe haven to gain much needed sanity; to be surrounded by his own, useful things; a place to think, to make things, to mend things, to invent and be at one with the world…”

( Men’s Sheds Cymru)

Useful references:

Email: [e-mail] Website: https://www.lisvanemensshed.co.uk Facebook: Facebook Lisvane Men’s Shed Song The Men's Shed Song - YouTube UKMSA: www.menssheds.org.uk Men’s Sheds Cymru: About Us - Mens Sheds Cymru

---

TRIBUTES

It is with great sadness that we record the passing of a loyal shedder and dear friend, Dave Williams. Dave’s passing was sudden and a great loss to his wife Catherine and their family.

Loved by everyone, his humour, friendship and insistence on doing everything for everyone, has meant he will be forever missed by all who knew him.

Rest in Peace Dave.

It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our shedder and dear friend, Mike Adams. A quiet and reserved gentleman who never missed anything that was going on. He sat with a wry smile at the cheeky banter shared in the Shed.

A genuinely lovely man for whom we will always hold a place in our hearts.

Rest in Peace Mike.

QUOTATIONS

“Thank you. The shed has given him (husband) his life back.”

“ When I joined the Shed, I didn’t think I needed it…Now, I know I need the shed.”

“There is a need for more sheds.”

“… lovely atmosphere of warmth and friendship …” (Visitor)

“When my wife died, I spent a year in the wilderness … The shed saved me.”

“If it wasn’t for the shed, I would be stuck without being able to do anything.”

“I laugh so much in the shed that it hurts …”

“Long live Lisvane Men’s Shed and long live its members.”

“We’re indispensable!” – (laughing response) “No we’re not! There’s a waiting list.”