Men’s Shed Stockton Annual trustee report 2025
This year has been exciting and frustrating in equal
measure. In 2024 we needed a great deal of time in order to obtain access to the site from the sea scouts whilst the solicitors thrashed out a transfer of value issue. Having had that resolved we lost an entire summer starting on the site. By the time we were in the building the nights were upon us and a lot of outside work came to a standstill. On the other hand, we acquired Nigel, who is an ex-heating and plumbing engineer, and John, who is an exbuilder. Nigel went round all his contacts and produced for us new lighting, new parts for the central heating, and entirely new toilet and washbasin fittings which were required to make the hall passably habitable. The two of them then set about installing said plumbing and tiling whist Richard made it his personal mission to paint anything that was standing still. We had a contractor in to paint the ceiling and another to remove a wall and open up the kitchen area. Richard walked into Dream Doors in Yarm and convinced the owner to fit us an entirely new kitchen free of charge in order to meet food hygiene standards. Barry set about the outside plumbing and drains, and as the weather improved the building started to look rather more presentable.
Throughout this time, we continued to see new people looking to take part in the project. Trees were felled, as sycamores had started to take over all round the site and we preserved the hawthorn and holly at the request of our neighbours, who were pleased to see something positive going on with the site.
With a very mild spring we started with the workshop with the first step of bringing in a contractor to upgrade the electrics, and are now at the stage of fitting out the workshop. This means all we own is living in the main hall whilst the ceiling has been soundproofed and fireproofed ready for inspection and testing, and the floor has been painted ready to place machinery, storage and heating. This starts in June, and at this time we will end our relationship with St Edwin’s school and move all equipment out of there to our new site.
Throughout this we have seen members come and go, but at present have a core of about 15 who come on a regular basis even though we are not really taking on traditional woodwork in the workshop. We are recording 60 attendances a month at this time, up from 45 last year. We have some woodturners who have expressed an interest in using the building when we have spare capacity, and there has also been an expression of interest from the university of the third age when we finally commission the hall. These will provide
income streams for projects as we address fundraising. We also have our first woman member, and she is considering trusteeship as we develop the social potential of the hall. To that end we are installing AV facilities, and are now in a position to offer decent toilet and kitchen facilities.
Once all the buildings are complete we are planning to have an open day where we can invite our neighbours, and other stakeholders, and hopefully be able to promote our shed more widely across Stockton. As we are aiming to attract more people to attend and benefit from both our facilities and a friendly environment.
By the winter season we look to having a working hall and heated workshop able to serve the needs of the local community. It is gratifying that our present members see the vision and appreciate working together as a community. We have received appreciative feedback from the local community, and look forward to a year where we will establish ourselves as a centre for meeting and fellowship.
Finally, a special thank you to all those who have shared our vision and supported us with grant funding and low price, and sometimes free, equipment and materials, without this support we could not have move so far or as quickly as we have done.
Peter Dawson -Secretary-Stockton Men’s Shed.
2025 Draft Annual Accounts
Income
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Membership (annual) | £ 126 |
| Shed Vists | £ 725 |
| Fundraising | £ 150 |
| Grants | £ 7,751 |
| Donations | £ 182 |
| Rental | £ 2,560 |
| £ 11,494 |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Electricity | £959 |
| Gas | £447 |
| Water | £382 |
| Rent | £12 |
| Materials | £1,323 |
| Equipment | £7,096 |
| Miscellaneous | £55 |
| UKMSA Membership | £30 |
| Insurance | £308 |
| Phone | £624 |
| Sub-contract | £4,235 |
| Legal Fees | £0 |
| £15,473 | |
| Out turn | (3,979) |