Annual Report for the Year Ended 30th September 2025
The trustees of Saintfield Men’s Shed (SMS) are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements for the period 1[st] October 2024 to 30th September 2025.
Overview
Saintfield Men’s Shed (SMS) was established as a registered charity in Northern Ireland in July 2021 (Charity No. NI108146). Operating from rented premises at 35 Main Street, Saintfield, the Shed is open four days per week and provides a welcoming environment for men aged 18 and over. Membership is offered at a cost of £10 per calendar month.
SMS aims to create a supportive, inclusive space where members can build friendships, participate in practical activities, develop new skills, and access learning opportunities. Our core purpose is to reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections among men in Saintfield and the surrounding areas.
Structure and Governance
The trustees of SMS serve as the organisation’s steering committee, meeting at least every two months to review financial matters, monitor group progress, and plan future activities. Minutes of all committee meetings are formally recorded and made available to members.
Trustees are elected annually at the general meeting, and membership is open to anyone who wishes to participate. In line with the SMS constitution, the principal office bearers Chair, Treasurer and Secretary must have served on the committee for at least one year before taking up these positions.
SMS continues to maintain a strong working relationship with the County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN), which provides procedural guidance and acts as the independent examiner of our annual accounts.
Activities During the Reporting Period
Throughout the reporting period, SMS members took part in a wide range of educational, cultural, and practical activities that strengthened skills, built confidence, and deepened community connections.
Key highlights included:
• Wood-turning demonstrations and inter-Shed engagement:
Members participated in hands-on wood-turning sessions and took part in reciprocal visits with other Men’s Sheds across Northern Ireland. These exchanges encouraged skill-sharing, collaboration, and the development of new friendships within the wider Men’s Shed network.
- Visit to Saintfield Brownies – Nesting Box Project
On 20 January 2025, a team of Shed members visited the Saintfield Brownies after preparing a set of bird-nesting-box kits specially designed for the group.
During a lively and creative evening, each Brownie assembled her own nesting box with guidance and encouragement from our volunteers, learning practical skills while contributing to local wildlife support.
Every brownie proudly took her completed nesting box home to help nature in her own garden. The brownies also made a very generous donation to the Shed in appreciation of the time, effort, and enthusiasm our members dedicated to this rewarding community project.
- Intergenerational collaboration with Saintfield High School:
A particularly meaningful initiative involved a creative partnership with 10 pupils from Saintfield High School. SMS members shared their woodworking knowledge and life experience, guiding pupils in decorating a handcrafted beech bench using pyrography tools.
The artwork incorporated local geography, including placenames and townlands, and was complemented by original poems written by SMS members—creating a unique piece that celebrated both local heritage and intergenerational learning.
Public celebration and bench unveiling:
The completed bench was formally unveiled by the Chair of the Saintfield Community Association at a well-attended community event. The occasion brought together SMS members, local residents, High School pupils and their families, highlighting the positive impact of the project and strengthening community pride.
The Menshed members provided a barbeque for everyone present and local press attended to mark the significant event.
On the 17th June 2025 the Saintfield Community celebrated the success of the intergenerational arts collaboration with Linking Generations NI. The whole community enjoyed a BBQ cooked Men’s Shed members and the unveiling by the Chair of Saintfield Community Association at Saintfield Men's Shed.
Pupils from Saintfield High School joined forces with Saintfield Men's Shed to create a handcrafted bench using the art of pyrography for the community to enjoy. A local artist facilitated the arts sessions over a couple of months supporting the intergenerational group to develop their ideas and skills.
The completed bench is hand decorated with designs focused on local history, landmarks and interests. The finished art piece which will act as a beautiful art legacy for all of the community to enjoy as well as a reminder of the project.
The project funded by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland Lottery Good Causes Rural Engagement in Arts Programme.
-
Members created many wooden benches and planters which have been positioned throughout the local community thereby improving the village aesthetically and in turn promoting the presence of the Shed.
-
Trevor Dickson Photography Fundraising Event
On 18 July 2025, Saintfield Men’s Shed hosted a highly successful photography evening led by member and international photographer Trevor Dickson at the Saintfield Cricket Club. The venue was filled to capacity, with strong support from the local community and Shed members alike. Trevor delivered an engaging and insightful presentation, sharing his expertise, stories from behind the lens, and a selection of his most striking images. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and appreciative, reflecting both the quality of Trevor’s work and the strong community spirit surrounding the Shed.
The event also served as an important fundraiser, generating much-needed income of over £250 to support the ongoing activities and running costs of the Shed. In an exceptional gesture of generosity, Trevor donated his speaker’s fee back into the Shed’s funds, further boosting the total raised and demonstrating his personal commitment to the group’s success. The evening not only strengthened community ties but also showcased the talent within the Shed, making it a memorable highlight of the year.
During the interval, Shed Committee member Leslie Frew delivered a thoughtful and heartfelt message highlighting the importance of regular prostate cancer checks. Speaking from personal experience and with genuine sincerity, Leslie encouraged men to take their health seriously and to seek medical advice promptly if they have any concerns. His contribution added a meaningful and reflective moment to the evening, reminding attendees that the Shed is not only a place for friendship and shared interests but also a community that looks out for one another’s wellbeing.
• Digital Skills Development Through High School Partnership
Saintfield High School generously organised a series of evening classes, provided at no cost, specifically tailored to help our members build confidence in essential digital skills. These sessions were extremely well received, offering practical, hands-on learning in a supportive environment.
The initiative not only equipped Shed members with valuable new abilities but also further deepened our positive and growing partnership with the school, demonstrating the benefits of intergenerational collaboration within the local community.
• Visit to HMS Caroline, Belfast
On 28 February 2025, a large group of Shed members, joined by participants from several neighbouring Men’s Sheds enjoyed a memorable visit to the historic HMS Caroline in Belfast. The outing included an excellent guided tour, during which members learned in depth about the ship’s remarkable history, its role during the First World War, and its preservation as a unique heritage attraction.
The visit was both educational and thoroughly enjoyable, offering members an opportunity to socialise, explore a significant piece of maritime history, and strengthen connections with other local Sheds.
- Business in the Community – Danske Bank Cyber Awareness Event
On 25 March 2025, the Danske Bank Cyber Security team delivered an excellent and highly informative cyber-awareness session for our members at the local Community Centre. Organised through Business in the Community, the event provided practical guidance on staying safe online, recognising scams, and protecting personal information.
The session was very well received and offered valuable knowledge that will help our members navigate the digital world with greater confidence
• Craft Fair at Rowallane Gardens and Christmas Sale
The Shed participated in both the Rowallane Gardens Craft Fair in May and the Christmas Sale in the Second Presbyterian Church in December, operating a stall at each event.
These occasions proved highly successful, generating significant funds to support the Shed’s ongoing activities. They also provided valuable opportunities for community outreach, allowing us to showcase members’ craftsmanship, raise awareness of the Shed’s work, and engage with a wide range of local residents .
• Christmas Dinner event
A Christmas dinner social event, attended by nearly all members on 10[th] December 2024 featuring a catered meal and an end-of-year quiz. The event allowed the Shed members to reflect on the year’s accomplishments whilst recognising members’ contributions and efforts. It was a real boost to morale and motivation for the upcoming year.
Key Achievements
Key Achievements during reporting period
During the reporting period, Saintfield Men’s Shed delivered a wide range of initiatives that strengthened community connections, enhanced member wellbeing, and showcased the skills and generosity of our members. The
following five achievements highlight the positive impact of our work across Saintfield and the surrounding area.
1. Deepened Community Engagement and Local Partnerships
The Shed significantly expanded its engagement with the local community through collaborative projects with groups such as the Saintfield Brownies, Saintfield High School, and neighbouring Men’s Sheds. These partnerships not only increased the Shed’s visibility but also demonstrated our commitment to supporting local organisations and contributing meaningfully to community life.
2. Improved Member Wellbeing and Social Connection
A varied programme of activities including educational visits, creative workshops, and social events helped reduce isolation and provided members with regular opportunities to connect, share experiences, and enjoy companionship. Events such as the HMS Caroline visit and the photography evening at Saintfield Cricket Club played an important role in fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
3. Development of Practical and Digital Skills
Members benefited from hands-on learning experiences ranging from woodworking and craft projects to digital-skills classes delivered by Saintfield High School. These opportunities helped build confidence, encourage lifelong learning, and promote intergenerational exchange, with members both gaining new skills and sharing their own expertise with younger participants.
4. Successful Fundraising to Support Sustainability
Several initiatives generated valuable financial support for the Shed, including the photography evening led by Trevor Dickson and the generous donation from the Saintfield Brownies following the nesting-box workshop. These contributions help sustain the Shed’s activities, maintain equipment, and support future community projects.
5. Promotion of Health Awareness and Member Safety
The Shed continued to prioritise member wellbeing, highlighted by Leslie Frew’s impactful message on the importance of prostate cancer checks during the photography evening. By encouraging men to take proactive steps in managing their health, the Shed reinforced its role as a supportive environment where members look out for one another.
6. Cross-border cooperation between Men’s Sheds .
The Shed developed further cross border cooperation seen through the partnership between Saintfield Men’s Shed and Trim Men’s Shed provided several key benefits:
Cultural Exchange: Members have gained insight into different traditions, perspectives, and ways of working, fostering mutual understanding and camaraderie.
Skill Sharing: Collaboration allows members to learn new skills, techniques, and best practices from other sheds, enhancing both personal and group development.
Community Engagement: Joint initiatives create opportunities for greater outreach and impact, benefiting wider communities on both sides of the border.
Stronger Advocacy and Visibility: A united front across regions strengthens the voice of Men’s Sheds, raising awareness of their positive impact and attracting support from policymakers and sponsors.
Finance and Funding
SMS primarily relies on membership fees for its operations. However, additional funding has been secured through grants from various organisations. Notably, a substantial grant from the National Lottery has facilitated the expansion of our workshop. We also received monies from DAERA, Groundworks NI and CDRCN to help with ongoing expenses such as rent and utilities. We also raise some money through sales to allow us to cover the cost of materials and a small amount to cover wear and tear on equipment.
Public Benefit
SMS continues to fulfil its mission as outlined in our constitution by providing a venue for men to socialise, develop skills, and access relevant healthcare information. The positive impact of SMS extends well beyond its members, enriching the wider community in numerous ways. By fostering social connections and promoting lifelong learning, SMS contributes to improved mental health and well-being, reducing isolation and loneliness among men.
Our commitment to skill-sharing benefits the broader community, as members apply their expertise to voluntary initiatives such as the construction of outdoor furniture for local schools and participation in arts projects. These activities not only provide tangible improvements to public spaces but also encourage intergenerational learning and collaboration.
Through partnerships with local organisations and cross-border cooperation, SMS strengthens community ties, supports social cohesion, and creates opportunities for engagement that would not otherwise exist. By continuously expanding our outreach and participation, SMS serves as a catalyst for positive change, enhancing the overall quality of life for both its members and the community at large.
Looking Ahead
This annual report highlights SMS’s commitment to strengthening social connections, enhancing skill development, and fostering community engagement. Guided by strong governance and sound financial stewardship, we are proud of our
achievements and remain dedicated to supporting the well-being of our members and the broader community in the year ahead.
Signed Iggy O’Doherty Secretary Stephen Wilson Treasurer Colin Fleet Chairman