A major change this year has been the appointment of new trustees following the AGM and a subsequent trustee’s meeting and further change of a trustee throughout the year was in line with our constitution.
Our single biggest bugbear has been changing the signatories to our bank account. This process took in excess of 6 months and was a real hinderance to the work of the charity. We missed out on some grant applications due to us not being able to provide bank statements. It has only been in the last month that we have had access to both the bank statements and bank cards to pay money in and out of our accounts,
We have now been offered a 20-year lease by SBC. This will enable us to apply more easily for funding going forward. After taking legal advice from a solicitor the trustees unanimously approved of this change.
The trustees have embarked on a program to begin the refurbishment of the building. We have been very fortunate to have been gifted a servery from Howdens and our thanks go to the team of Shed members who worked tirelessly to fit the units and plumbing as well as the management at Howdens.
We made contact with Galashiels Academy to see if we were able to acquire any equipment before they moved to the new school, they put us in touch with the regional technician who has become a fantastic supporter of the Shed.
A major issue for members over the winter was our inadequate heating system. We have had an energy survey done and are in the process of seeking permission from SBC to do the required work. Once we get permission we can then begin applying for grants and seeking match funding. SBC have given permission for us to replace the front steps, refurbish the toilets and put in a 3m square decking.
Our public engagement efforts over the last 8 months have been wide and varied with us touching the lives of many people in the locality and beyond.
Asda recognised the contribution of the Shed to the community with a diamond award. We have provided mud kitchens to several schools and services. We completely refurbished the Langlee centre notice board and created a bespoke Community notice board at the Spar. We supported the Langlee Carnival in May and held our Shed open day simultaneously. We provided practical support to Carr Gom in Melrose and the House of Hope, Scotland’s only bespoke Breast Cancer House.. A local pétanque team commissioned Twa Corbies as their team emblem. We increased our presence on Facebook. An advert has been in recent editions of Gala Life explaining the work of the Shed.
We have continued to engage positively with LAC and have developed a relationship with the Special Unit at Galashiels Academy. Various repairs and commissions have been undertaken.
We have built very positive relationships with BCA who have been very supportive of the work of the Shed.
Finally, and most importantly we have seen a growth in membership and in attendance throughout the last 8 months. We are very grateful to the members for their can-do attitude and forbearance during the ongoing refurbishment. We are heartened by the number of members who attended regularly on soup Thursdays, our Christmas lunch and our BBQ.
Chair on behalf of the Trustees Galashiels Men’s Shed
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