Dingwall & District Men's Shed reducing SOGial isolation TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 CO￿espOndenCe Address: The Trustees present their report with the Independent Examiner's Report of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Objectives and Activities The Dingwall Men's Shed opened in January 2017 and gained charitable status on 18 March 2017. The Charity's activities are directed by Trustees who meet informally on a weekly basis and formally every quarter. The constitution states that the main aim is to "address the social, health and well- being needs of men of all ages and backgrounds living in Dingwall and surrounding areas. through the creation, upkeep and development of facilities in which men can meet and jointly or individually undertake creative, physical and recreational activities of their choice. ideas and pass on knowledge actively pursue hobbies and pastimes work on projects that will aid the community and help develop a positive sense of achievement. have a place to go and relax, drink a 'cuppa', discuss issues, share concerns and talk, knowing they are among friends. encourage general physical and rnental well-being. Achievements and Performance Following the damaging COVID period the last two years has seen our charity bounce back in tenns of membership and progress in constructing the Community Craft Village. The Craft Village as planned is complete. It consists of a Poly-tunnel, a Log Cabin, an Art and Craft Unit, a Social Unit and Metal and Wood Workshop in addition to separate workshop for wood tuming and kindling. The major hurdle of Road Widening for FRSS access has been overcome. Once again, we have been extremely fortunate in attracting members who have the necessary skills and experience which have been central to the speed of the development. Other members have assisted enthusiastically. Whilst the Charity grew rapidly from an initial membership of 6 to 36 over its first three years, membership had fallen to 30 active members. This year, however, membership has increased to over 50. The Charity continues to help people who have, for many reasons, become entirely disengaged from their communities and are struggling to cope with their isolation. One member has stated that membership assisted his recovery from suicidal idealisation back to full employment and renewed social involvement. The Shed acts as a neutral gateway back into the Community. It is not based upon a medical or social work organisational model and, whilst help is available through established networks, if individuals request assistance, engagement is achieved through social interaction, a sense of purpose and activities. An average of 16-18 members attend on Wednesday and 14 on Fridays. It is hoped that some of our passive members retum now the construction process Is completed. In addition, the NHS use the facility twice a week currently. Usage includes community nurses, mental health teams and patients. occupational therapists have booked a women's shed group from July. The facility is also used by the Ross-shire writing group. Financial Review The financial statement is presented on Page 6. The Trustees, whilst welcoming grants and donations, decided to pursue trading income as the principal means of meeting our running costs. This decision was made in recognition of the current era of austerity and the diminishing possibility of grant income. Trading income will depend on government restrictions. The Shed's income relies on organised attractions such as street fayres, craft events and seasonal events. Principal Risks and Uncertainties The first uncertainty is membershiplusage The village was built to accommodate up to 100 memberslusers once complete. Trustees need to develop strategies to market the facility and attract finance to maintain it. A strategy will be developed to increase membership through publicity and partnerships with statutory and third sector organisations. The second issue will require the resumption of our income raising schemes coupled with more grant applications and local fundraising. Going Concern The Trustees consider that they have secured sufficient funding for the year ahead to continue as a going concem. Plans for Future Periods Targets for future development of Dingwall and District Men's Shed Include: 1. Membership and usage Wtthout members and users, the need for the Shed would not exist. To achieve the aim of becoming a signtficant sponsor for the improvement of people's health and wellbeing, a strong membership is vital. The concept of creating a community craft village with a Men's Shed as the core will continue. In line with this objective we will prioritize connecting mains water to the site and at some future date explore the addition of Pottery to our activities. As already mentioned a wood tuming facility has been added this year and an active craft group now meets weekly. 2. Partnerships These will be developed with other third sector organisations, local businesses, and public bodies. The local NHS use our facility for staff and patient groups including Occupational Therapists who formed a Women's Shed for patients utilising the workshops. We are now a member of the Highland Third Sector Interface and have full membership of the Scottish Men's Shed Association. 3. Income An income stream of between £5000 and £10000 p.a., excluding grants, will be targeted. Structure Governance and Management The Organisation is a Scottish Registered Charity (SCIO Number SC047255) incorporated on 18 March 2017. The Charity has a constitution and in the evenl of it being wound up, netther the Members nor Trustees have any financial obligation. Permission has been granted by OSCR to alter the name of our charity to Dingwall and District Men's Shed to more accurately reflect our membership. We have also asked permission frorn OSCR to remove the requirement for office bearers to stand down annually for re-election. We believe that every three years is more practical. Trustees Trustees'Appointment Trustees are appointed at the AGM by the Membership, initially for a Period of 3 years. The Trustees meet informally on a weekly basis and formally every quarter to discuss how the Charity is meeting its objectives. Statement of Trustses. Responsibilities The Trustees have a duty to maintain the Charity through adherence to the responsibilities set out in the Constitution which is based on the SCVO Model. Report signed by: Din wall Mens Shed Receipts and Payments Financial Year 1st April 2024 - 31 st March 2025 7470.08 Opening Balance 2024125 Reporting Period 1st April 2024- 15 January 2025 Operational Income 2024125 Unrestricted Funds- £ 8,026.87 Restricted Funds-£ Total - £ FY23- 24 2, 098.52 Total - £ Donations 8,026.87 Grants & Donalions - Restricted 500.00 500.00 300.OQ Grants - Unrestricted 0.00 0.00 Fundraisin l Fa res 414.80 414.80 1.006.50 Tradin activities - SOGS 2.631.50 2,631.50 2.559. 70 Room Hire 1.190.00 1,190.00 Other 879.71 879.71 o.oo TOTAL 13,142.88 500.00 13,642.88 5,964. 72 Operational Expenditure 2024125 3,746.40 erational Costs 3,746.40 8,064.10 Restricted Ex enditure 500.00 500.00 0.00 Tools & Machine 995.36 995.36 309.83 Tradin Activities - COGS 546.67 546.67 9.29 Crealion of Float 40 40.00 0.00 Other 947.99 947.99 422.00 TOTAL 6.276.42 500.00 6,776.42 8,805.22 SURPLUS For Reporting Period 2024125 ffotal opewating incorne minus totsl operatlng ¢xperKlitur¢l 6,866.46 0.00 6.866.46 -2,840.50 Opening Balance 370.08 7,100.00 7,470.08 10,310.58 Closing Balance for Reporting Period 7,236.54 7,100.00 14,336.54 7,470.08 STATEMENT OF BALANCES Unrestricted Restricted Total Balance 2023124 Cash & Bank Balance at stsrt of financial year 370.08 7.100.00 7.470.08 10,310.58 -2,840.50 Suwus {defi¢ill for current period 6.866.46 6,866.46 Cash & Bank Balance at End of Reporting Period 7.236.54 7.100.1)0 14,336.54 7,470.08 esignation hairman Signature ecretary reasurer Final Approval Date APPENDIX 3 Scottish Charity Regulatof Report to the trusteeslmembers of Dingwall and District Men's Shed Registered charity SC047255 number On the accounts of the charity for the perlod Period start date Month Period end date Day Oay 01 8024 to 31 D3 2C125 Set out on pages Irwnernber to include ¢he page numbers crfa of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independenl My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts examiner's statement Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounis presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently. I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examinerfs In the course of my examination. no matter has come to my attention [other than that statement disclosed on the attached page"] which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) {a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounling records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body Institute cf Chartered Accountants Scotland (if any): 2nd September 2025 Address: Mackay & Co 3 Fodderty Way Dingwall IV15 9XB 'Please delete the words in the br8L*ets if they do rK)t apply. If the words do apply. set out those rnattws which have come to your attention on the folloywn9 page. APPENDIX 3 Disclosure section Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose