Future of 'life-saving' Men's Sheds in Ayrshire is brought under threat after Scottish Government pull the plug on funding

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Question marks hang over the future of up to 10 Ayrshire Men’s Sheds - after the news that the Scottish Government is due to stop all statutory funding in 2023.The decision to end funding has been labelled a “short-sighted retrogressive step” by opponents in Ayrshire.The call to pull the plug on funding has been met with dismay by opponents.It has prompted up to 40 MSPs to sign a petition in an attempt to reverse the cuts.Around Ayrshire, there a host of Men’s Sheds, including Girvan and District, Ayr and Prestwick, Garnock Valley, Harbourside (Irvine), Irvine Valley, Irvine Newtown, Cumnock, Auchinleck, Dalry and Three Towns.A spokesperson for Irvine Newtown Men's Shed said: “We at Irvine Newtown Men Shed regard the decision to end funding of Men's Sheds as a short sighted retrogressive step which will return us to the old days when there was absolutely no provision for retired and unemployed men everywhere.“It is literally a life saver for most of our members.”South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has pledged his support for the Men’s Shed movement.Thousands of men benefit from more than 200 Men’s Sheds across Scotland, with dozens in towns across the south of Scotland.The facilities offer community spaces for men to connect and develop new hobbies, with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation.Colin Smyth added his name to a cross party list of 40 MSPs, urging the Deputy First Minister to reverse the decision.He said: “Alongside many of my colleagues from across the political divide, I am calling on the Deputy First Minster to reverse the shocking decision to withdraw funding.“The Men’s Shed movement has proven themselves as a vital resource benefiting men’s health and wellbeing.“Men’s Sheds help tackle isolation and