Moderator officially opens new community 'Shed' project in Ayrshire

An East Ayrshire church has officially launched a new community project aimed at improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation.

John Knox Parish Church in Stewarton is encouraging men and women over 18 to come together to learn new practical skills to make, repair and repurpose objects.

Known as Stewarton Community Shed, or simply The Shed, it was officially opened by Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, yesterday.

Open on Thursdays from 10am-1pm, the project encourages people to work on their own and in a group setting with tools and equipment in a safe environment.

Based in John Knox Parish Church, its mission statement says: "Feel good about yourself, be productive, contribute to the community, connect with friends and maintain an active body, mind and soul.

"New members will be given training in safe working practices for tools regardless of their previous experience or knowledge."

Dr Paterson is no stranger to the value of skilled manual work and supported himself through university by working as a tiler.

He described the project as a "wonderful resource" for the community and was honoured to be asked to open it.

Speaking after he cut a red ribbon to declare the project officially open, the Moderator said: "Men in particular can find it hard to share how they feel.

"The Shed will promote good mental health by enabling people to come together and chat as they work shoulder to shoulder".

Not content with simply being a bystander, Dr Paterson put on safely glasses and an apron to try his hand at a spot of woodturning.

He joked: "It was wonderful to see a shed that was bigger and more tidy, and contained many more tools than my own shed at home.

"It was fun to try my hand at wood turning, I just wished there was more time to try many more of the tools and machines within The Shed.

"I echo the value of a place where activities can help with wellbeing – the value of meeting together, working together, sharing knowledge and most especially having a conversation with others while working on a project."

The Shed is part of Thrive Stewarton, an initiative set up by John Knox Parish Church and the Presbytery of the South West to support people in their 20s to 40s "outside the walls" of the church.

It provides a range of activities to serve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health needs.

The Moderator was joined at the official launch ceremony by church members and community representatives including Councillor John McGhee, Depute Provost of East Ayrshire.

Dr Paterson presented certificates in recognition of the hard work and dedication of church member and project leader Jim Lygate and local builder Hugh Montgomery.

Flowers were presented and the Moderator was gifted with a spurtle made by members of Thrive Stewarton's employability group.

By return, he presented Thrive's mission pioneer Pete Anderson with a special tile made to commemorate his Moderatorial year.

A special plaque to mark the official opening of The Shed is proudly on display.

Mr Anderson said: "On a warm and sunny afternoon it was wonderful to bring together and say thank you to all the local businesses, organisations and volunteers that have supported the build.

"The Shed is about improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation in our local community.

"Connection, conversation and creation – that's what joining a shed is all about."

Mr Anderson said an employability project has also started at the Shed with unemployed men working on an oak town sign to be sited at the crossroads in the centre of the town.

Participant James said, "I enjoy coming along to Thrive and learning how to use the tools and making stuff and getting to know folk.

"I'll be able to say I made that."

Thrive Stewarton, which is backed by a variety of organisations such as the Church, Arnold Clark Community Foundation and East Ayrshire Council, hosts a wide range of activities to support the local community.

They include a "Roots and Shoots" growing project, the Renew wellbeing cafe, Baby Beats parent and baby music groups and walk and talk sessions.

As well as people just walking in, the project receives referrals from local GPs, community connectors and mental health practitioners.

Thrive Stewarton host Alpha courses and later this year hopes to launch "Bubble Church", a puppet-packed, Jesus-centred, 30-minute Sunday service for families to worship together.

Rev Gavin Niven, minister of John Knox Parish Church, said: "Thrive has been a great support to many in our community helping some along their faith journey and others simply to find community and friendship.

"Volunteers from John Knox have also found new gifts and talents in helping with Thrive initiatives and the church itself has found new impetus in connecting with and welcoming the community into its midst."

For more information about The Shed, email shed@thrivestewarton.org.

Meanwhile, Dr Paterson attended worship and preached at Kilwinning Abbey Church in North Ayrshire yesterday morning.

He visited the historic church in lieu of being unable to attend a special service of thanksgiving to mark its 250th anniversary in November.

Described as a "beacon of hope and service" to the community, the church stands on the site of its 16th-century predecessor, which itself was built within the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey, founded in approximately 1188.

The anniversary was been marked in the Scottish Parliament with a motion lodged by West of Scotland Labour MSP Katy Clark.

Signed by cross-party MSPs, it notes that the church is "still at the heart" of the community 250 years later and commends it on its work to "support the community of Kilwinning".