The Inverclyde Shed doesn’t exist in isolation, we thrive because we are part of meaningful and diverse networks that support what we do. 

This, most importantly, help us connect us to others so that can 'Meet, Make, Grow + Share'.

Community networking is creating valuable relationships with like-minded people by engaging within a network of individual organisations who share an interest, vision or purpose that we also value and wish to learn more about.

A ‘network’ requires a flat transparent relationship, built around respect, peer support and sharing knowledge.

We are part of the Scottish Men’s Shed Association’s network of over 180 sheds all over Scotland, a few are like us from their community and admit anyone over 18.

The focus on men is because men of certain ages they statistically harder to reach out to, they find it harder to connect with others and they find it harder to share problems.

Shed members attending our workshops and gardens find friendship, activities, new skills and can pass on some of their own experience and knowledge to others.

Our spaces are open, friendly and supportive between peer to peer but with clear safety rules and safeguarding policies to ensure the wellbeing of all members.

(Image: Inverclyde Shed)

Last week we hosted visits (pictured) from our pals at the Milngavie and Bearsden Men's Shed and from the Barrhead Men’s Shed.

Both groups wanted to visit to see how we do things, our safety processes, how we automate a lot of the admin required to be a well governed 100% volunteer led membership organisation with over 440 members.

Likewise, we were delighted to find out how they do things and to organise reciprocal visits. All over a friendly cuppa, sandwiches, home-made soup, pickles and honey from our gardens.

Our garden teams are also part of a local and regional wider grassroots grower’s network. 

This means we benefit from Blooming Inverkip hosting a RHS / Keep Scotland Beautiful event where allotments, community gardens and others who came together to learn about each other.

It also means that we can plan group visits to see Dunoon goes Pop’s ‘Flavour Garden’ and see the productive ‘no dig’ methods and biochar experiments of Grow Food Project. All whilst exchanging ideas and knowledge with gardens from right along the Clyde from the inspiring Organic Growers of Fairlie group to the irrepressible Grow 73 in Glasgow.

Our networks also extend to bodies like Circular Scotland and Community Land Scotland.

They help us access a wider national network so that we can share experiences and learn how others do things through visits that can be supported through the Community Learning Exchange by the Scottish Community Alliance Network is best when it’s built, developed and sustained from the grassroots.