'It's been a lifesaver' - Govan nurse on the project that's helping a Glasgow community

“There were no real groups in the area, no social ‘escapes’ other than the pub or the bookie’s, and some of them were feeling bored or isolated,” she explains.

“I asked a few of them if they’d like to start up a Men’s Shed and they jumped at the chance. For some of them, it’s been a lifesaver.”

Sarah’s drive and determination in getting the Govan Men’s Shed off the ground, sourcing premises and funding, and helping turn a derelict piece of land into a lovely community space, won her the Glasgow Community Champions Health and Wellbeing Award in 2019.

There are nine trophies up for grabs - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Service Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award, Sports Award and School Award – covering three areas of Glasgow: the south, the north-east and the north-west.

You can nominate anyone, from the hardworking coach of young person’s sports team, to a paramedic who goes above and beyond the day job; from an inspirational teenager making waves at school to a pensioner who campaigns for better services.

Tell us why they should win and remember to include lots of detail and photographs to support your entry.

You can nominate on the website at http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, September 29. A shortlist will then go to a public online vote to determine the winners in each area, who will then progress to the Grand Final at Glasgow City Chambers on December 1.

A judging panel made up of representatives from the awards’ partners, will decide the Grand Final winners.

Sarah adds: “I was amazed and surprised to win the award. I was positive I wouldn’t win but was totally delighted when I did.

“I am so very proud of what the guys have achieved and I was thrilled that what we were doing was recognised.”

Sarah has worked in Govan Health Centre for 17 years.

She trained in Dundee, qualifying in 1989, and her first job was on a neurosurgical ward in Newcastle. After five years as a paediatric nurse in intensive care at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children she worked in Borneo as a school nurse before returning home to Scotland in 2002.

The Men’s Shed reopened in May after months of Covid-enforced closure.

“It’s going from strength to strength and we have been cracking on with all sorts of projects,” smiles Sarah.

“We have been developing more of the outdoors areas for art classes and music sessions, and sprucing up all the wooden structures and getting the place looking good.

“The guys are loving being back and seeing their pals - the banter is flowing again….”

The team is also working on a range of community projects, from repairing playground areas for a local primary school to building a bench for children’s hospice Robin House.

“They are growing veg too, which goes mostly to Urban Roots to use in their Glasgow free foods project, making soup and hot meals for those who are struggling,” adds Sarah.

“The change you can see in some of the guys is huge.

“This place gives them somewhere to belong to, somewhere to meet and make friends and feel some optimism, where before there was none.

“I’m so glad to have been the catalyst to help make it happen.”

She smiles: “That’s exactly the right word to use as the initial grant which got the project off the ground was the Catalysts for Change award from the Queens Nurse Institute Scotland.

“One of the members, John Devlin, says ‘we’re the bricks and Sarah’s the cement’. They are a great bunch, and there’s a real bond between us all now.”

READ MORE: Glasgow Community Champions 2021 - here's all you need to know

Nominate your local heroes for the Glasgow Community Champions awards now - visit the website here http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps for more information and to submit your entry.