By Bill Allan
The Stonehaven Men’s Shed, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Stonehaven and NHS hospitals across Scotland, is part of a remarkable initiative called STAND, previously Legs4Africa.
The project collects used prosthetic limbs — no longer suitable for UK patients — and refurbishes them for amputees in countries like The Gambia, Senegal, and Zambia.
Led by shedder Willie Shepherd, and supported by other Shed volunteers, the members meticulously disassemble, label, and package components including sockets, feet, and knee and ankle joints and connectors. These parts, once destined for disposal, now offer dignity and mobility to survivors of landmines, accidents, and illness abroad.
Stonehaven Shed has just had a batch of around 50 used prosthetics delivered by Rotary and these are now being processed. This will add to the total of enough parts over the last 3-4 years to construct over 500 prosthetic limbs in these African countries.
These parts are forwarded by Stonehaven Men’s Shed via STAND in Bristol.
The collaboration between healthcare providers, community volunteers and Rotary has transformed a practical idea into a life-changing movement — with Stonehaven Men’s Shed proudly standing as the only shed in Scotland doing this work.
Previously in The Bellman