It takes a certain kind of nerve to write your own play, perform it on stage, and donate the proceeds to charity. Brian Mooney and Alan Hendry have it in spades.

The two Clydebank actors recently staged Takin' Chances, their own warm and witty Scottish comedy, at the Fort Theatre in Bishopbriggs — and raised more than £200 for Clydebank Men's Shed in the process.

The play tells the story of two slightly bored retired pals who find themselves caught up in an impromptu art exhibition involving fake paintings and an unexpected trip to Spain, where chaos, confusion, and surprises await. If the premise sounds like a couple of mates egging each other on into something daft, that's rather the point.

"The play was a great success and the Men's Shed is such a worthwhile initiative that delivers for the members and the community as a whole," said Alan Hendry.

It was a natural fit. The Men's Shed, tucked away in two green sheds beside Dalmuir Community Centre on Duntocher Road, has been a quiet lifeline for men across Clydebank since it opened its doors in March 2016.

From the Stage to the Workshop Bench

Founded by Ian Petrie after he was inspired by a visit to Oban's Men's Shed, the Clydebank branch started with just eight members meeting in a room at the Town Hall. Today it boasts 125 members, with around 20 regulars dropping in to work with wood, share skills, and — just as importantly — have a cup of tea and a blether.

Joe Gherardi, chair of the Clydebank Men's Shed, has spoken passionately about what the space means to the men who use it.

"You don't even need to do any work," he has said. "Just come for tea, coffee, biscuit and a blether. It's a valuable mental health project — come along and put the world to rights."

The Shed's members include joiners, engineers, cabinet makers, and one man known affectionately as the "Birdman of Cumbernauld" for his handcrafted bird boxes. Joe's own son Douglas, in his thirties, is a regular — proof that the Shed is not just for retirees.

One member, who had not wanted to leave his house for years, found his life changed for the better after becoming a regular. It is a story repeated across the country's 136 Men's Sheds, where the simple act of working alongside others — shoulder to shoulder, rather than face to face — has proved remarkably effective at tackling male loneliness and isolation.

A Community That Gives Back

The £200 raised by Mooney and Hendry's performance will go towards the Shed's running costs and community projects. Over the years, members have supported Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels, Clydemuir Primary School, and care homes in Dumbarton.

Funding has always been a community effort. The Shed sells Christmas items and garden planters, and local sponsors cover phone and Wi-Fi bills. When TG Allan's hardware shop in Helensburgh closed down, the owner donated his entire stock — lock, stock, and barrel.

For Brian and Alan, the stage beckons once more. The pair are appearing in The All Stars production of Antiques, another Scottish comedy set in a care home, at Duntocher Village Hall on April 10 and 11. Tickets are available from Christine Long on 07752 849336.

How to Get Involved

Clydebank Men's Shed is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am. It is based in the grounds of Dalmuir CE Centre, Duntocher Road, Clydebank, G81 4RQ. New members of all ages are welcome — no experience required.

As Joe Gherardi puts it: "Have a laugh, don't take yourself too seriously, have a chat, and in the background you can be productive or not be productive. Do what you like — just go with the flow."

Two men wrote a play, performed it, and gave every penny to a place where other men find purpose, friendship, and a reason to leave the house. That is Clydebank at its finest.