Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2026

The search is on for Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year 2026 recognising the role sheds play in supporting men’s health, wellbeing, and connection across the country.

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “Our awards programme has come a long way since it first launched back in 2019, just like the movement itself. Today, we’re immensely proud to now support more than 12,000 men, all volunteers, across over 210 open or developing Shed groups in every one of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.

“We want to hear your Shed’s story through the Awards application and celebrate the incredible work you’ve delivered over the past 12 months and give it the recognition it deserves.”

The awards will again recognise excellence across five regional categories:
    •    East Coast (North)
    •    East Coast (South)
    •    West Coast (North)
    •    West Coast (South)
    •    Highlands & Islands
Each region will crown its own winner, with all five progressing into the running for the national title. From there, the SMSA board will select three finalists who will go forward to a public vote to decide the overall winner.

Applications close June 30, winner announced August 28.

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Shrewsbury Men's Shed named UK Men's Shed of the Year

Large congratulations to Shrewsbury Men’s Shed for winning the 2024 UK Men's Shed of the Year trophy (Shedworking is particularly pleased about this since it's the birthplace of it's Head of Content). Here's what their shortlisting says about them:

Shrewsbury Men’s Shed has achieved a huge amount in their three years. The Shed are a real community space, hosting other charities and organisations regularly, offering their space and friendship to people with dementia, men with cancer, woodturners and a horticulture group. The Shed have undertaken some huge projects, like restoring Percy Thrower’s greenhouse and even building and running a ferry service, providing a connection to town that previously didn’t exist. The Shed are currently supporting the Afghan families located at a nearby army camp by welcoming them to their Shed for cooking and craft, and are even supporting the development of two Sheds for Afghan men and women at the army camp. The Shed aim for all they do to benefit their Shedders, their community, and their environment.

Also a big well done to the following:

• Pontypridd Mens Shed for winning the Shed Partnership of the Year 2024 Award
• Rhyl Men’s Shed for winning the Community Project of the Year award 
• Caerau Men’s Shed for winning the Health and Wellbeing of the Year Award 
• Mark Mantle, of Ludlow Men’s Shed for winning the Volunteer of the Year Award

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UK Men’s Sheds Association to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer

The UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) is looking for a new inspirational CEO to lead the hugely important national charity through the next stage of its development after six years with Charlie Bethel in the role. More details about how to apply here but key points are that the fulltime job comes with a salary in the £65,000- £70,000 price range and that it is largely a working from home job (so ideal for shedworkers) but with travel to meetings and events which may involve overnight stays.

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Men's Shed of the Year Awards and Diageo alcohol campaign

Our various Men's Sheds organisations are as busy, busy, busy as ever. In Scotland, there's not much time left to vote in the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2024 Awards which "recognise, reward and promote the contribution Men’s Sheds make and the huge life-changing impact that they are having on the people of Scotland and in our communities". Winners announced October 4 and you can still vote here until September 15.

Meanwhile, Diageo has begun an 18-month pilot project with the UK Men’s Sheds Association, to co-develop a programme of activity to encourage alcohol moderation. Managing director of Diageo Great Britain Nuno Teles, said: “By partnering together we aim to expand their impactful work by improving men’s wellbeing and raising awareness about alcohol moderation. Together, we want to empower individuals and create more connected communities. Having visited the Men’s Shed in Camden, I have seen the positive impact these spaces have in nurturing a sense of purpose and belonging within the community. It was a joy to meet the Shedders and discuss how we can collaborate to drive meaningful progress.”

Chief executive officer of UK Men’s Sheds, Charlie Bethel commented: “This programme will deliver a positive impact on Shedders, and I hope, the wider population, to provide a greater understanding of our relationship with alcohol and develop more positive social habits; particularly as we age."

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Shedfest 2024: Picture roundup

It's been the UK Men's Sheds annual Shedfest today at the University Arena at Worcester University. Here are some images of the day, courtesy the university, Chris Lee, Phil Parkes, Warm Welcome UK, Sam Moon, and Tackle Prostate Cancer.

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Shedfest 2024

The UK Men’s Sheds Association annual jamboree, Shedfest, returns on July 11. Held at at Worcester University Area from 9am until 4pm, tickets are free and include lunch. As well as the afternoon AGM, there will be chances to meet shedders from sheds all around the UK, plus talks on technology, mental health and DBS mythbusting. As usual there will also be live demonstrations.

Organisers say it's looking like it will feature the event's largest ever exhibition hall, not to mention prizes for the best turned item, and the best animal habitat. Tickets are available here.
 

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UK Men’s Sheds Association launch new Shed beer

The UK Men’s Sheds Association and Hobson’s Brewery have collaborated to produce ‘Shed’, a light aromatic IPA with less than 0.5% alcohol.

According to the association: "‘Shed’ provides an opportunity for people to enjoy the taste of a good pale ale without the alcohol and at the same time raise funds and awareness for the UK Men’s Sheds Association." Hobsons describe it as: "a light alcohol free beer in the style of an Indian Pale Ale. With a large dose of hops, this beer has a captivating smell of citrus and tropical fruits, followed by a pleasant bitterness." It's also only 22 calories a bottle.

You can order it at the Hobson's Brewery website.

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Men Don't Talk: shed-based theatre

Readers with fine memories will recall we previously mentioned this play Men Don't Talk constructed in collaboration with the Scottish Men's Sheds Assocation a couple of years ago, so we're delighted to be able to let you know it's up, running, and touring. For more details click here. Here's what they say about it:

Three men who have never met before find banter, bird boxes and biscuits in a fictional men's shed, which celebrates camaraderie, companionship.....and custard creams. Men Don't Talk explores and explodes the myth that 'men don't talk' in Clare Prenton's poignant, hilarious and deeply moving, thought provoking play. Written following cups of tea, cake and spirited conversations with real ‘shedders’, the play welcomes audiences into a friendly fictional shed, inspired by real mens’ stories. 

Here are the touring dates:

* 18 October | An Tobar & Mull Theatre | Isle of Mull
* 19 October | Bunessan | Isle of Mull
* 23 October | Lantern House Arts | Cumbernauld
* 25 October | Heart of Hawick | Borders
* 26 October | Eastgate Theatre | Peebles
* 29 October | Scottish Parliament | Holyrood
* 30 October | The Lemon Tree | Aberdeen
*  2 November | Flotta | Orkney
*  3 November | Burray | Orkney
*  5 November | Stenness | Orkney
*  8 November | The Barn | Aberdeenshire
* 14 November | Paisley Arts Centre | Paisley
* 16 & 17 November | The Scottish Storytelling Centre | Edinburgh
* 19 November | Victoria Hall | Cromarty

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UK Mens' Sheds Shed Awards fall victim to early general election

One of the many knock-on effects of the decision to call a general election in early July is that the UK Men's Sheds awards organisers have decided to push the dates of the competitioon back. Here's the full announcement from CEO Charlie Bethel:

"Following the announcement of the Prime Minister on Wednesday to call a General Election, the country enters Purdah and a dissolution of parliament for the 25 days leading to the General Election.As such the Speaker’s State Rooms are no longer available for the Shed of the Year Awards.  As such we will postpone Shed of the Year to the autumn as we hope to move the event and not lose such a prestigious venue fitting for our Awards.
 
"All nominations will remain and you can still submit them to the deadline. We will reopen nominations for a short time when we have a new date. As you can imagine this is out of our control, but we thank you for your efforts so far in such amazing nominations. Our very best wishes and we look forward to welcoming you to ShedFest which will certainly be going ahead."

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Friday Finery: Cromarty Firth Men's Shed

In what's been a rollercoaster fo a week for the Scottish Men's Sheds Association (happily ending on a high note), here's a lovely image for our regular Friday Finery slot, the Cromarty Firth Men's Shed who in addition to all their normal activities look after the woodland surrounding their shed to preserve it for their local community.

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Scottish Men’s Sheds Association funding u-turn

Hot on the heels of our post yesterday about the terrible possibility that the Scottish Mens' Sheds Association faced closure by the end of the year, we were delighted to hear that the Scottish Government has, once again, done a u-turn on this vital funding issue.

Welcoming the decision, SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder (pictured top) said: “The government grant in 2016 of £75,000 was an initial start-up grant for the charity which supported, at that time, five Sheds and developing the movement across Scotland. Unfortunately, that amount has never been increased as the movement grew and we immediately sought other grant funders. However, now post pandemic and with men needing more support than ever, we now require £360,000 per annum to deliver our development plans and support to over 200 Sheds across Scotland.

“With the growing and highest male suicide rates in Scotland – out of the whole of the UK – we require the Scottish Government to once and for all fully commit and get behind the most successful men’s health preventative model created in Scotland so the SMSA, the movement and the people of Scotland never end up in this situation again.

“We applaud the First Minister’s financial support statement and welcome talks with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP to further discuss our vital work through this men’s health and wellbeing model being carried out successfully across Scotland.”

You can watch the issue being raised in the government debate at the start of the video below:

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Scottish Men's Sheds Association on the brink of closure

Terrible news, as reported in the media that the marvellous Scottish Men's Sheds Association is looking to wind up operations of its 200 sheds and 10,000 members by the end of the year.

According to The Sunday Post, the yo-yo decisions on funding by the Scottish Governement continue. It recently decided again to withdraw funding despite the opposition that erupted the last time they made this decision back in 2022 and were forced to backtrack. Irish and Australian governments keep their own projects fully funded.

Speaking to the newspaper, SMSA chief executive Jason Schroeder, said: “We’ve got enough funding for about nine or 10 months and then we’ll be looking at winding up. We’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in October – hopefully we’ll be celebrating rather than closing." 

More than 5,000 people have signed this petition calling on the decision to be reversed. "Now is not the time to abandon and disinvest in this successful men’s health movement that is voluntarily engaging with and reaching men and changing and saving lives," it says. "These volunteers need our support now more than ever as evidenced by the ever-increasing growth in our membership." 

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Shedfest 2024 date confirmed

It's back! The annual UK Men’s Sheds Association shindig returns to Worcester University Arena  on July 11. Full details to be confirmed but ickets will be available from the June. If you've not been before, click here for details of previous Shedfests and the video below is of one they made earlier.

 

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UK Men’s Sheds host ‘The Parliament Shed’ in Westminster

UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) have erected a Men’s Shed at Portcullis House in the Palace of Westminster estate and will man it until March 22 in a drive to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and the Men’s Shed movement.

‘The Parliament Shed’ has been custom-built and is designed to highlight the health, wellbeing and social benefits of community-run Men’s Sheds and the key areas where Sheds make an impact. Expert partners from partners and shedders such as the Zero Suicide Alliance and the Centre for Ageing Better are joining UKMSA and shedders from around the UK to explain the causes and promote the benefits of their work. Topics include: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Men’s Health and Loneliness. 

With more than 1,100 Men’s Sheds across the UK and over 33,000 ‘Shedders’, the UKMSA aims to use this platform to engage with people working in the parliamentary estate and government to raise the profile of the Men’s Sheds movement, and highlight the causes and partners engaged at the event.

Charlie Bethel, chief executive officer said: “Men’s Sheds work because they are a simple concept people can relate to. Whether it is a Shed building bird boxes or mending football boots and bikes to give to disadvantaged children in their communities, you can see a real pride and sense of achievement in everyone who comes through the door of a Shed."

In addition, UKMSA will be announcing a formal partnership with Royal British Legion at The Parliament Shed. "Many Sheds in the UK have veterans in. With the Royal British Legion we hope to increase that number by helping Sheds become more accessible, particularly for people with conditions such as PTSD. We believe this agreement will also see more Sheds opened and we can have more of an impact on communities across the UK. We are particularly proud to be working on establishing Dementia Sheds across the six RBL Care Homes," explained Bethel.

The Parliament Shed was donated by Wickes, Onduline and Power Sheds and has been adapted by Black Park Shed in Buckinghamshire for the week-long event in Parliament. Tools, equipment and supplies have been provided by Axminster Tools Ltd, TiteFix and Ronseal.

Latest issue of the Scottish Shedder out now

The latest edition of the always very readable The Scottish Shedder is out now from the Scottish Men's Sheds Association (click the link for ways to read it). Features include:

* a focus on a group of Shedders from Govan who have produced their take on the 2003 movie Calendar Girls, a 2024 Men's Sheds charity calendar which features some nakedish shedders (see above)

* an interview with veteran Royal Engineer Commando Ray Elliott, one of only three Shedders at Shotts Men’s Shed who have turned an old 18x18ft hut into a Men’s Shed

* storm updates on how recent storms have hit Men's Sheds across the country

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Men's Sheds Anthem

We've covered Swansea City Opera's play 'Shoulder to Shoulder' based on Men's Sheds before on Shedworking, so we were delighted that they have released a little preview of the theme song - music by Lenny Sayers, words by Brendan Wheatley, performed by Only Men Aloud.

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Latest edition of The Scottish Shedder magazine out now

The November issue of the Scottish Men's Sheds Association magazine, The Scottish Shedder, is available either as a pdf here or using the online magazine version here. Features include:

* SHED IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dingwall Men’s Shed

* A PERSONAL STORY: Billy Christie from Barrhead Men’s Shed 

* SHED LIFE: Lanark Men’s Shed’s new beginning

* SHED LIFE: Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 

* SHED LIFE: Ben Fogle drops in on Orkney Men’s Shed

* SHED LIFE: Aberchirder lad’s 78-hours Shedding for Duke of Edinburgh Award

* SMSA NEWS: New Shed on the Block celebrates double triumph

* SMSA EVENTS: Battle of the Shed Bands

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Shedfest 2023

ShedFest 2023, the UK Men’s Sheds Association annual celebration of Men’s Sheds and Shedders across the UK, is nearly upon us, this time round with an expanded exhibition, demonstrations, and workshops offering.

The exhibition opens at 9am, with a welcome at 10am and ends at 4pm. The UK Men’s Sheds Association’s AGM will be held in the afternoo.

Tickets for the gathering on July 13 at Worcester University Area are free and include lunch sponsored by Carveco. Book your tickets here. 

Here's what the organisers say about it:

A chance to meet up with Shedders from across the UK, exchange banter, advice about tools and running Sheds, and attend some great talks including ‘Finding funding for your Shed’, and ‘The Role of Trustees’, and ‘Cancer Awareness’ presented by Cancer Research UK and more. We’ll also have live demonstrations from Axminster Tools too for those of you looking for more practical creative advice.
It’s shaping up to be the biggest ever exhibition hall with over 25 partners, including Ronseal, Tite-Fix, Metalcraft, Lumberjack, Carveco, St John Ambulance, Tackle Prostate Cancer, Silvertime Legal, Cancer Research UK, Paul Burton Sculptures and more. Again this year, there will be a space for Sheds to bring their creations, and there will be prizes provided by Onduline of £100 Wickes vouchers for the best turned item, and the best utensil.

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UK Men's Sheds Shed of the Year

Although there is the longstanding Shed of the Year competition (entries for this year's iteration close next Wednesday), other shed competitions are available, particularly the one organised by the UK Men's Sheds Association which in the tenth year of its operation has announed the winner of its annual award at at ceremony in the House of Lords.

Sponsored by Tite-Fix, this year they had five categories recognising contributions to community, health and wellbeing, partnerships, and supporting each other. The awards were hosted by Paralympic star Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson with Maria Cauldfield MP as guest speaker. 

Congratulations to the overall winner, Bootle Tool Shed (pictured above), but congratulations to all those who won awards: 

Long Sutton Men’s Shed – Shed Community Project of the Year 

Gareth Lloyd Kessingland Shed – Shed Volunteer of the Year 

Lancaster Men’s Shed – Shed Health and Wellbeing Impact of the Year

Cotswold Community Shed of the Year – Shed Partnership of the Year

Mike Jenn Camden - Blue Plaque

Patrick Abrahams – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Chris Griffiths – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Tony Smith-Crallan – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Rob Lloyd Chairman of UK Men’s Sheds Association said: "Each and every nomination this year deserved an award. These Sheds demonstrate everything that is great about Men’s Sheds.” 

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Government U-turn restores Scottish Men's Sheds funding

Back in December, The Scottish Men's Sheds Association (SMSA) asked its members and the public to support its petition which was sent to the First Minister for Scotland and Deputy First Minister for Scotland calling on the Scottish Government to reverse their decision to stop core funding of the national association. And the good news is that they seemed to have listened. 

As reported in the Daily Record, the Government has announced that the £75,000 funding, which was to have been cut in April, will now go ahead as in previous years and continue for 2023/24, as well as funds available via the new Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund (SIAL).

In addition, the SMSA has received a funding boost from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All Scotland programme to upgrade vital resources for its growing membership.

The association plans to implement a new Customer Relations Management database interlinked with an upgraded website to maintain records securely online for its 3,200+ membership and 202 Men’s Sheds across Scotland. It will also increase the level of information held to enable improved recording and monitoring to feed into the charity’s long-term development plans and support delivery.

SMSA Chief Executive Officer Jason Schroeder said: “An Awards for All grant back in 2016 paid to launch our original website, when the Movement was in its early stages, and the resource has certainly been well utilised supplying Scottish Shedders with the resources required to set up and sustain Men’s Sheds across the nation. As the Movement grew substantially to what it is today, it became apparent that we require to record the increase and variety of support requests being received, speed up our processes, improve navigation so members can find what they are looking for more quickly and store wider key information on the sector to report back to our stakeholders – members, board, funders, partners and supporters.

“On average, we are receiving a staggering 40 new individual members each month to this Movement which is remarkable however, the current manual administrative processes are profoundly impacting on the time of the SMSA team.  We plan to simplify our systems for joining the Association but also for our popular ‘Find a Shed’ map which receives thousands of hits each month and make things much easier to find in our online ‘one-stop shop’ members’ portal.

“Through this second award from the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, we will be able to easier maintain data on the Movement safely and securely and be able to evidence and report on its immense success and impact more efficiently – freeing the team up to support the nation’s Shed volunteers.”

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