UK Men's Sheds Association

04/09/2026

We’re delighted to announce new funding from The Julia Rausing Trust. We'll be working together over the next three years to help more people access a Shed near them.

The investment supports our Shed Development & Sustainability Team, who work directly with Sheds across the country to help them set up, survive and thrive. This means help with everything from finding premises to funding and governance.

Thank you, to the Julia Rausing Trust, for standing shoulder to shoulder with us and thousands of Shedders across the UK.

02/09/2026

In case you missed it, the latest edition of Shoulder2Shoulder is out now.

This month's newsletter looks back at ShedFest 2026, celebrates a brand-new home for a Shed, heads to Axminster for a very special Armed Forces milestone, and finds out how a black cat planter managed to prove a few Shedders wrong.

There’s also astronomy, poetry, plenty of Shed inspiration and, of course, the small matter of the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026 now being open for entries.

So, if you fancy a catch-up with what’s been happening across the Shed community, you can read the latest edition on our website (and sign up there to have future newsletters delivered straight to your inbox).

https://menssheds.org.uk/newsletter-archive/

28/08/2026

🎬 ShedFest 2026, in three words?

“In it together.”
“Amazing, amazing, amazing.”
“Chat, cuppa, laugh.” ☕😂

That gives you a pretty good idea of the day — but the video tells it even better.

From Shedders and speakers to partners, conversations, stories and plenty of laughs, this brilliant short film captures what ShedFest is really all about – people coming together, sharing ideas and reminding us just how powerful the Shed movement can be.

If you were there, see if you can spot yourself. If you weren’t… this is probably the next best thing. 👀

🎥 Watch ShedFest 2026 here: https://youtu.be/lgC-XtqbRLM

💬 What three words would you use to describe ShedFest? Let us know in the comments.

ShedFest 2026 brought Shedders, Sheds, partners and supporters toge...

26/08/2026

Entries are OPEN for the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026!

Every Shed has a story worth sharing and we want to hear yours.

The Awards celebrate the people, projects and partnerships that make Men’s Sheds such an important part of communities across the UK.

From health and wellbeing to community projects, partnerships, veterans’ support, sustainability and heritage, there are eight categories to choose from – including two new awards for Green Shed and Heritage & History.

You can enter your own Shed or nominate another UKMSA member Shed. Remember, all category entries will be considered for Shed of the Year.

Entries close midnight, Sunday 27 September 2026

Find out more: https://menssheds.org.uk/events/uk-mens-sheds-awards-2026

Thanks to our sponsor Diageo's DrinkiQ programme for supporting the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026.

24/08/2026

🚤 Now that’s a buddy bench with a difference!

As part of Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder, our partnership with Diageo's
alcohol education platform DRINKiQ, Sheds across the UK are creating buddy benches designed to take something that happens naturally in Sheds every day – shoulder-to-shoulder conversation – out into their wider commu’s alcohol education platform DRINKiQ, Sheds across the UK are creating buddy benches designed to take something that happens naturally in Sheds every day – shoulder-to-shoulder conversation – out into their wider communities .

South Wigston Shedders in Leicestershire have certainly put their own stamp on theirs!

Inspired by its new home at Kilby Bridge, the Shedders have created a brilliant narrowboat-shaped bench, giving walkers, boaters and passers-by somewhere to stop, take the weight off and perhaps share a conversation along the way.

The bench was unveiled by the Mayor of Oadby and Wigston alongside volunteers from the Canal & River Trust – and is another fantastic example of Shedders using their skills to create something for the whole community.

One more bench helping us on our Mission to reach 100 buddy benches across the UK. 👏🪚

22/08/2026

Building skills. Building confidence. Building hope. 🧰

Shedders at Burnham and Highbridge Men’s Shed have been sharing their woodworking skills with clients from Somewhere House, helping them make something with a very special purpose: their own personal toolboxes.

Previously, clients had been using cardboard shoeboxes to keep items that are important to them on their recovery journey. Now, they’re making sturdy plywood boxes of their own – built to last, while learning new skills along the way.

The sessions have sparked a real enthusiasm for making, creating connection and confidence shoulder to shoulder. Several clients have even gone on to join the Shed’s regular sessions as Burnham Shedders.

A simple woodworking project, but a brilliant example of what Sheds can do. 💚

🔗Read more about the partnership with Somewhere House on our blog:
https://menssheds.org.uk/blog/burnham_and_highbridge_partnership/

21/08/2026

Our shed had a visit from John Latchford (UKMSA Trustee and Ambassador) last week whilst he was in the area for ShedFest.
Interesting discussions on shed life and some great tips on insulating a 40 foot container we intend to kit out for our new workshop when we move to a new location.
Thanks John

20/08/2026

🔨 Was ShedFest really a whole week ago?!

This time last week, the University of Worcester Arena was full of Shedders – chatting, learning, sharing ideas, watching demonstrations, exploring the exhibition hall and generally doing what Shedders do best... getting stuck in!

There were talks and sessions, practical demonstrations, competitions, plenty of inspiration to take back to Sheds and some brilliant conversations happening throughout the day. We also heard a moving and inspirational keynote from Andy Roe and, of course, squeezed in our UKMSA AGM before the doors officially opened!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make the day happen – our speakers, exhibitors, session leaders, volunteers, Trustees, staff and our wonderful sponsors Royal British Legion and Movember. 👏

But the biggest thank you goes to you, our Shedders.

Whether you travelled five miles or fifty (or considerably more!), brought something along to share, joined a session, stopped for a chat or simply came to see what it was all about – you made the day what it was.

ShedFest wouldn't be ShedFest without Shedders. 💙🔨

Thank you for making ShedFest 2026 such a fantastic day. We hope you went home with a few new ideas, a few new friends and plenty to talk about back at the Shed!

📸 Were you there? Tell us your favourite bit of the day in the comments – and feel free to share your photos too!

13/08/2026

13/08/2026