October 2026
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| Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. There’s plenty to catch up on this month, and quite a bit to celebrate. The finalists for the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026 have been announced, and with more than 140 nominations, the judges certainly had their work cut out for them. We’ve also got some wonderful stories from Sheds across the UK, with plenty of creativity, clever ideas and a little ingenuity on show. There are some useful tips to take back to your own Shed too, and perhaps a few ideas worth borrowing (no need to return those). As always, a big thank you to everyone who shares their news and stories with us. We hope you enjoy this month’s edition. Happy reading. |
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| The judging panel have had their work cut out for them. With a record-breaking 140+ nominations celebrating brilliant Sheds, Shedders and projects across the UK, choosing this year’s Finalists was no easy task! After much deliberation (and possibly a few extra cups of tea), the judging panels have made their decisions, and the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026 Finalists have been announced. The standard of nominations was incredibly high, and while not everyone could make the final shortlist, every nomination is something to be proud of. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to recognise the fantastic people and projects making a difference across the Men’s Sheds Movement. So, who made the shortlist |
| Meet this years Finalists |
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| A growing movementIn our latest blog, Rob Lloyd, chair of Trustees reflects on how UKMSA is evolving to support the growth of the Shedding movement – including news of the forthcoming Charter.The Charter is a simple set of principles that echoes the ethos of the movement – kindness, respect and understanding. |
| Read the full blog |
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| Seven new trustees have joined the UKMSA Board, bringing fresh ideas, experience and, importantly, a strong connection to the Men’s Sheds Movement. As UKMSA continues to grow, we want our Board to continue reflecting the movement we’re here to support. Half of our Board are active Shedders, and we continue to have trustees based across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our new trustees – David Algar, Josh Gooch, Andrew Machin, Kerry Millett, Bruce Newlands, Rob Parker and Professor Denise Turner – bring a wealth of experience spanning finance, community development, health and wellbeing, research, technology and business. Some are pretty good at woodwork too. With 40 applications received, it’s great to see the growing interest in Men’s Sheds. A big thank you to everyone who put themselves forward. John Latchford and Mike Jenn will also continue as non-voting Board members, bringing their wealth of knowledge and experience of UKMSA and Sheds. Our new trustees bring complementary skills and expertise. They share our vision – healthy, happy men and a Shed for everyone who wants one. |
| Meet our new Trustees |
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| Growing a magnificent moustache? Making something to support the cause? Or finding your own way to get involved? Our partners at Movember would love to hear about Sheds getting behind the campaign and find out what you’ve been up to! If your Shed is taking part, get in touch with Nick at nick.pilkington@ukmsa.org.uk and tell us all about it! |
| Email Nick |
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| UKMSA is working with Diageo and experts at Valuing Impact to help develop a tool for Sheds to use to demonstrate their unique Social Return on Investment. This is a good way to evidence the positive influence Sheds have on their local community and could be used to help Sheds when applying for funding. |
| Find out more |
| Shed Members are asked to complete the Your Time at Your Shed survey, where you will be asked a number of questions about your experiences attending your Shed and the impact being at your Shed has had on you. |
| Your time survey |
| Shed Leaders are asked to complete the Shed Leader survey, where you will be asked to share some information about your Shed. |
| Shed leader survey |
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| Following the great success of the ‘Good Measure’ Toolbox launched at Shed Fest in the summer, we’ve now sent Toolboxes out to Sheds across the UK – and we’re pleased to share that we’ll be sending out 50 more! As part of our ongoing partnership with DRINKiQ (Diageo’s responsible drinking platform), the Toolbox is a practical kit designed with and for Sheds and help spark everyday conversations about alcohol moderation. Each Toolbox includes:Two mugs, perfect for your next brewPractical tools for the Shed, such as carpenter pencils and coasters A hard copy of the In-Shed Moderation HandbookTwo posters to build alcohol awareness and get conversations started If your Shed hasn’t received one yet, now’s your chance. Sign up now, to request a Toolbox. With only 50 available, you might want to act fast. |
| Sign up here |
| While you’re at it, why not test your knowledge? It’s a fun way to challenge yourself or fellow Shedders, learn something new and see how much you know about alcohol and moderation. |
| Take the quiz |
| If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to UKMSA@blurred.global. |
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| From a chat in the local pub to taking over a former railway station, Axe Valley Men’s Shed has certainly been on quite a journey. What started as a small group of friends in 2018 has grown into a thriving Shed, complete with workshops, a music room, model railway, orchard and plenty of plans for the future. With a little help from the local community, a lot of hard work and a few leaps of faith along the way, the Shedders have transformed a piece of local history into a place with a bright future. Read their story and discover how it all came together. |
| Read more |
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| Keeping the lights on (and the kettle boiling) is all part of running a Shed, but there’s more than one way to make the pennies stretch. Chris Lee from Letchworth Men’s Shed shares his experiences of making Shed finances work, from selling handmade planters and running practical workshops to building relationships with local businesses and finding creative ways to keep costs down. With plenty of real-life examples, a few lessons learned along the way and some food for thought, Chris explores different approaches to helping Sheds become more financially sustainable. Could some of these ideas work for your Shed? |
| Learn more |
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| Who says a Shed needs four walls and a roof? At Bailey Hill Men’s Shed in Mold, Flintshire, the workshop is a little different! Set entirely outdoors within the earthworks of a medieval castle, Shedders are keeping traditional Welsh craft skills alive, from woodworking with hand tools to making Welsh stick chairs. But it’s about much more than what they make. Since opening in 2023, the Shed has become a place for friendship, learning and support, proving that a sense of belonging doesn’t need a building. With growing demand and a waiting list, this unique Shed is now looking at ways to welcome even more people. Discover the story behind Bailey Hill Men’s Shed and the difference it’s making. You can read the full article on the Museums Association website, featured as part of its Museums Change Lives campaign. |
| Read the full story |
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| It’s not every day you get someone from ‘The Repair Shop’ popping in to cut the ribbon at your Shed. But that’s exactly what happened at Newbury Men’s Shed on Saturday 10th October, when Steve Fletcher from the popular BBC show did the honours at their grand opening, with the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Jo Day, also joining the celebrations. It saw a great turnout. Around 100 people came through the doors, with plenty of chatting, laughter, new faces and ideas being shared. A pretty good indication that the local community is ready for the Shed. The day was also supported by local sponsors and generous donations of cakes and treats, helping to raise some welcome funds towards the Shed’s running costs. A fantastic day for the Newbury Shedders, and a great way to mark the start of this next chapter. Congratulations to everyone involved! We are sure there’ll be plenty more cups of tea, projects and friendships to come! |
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| I travelled by train to Pontypridd to join members of Pontypridd Men’s Shed at St Catherine’s Church for the rededication of the church’s memorial garden. As the train made its way through the valleys, a special announcement invited passengers to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the Aberfan disaster. The timing was deliberate. At 9:13am on 21 October 1966, a coal tip collapsed above the village of Aberfan, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes. The tragedy claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children and 28 adults. A clock recovered from the disaster stopped at 9:13am, the moment the tragedy struck, and remains one of the most powerful symbols of that day. Sixty years on, Aberfan continues to be remembered across Wales, particularly in the valleys communities that still carry its memory. Annual acts of remembrance provide an opportunity to reflect on those lives lost and ensure they are never forgotten.That spirit of remembrance was very much present at St Catherine’s Church. Over recent months, members of Pontypridd Men’s Shed have given their time and skills to restoring the memorial garden adjacent to the church. The garden is a special place dedicated to remembering babies and children whose lives ended before or shortly after birth, and to supporting families affected by miscarriage, infant loss and bereavement. Designed as a place of healing, reflection and hope, it provides a peaceful space where people can remember loved ones, find comfort and spend time in quiet contemplation. |
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| What had become an overgrown and neglected area has been transformed into a welcoming and attractive community space. During the clearance work, Shed members made a remarkable discovery: a stone carving of Christ’s head hidden amongst the undergrowth. The carving bears the inscription “It Is Finished”, traditionally recognised as the final words spoken by Jesus on the cross. The carving has been carefully preserved and is now displayed within the garden, adding an unexpected historical and spiritual significance to the project. The Rev. Charlotte Rushton, thanked everyone who had contributed to the restoration effort, paying particular tribute to the members of Pontypridd Men’s Shed whose hard work had helped bring the garden back to life. As part of the rededication service, those gathered took part in a moving act of remembrance marking the anniversary of Aberfan. Each person selected a pebble and, one by one, stepped forward to place it within the garden. As they did so, they read aloud the name and age of the child written on the stone. The simple act of speaking each name gave individuality and dignity to every child remembered and created a powerful connection between past and present. |
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| For me, the day captured something very special about Welsh community spirit. A group of Shedders volunteering their time to restore a cherished community space, a church creating a place of healing for families affected by loss, and local people coming together to remember children who died in a tragedy six decades ago. The restored garden now stands as a place of remembrance, healing and hope, while also demonstrating the kindness, compassion and community values that lie at the heart of the Men’s Shed movement. It is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together to care for their community and for one another. |
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| Shed Development & Sustainability Manager | Paid, Full-Time Role If you ‘get’ Sheds and Shedding, this could be the job for you!We’re looking for an enthusiastic, people-focused Shed Development & Sustainability Manager to join the UKMSA team, helping Sheds across the UK set up, survive and thrive. It’s a varied role, from leading our Shed Development and Sustainability Team and supporting Shedders and Ambassadors, to building partnerships, sharing knowledge and helping shape the future of Shed support. You won’t need all the answers, but you’ll need to know where to find them! What can you bring to Shedding? You don’t have to be a Shedder, but you do need first-hand experience of working in or with Sheds, whether through a paid or voluntary role, and a good understanding of the Men’s Sheds Movement. The role is fully remote, with regular travel across the UK. Sound like you? Find out more about the role, including how to apply, on the UKMSA website. |
| Find out more |
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| SHED STORIES: Bring the Theatre to Your Shed!Put down your tools, grab your tea and biscuits, and settle in for SHED STORIES! After more than 40 performances across the UK, Casson & Friends‘ humorous and heartwarming production SHED STORIES is now available to watch as a film, completely FREE! Created entirely from interviews with Shedders and organisers, this unique theatrical performance celebrates friendship, community, connection and men’s mental health. To mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and International Men’s Day (19 November), we’re inviting Sheds across the UK and beyond to host their own screenings. Filmed on location at the wonderful Broadstairs Town Shed, the production is accompanied by a free downloadable Chat Sheet, developed with Reset & Reframe, offering conversation starters to help your group share and discuss their own SHED STORIES! Watch free from 9 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. Optional donations are welcome and will be shared equally between Casson & Friends and the UK Men’s Sheds Association. |
| Find out more |
| If you host a screening in your Shed, take some photos and let us know at comms@ukmsa.org.uk. |
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| Heading to Harrogate? Come and Say Hello. We’ll be at the Harrogate Woodworking Show, Friday 13th – Sunday 15th November, and we’d love to see you there. Our UKMSA staff and volunteer Ambassadors will be manning the stand supporting the brilliant team from Ripon Men’s Shed, so do pop by for a chat. With three days of woodworking demonstrations, tools, timber and plenty of opportunities to add to your workshop wish list, there’s lots to see. |
| Get your tickets |
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| Why every great Shed runs on a good brew Walk into any Men’s Shed and you’ll notice the same things: the whirr of a lathe, the smell of sawdust and someone, somewhere, putting the kettle on. It’s no accident. Shedders get together week in, week out to make and mend, but the real magic happens in between. A stubborn hinge or a wobbly chair leg gives you a reason to gather round the workbench. The chat that follows is what keeps people coming back. Connection, conversation, creation. The humble cup of tea works in much the same way. Just as fixing something together sparks talk and friendship, so does the simple act of putting the kettle on. It slows things down. It gives you something to do with your hands, an easy way into a conversation and permission to stay a while. Some of the best chats happen over a brew and nobody ever had to be persuaded to join one. That’s the thinking behind Communitea, Lancashire Tea‘s celebration of bringing people together over a proper cuppa. It’s proud to support Sheds up and down the country, because every great gathering deserves a brew with humble strength and no fuss, just like the Shed spirit itself. A brew on them: enter SHED15 at lancashiretea.co.uk for 15% off, so your Shed can keep the kettle on and the conversation flowing. Making, mending and a decent brew: the three things every Shed meeting needs. |
| Buy now |
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| Whether you’ve completed a community project, welcomed new members, moved into a new home, celebrated an anniversary, or simply have a good Shed story to tell, we’d love to hear from you. Email the editor, Kelly, at newsletter@ukmsa.org.uk and your Shed could feature in a future edition. |
