Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed honoured with King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed has achieved one of the highest honours in the UK’s voluntary sector — the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) 2025, often described as the MBE for volunteer groups. 

The announcement was made today, 14th November 2025, at the Shed with the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson and SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder in attendance – to mark His Majesty the King’s birthday. Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups across the UK to receive this prestigious award in 2025—a true recognition of the Shed’s dedication to community, wellbeing, and camaraderie.

 Over the past three years, the Shed has received an impressive trio of major accolades: it became the first Scottish Men’s Shed ever to win SMSA’s ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ in consecutive years, 2023 and then again in 2024, and this year, they have now been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025 — a testament to the Shed’s dedication and impact.

Founded in August 2018, Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed has grown to a 135-strong membership aged 20–80+. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, the Shed provides a welcoming space for men to socialise, learn, and support one another. Recent improvements include the installation of Air Source Heating, a second polytunnel for growing produce, and a kitchen refurbishment, allowing members to cook and share meals together.

Beyond activities like woodworking and gardening, the Shed is renowned for supporting health and wellbeing, providing a safe environment where members can talk, connect, and find reassurance. Its impact is felt widely in the community, and it is recognised for the difference it makes in men’s lives even being invited to act as an intergenerational Learning Partner at the local Academy, supporting students with a Wellbeing and Mental Health project.

Bob Copland, Chairman of Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed, said: “This award truly is the icing on the cake. To be recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, on top of winning the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ twice in a row, is just incredible. Our members are the heart and soul of the Shed, and this award recognises their hard work and the positive impact they’ve had on so many lives in our community — but most importantly, it recognises their commitment to putting their own health and wellbeing first by joining the Shed in the first place.

“Our greatest achievement is simply creating a safe, friendly, and welcoming space where members feel comfortable and can talk about their problems if they wish to. With guidance from a retired GP who volunteers at the Shed, members can gain reassurance, share experiences, and access help if they need it. This environment of trust and camaraderie has transformed the lives of many.”

Jason Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer of the SMSA, added: “We couldn’t be prouder of Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed. They embody everything that the Men’s Shed movement stands for — camaraderie, community spirit, and compassion. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service celebrates outstanding work by volunteer groups that benefit their local communities and the Banff & Macduff Shed has become a cornerstone of friendship, skill-sharing, and wellbeing in Aberdeenshire. This award is richly deserved and highlights the incredible difference that Sheds make to men’s lives and to their wider communities across Scotland.”

To mark International Men’s Day on 19th November and celebrate Men’s Health Awareness Month in November, the Shed will be taking part in SMSA’s national ‘Shed Open Doors Day’. The public is warmly invited to pop by between 10am-2pm, meet the members, enjoy a tour, and see the activities first-hand at this award-winning Men’s Shed.

To learn more about the SMSA charity, join as an individual member for FREE and discover your local Shed using the Scottish ‘Find a Shed’ map, which lists over 200 Sheds nationwide, please visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk.