The public has voted and—after 1,579 votes and a very close race—The Inverclyde Shed has been crowned Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020 by the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA).

It was neck and neck between the three shortlisted Sheds as the public voted online for their winner from Garnock Valley Men’s Shed, The Inverclyde Shed and Kinross & District Men’s Shed. 

The Inverclyde Shed was announced as the winner—receiving 573 (36%) of the votes—at the SMSA AGM & ’Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2020 on Wednesday 16th September on Zoom.  Garnock Valley Men’s Shed came a close second with 511 votes and Kinross & District Men’s Shed was the second runner-up with 495. 

Chairman of The Inverclyde Shed, Bruce Newlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award and title.  This shows a huge vote of confidence that there are really good people doing some really great things here in Inverclyde!

“It was encouraging to hear Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed share what they have gained from winning the SMSA award last year and we hope to be just as successful.  We plan to really maximise the potential of this opportunity to further promote ourselves in our local community, and with funders, to expand our offering and attract more men along to our Sheds.

“It must be recognised that, although this is a competition, there is absolutely no rivalry with our fellow Men’s Sheds.  Sheds are all at different stages and sizes and we have only been inspired, encouraged and supported by other Sheds to implement activities and ideas that have worked for them. We invested in a 3D printer after hearing about Kinross & District Men’s Shed creating face visors for frontline workers and launched a carving club after hearing about the success of the modellers’ club offering at Garnock Valley Men’s Shed.  This award showcases the great work being carried out by Sheds across Scotland so we can share knowledge and ideas to improve the health and wellbeing of the men in our communities.”

The Inverclyde Shed was formally constituted in January 2018, offering a safe place for men to make friends, learn new skills and mentor others at its first 700sqft Shed at Captain Street in Greenock.  The charity has grown from strength to strength and now has a board of six from a cohort of 45 active voting members and almost 500 associate members.  The Shed expanded its offering to include a second 700sqft workshop space by mid-2019.   

In March 2019, the Shed successfully secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to cover rent for the next five years.  In August 2019, the Shedders took on the management of a community garden space in Gourock and were successful with a Community Asset Transfer – 25-year low cost lease request – for a 4,000sqft industrial unit in Greenock in March 2020. Renovation is targeted to start in May 2021 subject to success with the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The charity has also recently been able to open a smaller Shed focused on digital fabrication/distance working in Gourock, partly as a response to Covid-19 but also to attract a younger demographic. 

The three finalists each received a cash prize from the SMSA; free or discounted Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from partner, David Young Training; and a year’s free Shed accounts package from Thyme Accountants to support the Shed Treasurer.  The winner also received the esteemed targe trophy and a £100 voucher from partner, Axminster Tools & Machinery.

Last year’s winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed (ADMS), will hand over the esteemed targe trophy at a physically-distanced handover in the near future.  ADMS has been busy in lockdown designing and producing a unique stand for the trophy to be passed on to this year’s winner.  ADMS received a surprise at the online awards event when they were shown a replica of the trophy, created by David Young Training, to display in their Shed to forever recognise them as the Awards’ inaugural winner.

*VOTING CLOSED AT MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2020*

It is time for the public to have their say on who will be crowned this year’s Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020.

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today announced the top three Men’s Sheds shortlisted for this prestigious award that recognises and rewards the contribution and impact Men’s Sheds make to society.

The three Scottish Men’s Sheds shortlisted by SMSA’s Board of Trustees from all the applications received were announced as Garnock Valley Men’s Shed, Inverclyde Shed and Kinross & District Men’s Shed.

Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “The applications were of an incredibly high standard and it was certainly a difficult decision for our judging panel. The awards not only showcase the Sheds for the fantastic work that they do but also promotes good practice and inspires other men to set up new Men’s Sheds across Scotland where there is a need.

“It has been great to read about all the life-changing activities taking place in the Sheds but this year’s applications have also highlighted the Covid-19 support that Shedders have provided in their communities and also how they stayed connected to each other during these unprecedented times.  The public has a week to vote to crown their winner and truly recognise and reward the impact Sheds have in their localities.”

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the awards event will take place virtually on Zoom this year and will coincide with the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 16th September 2019.

The winner and two runners-up will be announced on the day.  The winner will receive the esteemed targe trophy – designed and collectively created by SMSA and several Sheds – to display at their Shed for a year – on top of a cash prize. 

Other prizes include a free machine competency and woodwork training day from David Young Training (plus runner up discounts with a collective value of over £1,000); accounts packages from Thyme Accountancy (worth over £500) and a gift voucher from Axminster Tools & Machinery.

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today opened its prestigious ‘Shed of the Year’ Awards to applications from Men’s Sheds across Scotland.

***THE 2020 AWARDS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS***

The awards recognise and reward the contribution and impact Men’s Sheds make to society – telling the story to raise awareness of the benefits of Sheds to men, their family and friends and the community as a whole.  The awards event will take place virtually on Zoom this year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and has been timed to coincide with the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 16th September 2020. If you want to attend the virtual event, through Zoom, click here to register.

Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to launch this year’s awards to celebrate and showcase the life-changing work being carried out in Men’s Sheds across Scotland. The Men’s Sheds Movement began in Scotland in 2009 – and the first Shed opened in 2013 – and we now have an impressive 188 Sheds across the nation – all dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of men over the age of 18 through friendship, support and camaraderie.

“We want to hear from Sheds across Scotland – their background, their journey and the impact they have had within their localities.  We also want to know about the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them so that other Sheds can learn from their experience.  Although, the event is being carried out online this year, it certainly will not stop the Shedders ‘meeting’ digitally to network and learn from each other.”

Shortlisted Sheds will be selected from all of the applications by SMSA’s Trustees before going to a public vote in the run-up to the event – the winner and two runners-up will then be announced on the day. 

The winner will receive the esteemed targe trophy – designed and collectively created by SMSA and several Sheds – to display at their Shed for a year on top of a cash prize, a free machine competency and woodwork training day from David Young Training and a £100 gift voucher from Axminster Tools & Machinery.

Last year saw Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed (pictured above), scoop the title of the first Scottish ‘Shed of the Year’ in September 2019.  The Shed was recognised for the incredible work carried out since its inception in 2016 and the team of seven men who carried out 30,000 man-hours over the 104-week construction process on its Shed build before its official opening in May 2019.

Mike O’Brien, Chairman of the Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed, said: “Since winning the title in 2019, we have had a busy and successful time – our reputation just seemed to escalate.  We will not be applying for the award this year—proud in the knowledge that we were the winners of the inaugural competition—and wish our fellow Scottish Sheds the best of luck and urge them to apply. We hope that this year’s winner receives as much attention that we have had as a result of winning the targe.”

Scottish Sheds – that are SMSA members – can apply by midnight on Sunday 30^th August 2020.

Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed has scooped the award and title of the first ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ and a £500 cash prize at the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11th September 2019.

The event celebrated the work carried out by Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed which began in 2016 with a team of seven men (‘The Magnificent Seven’) at the helm – fundraising and raising awareness of the Sheds Movement through popular coffee mornings and applying to local and national funders to secure a Shed.  Aberdeenshire Council granted the use of the land which the Shed now stands on and in 2017, the founding Chairman cut the first sod with a donated JCB digger.  By Autumn 2017, five cabins had been installed with toilets, a kitchen, a computing space and a social area followed by raised beds around the perimeter of the car park.

The team worked over 30,000 man-hours over the 104-week construction process, all the while, still engaging with its 72 members through monthly meetings and fundraising events and activities.  In May 2019, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell officially opened the Shed and revealed a wall plaque to commemorate the event with over 350 members of the local community in attendance.  A letter from Buckingham Palace, an invitation to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace and a meeting with Prince Edward were also amongst the celebrations to recognise the excellent work being carried out by the Shed.

During the period of the Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed, the Shedders have worked with local schools, charities, businesses and residents to provide planters, fencing, garden seats, hanging baskets, firewood and chicken coups in addition to being the envy of the community with its homegrown fruit and veg.

Mike O’Brien, Chairman of the Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed, said: “We are so proud to win this prestigious trophy in its inaugural year.  We look forward to proudly displaying the Targe at the Shed and wish to formally thank the Shed’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ for all the work they have done and, in particular, the founding Chairman Kenny Christie, whose shoes I will have a challenge to fill.  Now that we are at the end of a very busy two years, we intend to do what Men’s Sheds are all about and enjoy the company and craik.”

The awards presentation – to showcase the commitment, impact and outstanding work being carried out by Men’s Sheds in Scotland – recognised 15 entries and also saw Aultbea Men’s Shed and Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed tie for the runner-up places and each receive a £250 cash prize and gift vouchers from Axminster Tools.

Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed in Dundee played host to the SMSA event and the engraved Scottish Targe presented to the winning Shed was produced thanks to the help, generosity and skills of several Men’s Shed members to truly encapsulate the ethos of Men’s Sheds.  SMSA Chairman, Derek Keiller, designed the trophy from mahogany supplied by the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed from a 100-year-old billiards table followed by French polishing by Hamish Shepherd of Strathmore Men’s Shed in Coupar Angus.

Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer at the SMSA and co-founder of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland in Aberdeenshire back in 2013, said: “Today’s event celebrates the success and growth of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland.  By showcasing the award nominees and their life-changing impact it is hoped that more men will access Men’s Sheds to connect with their communities, to improve their health and wellbeing, and that new Men’s Sheds will continue to be developed across Scotland.”