Skip to content

Scottish ‘Shed of the Year’ Awards 2020 opens for applications

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.


WINNER – Aberderchirder & District Men’s Shed
Pictured Left-Right: James Paterson, Derek Keiller
(Former SMSA Chairman) and Mike O’Brien

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 30th August 2020.

Opens for applications:     Tuesday 28th July 2020
Closed for applications:  Midnight on Sunday 30th August 2020
Shortlist announced:    Monday 7th September 2020
Open to public vote:  Monday 7th September 2020
Closed to public vote: Midnight on Sunday 13th September 2020
Winner announced:  Wednesday 16th September 2020

Some Related Blog Post You May Also Like

Do not suffer in silence this festive period

Do not suffer in silence this festive period Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year)

Season’s Greetings and Festive Closure

The SMSA team (Jason, Tim, Ross, Stewart, Michelle and Sue) and our Board of Trustees would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Hogmanay!  

The Scottish Shedder Magazine

THE SCOTTISH SHEDDER Edition 41 – December 2024 The SMSA presents the latest edition of The Scottish Shedder magazine to our 4,200+ members and subscribers. Featuring the latest news, projects and personal