SMSA named a finalist in the 2025 SURF Awards

The SMSA – Scotland’s leading men’s health and wellbeing charity – is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Community Led Regeneration category of the 2025 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration — Scotland’s most prestigious platform for recognising excellence and innovation in community regeneration.

Now in its 27th year, the SURF Awards, delivered by SURF (Scotland’s Regeneration Forum) in partnership with the Scottish Government, celebrate outstanding projects that are making a real difference to communities across the country.

The SMSA is one of three finalists in the Community-Led Regeneration category, alongside Number 30 The Square (Huntly) and The Medan Centre (Udny). The shortlisting recognises the Association’s national impact in empowering, connecting and supporting over 200 Scottish Men’s Sheds— community spaces where men can come together, share skills, and improve health and wellbeing through camaraderie and purposeful activity—and the 10,000+ volunteers that are part of this thriving grassroots movement.

“We are delighted that the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement has been recognised at a national level for its community-led approach to regeneration,” said Jason Schroeder, SMSA CEO. “Men’s Sheds are grassroots spaces that bring men together to make, share, and support one another — rebuilding not just Shed buildings and the areas around them, but also lives, skills and local connections. This recognition from SURF is a huge honour for our team and trustees and for every single Shed in Scotland contributing to the wellbeing of their communities.”

The SURF Awards independent panel of 20 judges assessed applications from the Isle of Skye to the Scottish Borders, across five categories, and agreed upon 15 shortlisted projects for 2025. The judging panel will visit the shortlisted projects during October to gain insight into their work and the difference they make on the ground.

The winners in each of the five categories will then be announced by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes, at the SURF Awards Presentation Dinner on Thursday 4rd December 2025, at Glasgow’s Voco Grand Central Hotel—which SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder will attend.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The SURF Awards provide a valuable platform to acknowledge the dedication, innovation and perseverance of communities across Scotland.

“Community-led regeneration helps to enhance economic, social and environmental wellbeing, which is why we are supporting regeneration projects across Scotland’s with an investment of £62.15 million this year.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to all shortlisted projects and look forward to presenting the awards later this year.”

SURF Chair Brian MacDonald reflected: “Every year, as autumn kicks in the SURF Awards start to come to life. The quality of the nominations continues to impress. As a nation we are fortunate to have a significant community which continues to produce outcomes of the highest quality. This year is no different. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the assessment panels.”

SURF’s Emma Scott said: “SURF was delighted to see a lot of new entrants to the SURF Awards this year, and the 15 projects, which have been selected by the judges as finalists, showcase inspirational examples of what can be achieved through pro-active collaboration. The SURF team look forward to learning more about this year’s finalists, and bringing the projects together to celebrate their success at the Awards Dinner in December.”

The 2025 SURF Awards are delivered by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government, with additional support from Creative Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Scottish Procurement Alliance and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Since 1998, the SURF Awards have identified successful regeneration projects of all sizes from across Scotland. This year’s shortlisted projects feature major place-making investments, employability initiatives, and activities delivered by community groups and arts organisations in both urban and rural contexts, from Dumfries and Galloway to Aberdeenshire, and projects operating at a national level.