SMSA 'Scottish Men’s
Shed of the Year Awards
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Meet the Finalists: Irvine New Town Men’s Shed
From supplying schools and community groups with handcrafted projects to becoming a registered supplier to North Ayrshire Council and supporting suicide prevention through its innovative Talking Benches partnership, Irvine New Town Men’s Shed has established itself as a driving force for positive change in its community. Since opening in 2018, the Shed has combined practical skills, community service and friendship to create a place where members thrive while making a lasting difference to others.
Based in Bourtreehill, Irvine, the Shed has grown to almost 50 members, welcoming men aged from their 50s to their 80s. Open six days a week, it offers a relaxed environment where members can enjoy a coffee and a blether, read the newspaper, games nights and working on projects in good company. Outside of the Shed, the members also enjoy social gatherings and day outings together.
The Shed has built an impressive range of skills and activities. Alongside traditional woodworking, members have embraced pyrography, CNC carving and cycle maintenance, with four members recently qualifying as Bike Engineers. Whether creating personal projects or contributing to community initiatives, members are continually developing new skills while passing on their knowledge to others.
Community service lies at the heart of everything the Shed does. Irvine New Town Men’s Shed has become a trusted partner for local organisations, designing, building and refurbishing a wide variety of items for schools, community groups and residents. Following its approval as a registered supplier to North Ayrshire Council, the Shed has produced picnic tables, garden benches, bird feeders and raised planters for local schools, alongside countless bespoke projects for community organisations.
Seasonal projects have also become a hallmark of the Shed’s creativity. Members have crafted Easter and Christmas displays, including a large Santa sleigh for Kilwinning and two impressive 12-foot Christmas trees for Dreghorn Library, bringing festive cheer to communities across North Ayrshire.
The Shed regularly attends local fairs and Highland Games, showcasing members’ craftsmanship while encouraging others to experience the benefits of Shed life. These events have helped raise awareness of the organisation and attract new members who may otherwise have remained isolated.
One of the Shed’s most inspiring partnerships has been with the suicide prevention charity Talking Benches. Members have built and installed around 20 specially designed benches, each featuring a QR code linking people to organisations offering support and someone to talk to. The initiative aims to place a Talking Bench in every public park across Ayrshire, demonstrating how practical projects can make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
For many members, the Shed provides companionship during difficult times. Some have experienced bereavement, while others come from areas facing economic hardship. The simple opportunity to enjoy conversation, work alongside others and contribute to meaningful projects has helped reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and restore confidence.
Whether through woodworking, community projects, social events or shared experiences, the Shed continues to show how Sheds can transform lives while strengthening the communities around them.
Their journey is one of compassion, craftsmanship and community spirit. By combining practical skills with a genuine commitment to improving lives, Irvine New Town Men’s Shed has become a valued community asset. It’s this outstanding dedication to supporting both its members and the wider community that earned the Shed the title of West Coast (South) Regional Winner in the Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year Awards 2026.
OUR PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2025 Winner
The 2025 winner, Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men’s Shed was announced at the SMSA National Gathering on Friday 3rd October 2025. Read the full story here >
2024 Winner
2023 Winner
Despite only officially opening in October 2023, 'New Shed on the Block' Banff, Macduff & District Men's Shed celebrated double triumph not only claiming the 2023 title but also being crowned the inaugural winner of 'Battle of the Shed Bands'.
Commenting on the award, Shed Chairman Bob Copland, said: “We are absolutely gobsmacked, we really did not expect to be shortlisted let alone win. We are overwhelmed, and thankful to the SMSA, for the amount of publicity and interest that the awards have drummed up for us. Thanks go to each of our members for everything they do to make the Shed a success and to every single person that voted for us.”
2022 Winner
Men’s Shed Govan took home the title in 2022. Men’s Shed Govan Chairman Martin Haddow, said: “We are delighted to win this award. We have purposefully offered a wide and varied range of activities to meet our members’ needs – after all, not everyone likes woodwork and that is not the be all and end of Men’s Sheds. There is such a strong sense of camaraderie and the Shed has improved the quality of lives of its members by giving them a purpose, people to talk to and things to try and do. We are extremely proud to have turned a previously derelict nursery and undeveloped outdoor space that was being used as a dumping ground into a vital resource for our community that is hugely benefitting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of 70+ members.”
2021 Winner
Westhill & District Men’s Shed—the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland—claimed the title in 2021. David Thomson said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious title that recognises the achievements, over the last eight years, from our extremely active and committed Board of Trustees and members. We have grown significantly over the years and now welcome over 300 members through our doors—averaging nearly 100 member visits per week.”
2020 Winner
In 2020, The Inverclyde Shed was crowned 'Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ – receiving 36% of the total votes from the public. On winning the award, Shed Trustee Bruce Newlands said: “It was a huge surprise being awarded this title from the SMSA, particularly given the difficulties we and every Shed experienced learning to live with COVID-19. The award has helped unlock doors and make new partnerships with a range of people that we previously had not connected with. Many other Sheds have reached out in friendship to learn from how we’ve done things and the lessons we have learned. The award has also brought a great sense of pride to our Shed and our area—a belief that we can be confident that we are really making a difference.”
2019 Winner
In 2019, Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed scooped the title of the very first ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’. 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 from 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 and we have recently won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service too.”
