ShedFest 2025

ShedFest 2025, Thursday 10th

 July 2025, Worcester University Arena

Save the date to ensure you are part of this free-to-attend day, packed full of topical discussion, knowledge sharing and camaraderie.

Keynote announced!

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Stuart Robinson MBE, Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair rugby and two-time Invictus Games champion. A former RAF gunner, Stuart turned personal adversity into triumph, becoming a leading figure in international wheelchair rugby after losing both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2013.Stuart is an inspiring public speaker and ambassador for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

Chris Fisher, The Blind Woodturner

UKMSA Patron and woodturning legend, Chris Fisher will be showing his skills live on the show floor. Don’t miss his amazing demonstrations.

About ShedFest

ShedFest is the annual gathering for UK Sheds and Shedders. The event features inspiring keynotes, informative seminar sessions, plus live demos and an exhibition. It’s a great way to meet other Sheds and Shedders. You’ll make new connections, share expertise & experiences and learn effective ways to run, expand, set up and manage your Shed.

In just one day you’ll meet other Shedders and discover new activities, and you can also make your vote count at UK Men’s Shed Association AGM, taking place at ShedFest. Over 500 people attended ShedFest in 2024.

Goodie Bags and more

Thanks to our supporters we have a goodie bag for all attendees, plus gun stocks available free to ShedFest visitors. 80 gun stocks, prized by Shedders for their high-quality wood have been kindly donated by Hampshire Police.  Available first come, first served! 

Live Demonstrations at ShedFest 2025  

• Carveco Maker – Hands on design and machining
• Chain Mail
• Coracle building
• Metal craft
• Pole lathe
• Pyrography
• Rescue Greyhounds
• Straw Marquetry
• Wood turning – Chris Fisher, The Blindwood Turner

Agenda

Please note agenda is subject to change.

Exhibition

Participants include:

Alzheimers Society  |  Amberjoy Creative |  Arthritis Action  |  Camerados  |  Carveco  |  Charnwood  |  Coracle Building   |  Diageo  |  Gloucester Model Boats  |  Greyhound Rescue Wales  |  Heartbeat Trust UK  |  HelpU Cymru  |  Hobsons Brewery  |  Ladbrook Insurance  |  Lions  |  Metalcraft  |  Phil Parkes Chainmail  |  Public Health Wales Screening  |  ReMap  |  Rowland Tools Ltd  |  Royal British Legion RBL   |  Shrewsbury Shed – UKMSA Shed of the Year  |  St John Ambulance  |  Tackle Prostate Cancer  |  Tite-Fix  |  Tools with a Mission  |  UKMSA Ambassador  |  UKMSA Armed Forces  |  UKMSA Health and Wellbeing Group (HAWAG)  |  UKMSA Membership  |  VoltX  |  Warco  |  Warm Welcome  |  Wessex Insurance  |  Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group

Make sure you stay informed by joining the Men’s Sheds Facebook Group and subscribing to Shoulder to Shoulder Newsletter.

Key topics for 2025 (Agenda tbc)

• Shed management – we’ll give you effective solutions to the challenges you face.
• Health & Wellbeing – activities and strategies to benefit your shedders.
• Every Shed is different – ideas for new activities.
• Tool swaps & shares – you’ll find sheds who need your surplus kit or can provide the tools you need.

Reasons to attend ShedFest   

• Hear from subject experts as talk on key issues facing Sheds.
• Meet & make new connections.
• Find new activities for your Shed.
• Have your say at the UKMSA AGM
• Discover how other sheds tackled key challenges you may face.
• Learn best practise for managing your Shed.
• Explore new Health & Wellbeing initiatives for your Shed.
• See, try and buy new equipment, tools and consumables.
• Watch demonstrations and how-to sessions.
• Goodie bags for all attendees.
• Free refreshments and lunch.

Who should visit ShedFest?  

• Shed Leaders, shedders, volunteers, ambassadors.
• Groups interested in setting up a new Shed.

Event Format

Keynote session, panel discussions, workshops, Q&A sessions plus demonstrations, exhibition stands and networking opportunities.

Competitions 

Show off your Shed’s skills. We’ve three competitions running at the show:

• The Great Shed Sign-Off (Team or Individual)
  Challenge: Create a hand-crafted shed sign — either for your own Shed or a fictional one.
  Skills: Wood carving, painting, pyrography, typography.
  Criteria: Craftsmanship, creativity, character.
  Transportable: Max size suggestion 70cm width.

• Shed Life Photography (Individual)
  Challenge: Submit a photo (or short series of 2–3) that captures the essence of “Life in a Men’s Shed.”
  Skills: Photography, storytelling.
  Criteria: Authenticity, storytelling, creativity, visual composition.
  Printed entries: Bring a mounted or framed photo (A4 or smaller) to the event.
  Categories: Optionally include a category for “funniest photo” or “best candid shot.”

• The Shed Spirit Trophy (Team or Individual)
  Challenge: Make a small trophy or sculptural piece that represents “The Spirit of a Men’s Shed.”
  Skills: Woodworking, metalwork, mixed media, repurposed parts.
  Criteria: Creativity, use of recycled materials, craftsmanship, and how well it expresses Shed culture.
  Transportable: Max size guideline e.g. 30cm x 30cm x 30cm.
  Optional twist: Incorporate at least one surprising material (e.g. a found object).

Simply bring your entries to ShedFest, judging will take place on the day, with prizes awarded after the AGM.

View the full details and competition guidelines.

Exhibitor, sponsor and speaking opportunities

We have exhibitor, sponsor and speaker options to suit all budgets at ShedFest. Please contact us to find out how you can reach over 500 Shedders by supporting this charity event.

You can also find out more about business support opportunities here.

Venue and How to Get There

Worcester University Arena
University of Worcester
Severn Campus
Hylton Road
Worcester
WR2 5JN

Travel details 

Save the date and tell your fellow Shedders. This is a FREE EVENT.