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Meet the Judges

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UK Men's Sheds Awards 2026

This year you submitted a record-breaking total of over 140 nominations! The judging panels include external experts and representatives from UK Men’s Sheds Association, who are now reviewing the entries to select this year’s finalists and winners. Thank you to everyone who nominated a Shed, project or individual to be celebrated.

Finalists will be announced by 26 October 2026.

Community Project Award

For Shed Projects that have had a positive impact in the local community.

 

Meet the Judges

Andrew Johnston
 UKMSA Vice Chair Trustee
John Latchford
 UKMSA Board Member & Ambassador
Geoff Allison
 UKMSA Ambassador

Partnership Award

For successful collaborations with organisations, businesses, schools, charities, or community groups.

 

Meet the Judges

Rachel Perry

Marie Curie
Rachel Perry, Marie Curie, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait of Rachel wearing a Marie Curie nurses uniform. I am really excited to have the opportunity to be one of the judges for the UKMSA partnership award. I am a Research Nurse at Marie Curie West Midlands and have led the research that identified the need for Men’s Sheds in hospices, including identifying the key features of success and coordinating the coproduction of a toolkit. I am now in the process setting up a Men’s Sheds in Hospices network involving hospices throughout the UK.
I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand how effective Men’s Sheds can be at supporting men’s wellbeing and improving access to palliative care.		  
Mark O’Neill
 Chair of UKMSA Audit and Risk Committee & Trustee  
Frank Heinrich-Tiller
 UKMSA Ambassador  

Health and Wellbeing Award

Celebrating Shed activities that improve physical, mental, or social wellbeing.

 

Meet the Judges

Ally Fogg

Association for Male Health and Wellbeing

Ally Fogg, Chair of the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait picture of Ally, wearing turtleneck sweater and blazer.

 

 As Chair of the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing (AMHW), the national membership community for the UK’s male health and wellbeing sector, every day I see the amazing work being done by the UK’s volunteers, charities and community groups to support men and boys.
Men’s Sheds have long been at the heart of this incredible effort, and it is an honour and a privilege to be able to play a small part in recognising some of the most exceptional and extraordinary achievements of our great friends in this wonderful movement.
John Whitfield
 UKMSA Ambassador
Arshad Siddat
 UKMSA Health and Wellbeing Lead

Armed Forces Award

Recognising support for veterans, serving personnel and the wider armed forces community given by Armed Forces Accredited Sheds.

 

Meet the Judges

Matt Ford

Royal British Legion

Matt Ford, Royal British Legion National Third Sector Partnerships Lead, UK Men's Shed Awards judge. Image shows: Matt wearing a suit, standing in front of VJ Day 80 signs.

 In my role as the RBL National Third Sector Partnerships Lead, I have been fortunate to visit Men’s Sheds across the country and see first-hand the difference they make to the Armed Forces community. I’ve met incredible people whose kindness, friendship and dedication are changing lives every day.
Over the past few years, we’ve helped establish new Sheds, supported Armed Forces commemorative events, and launched the UK Men’s Sheds Armed Forces Community Accreditation Scheme, helping even more Sheds strengthen the support they provide.That is why I am so proud that the Royal British Legion and UK Men’s Sheds Association have come together to create this award, recognising the outstanding contribution Sheds make to veterans, serving personnel and their families.
Brian Bastable
 UKMSA Ambassador
Amy Robinson
 UKMSA Director of Operations

NEW | Green Shed Award

Rewarding Sheds that have made an outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability, conservation, or wildlife preservation.

 

Meet the Judges

Sean Williams

Canal and River Trust

Sean Williams, Senior Welfare & Safeguarding Manager, Canal & River Trust, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: black and white portrait picture of Sean, wearing a Canal & River Trust polo-shirt

 As Senior Welfare & Safeguarding Manager at the Canal & River Trust, I lead a team that supports the wellbeing, safety and welfare of boaters across our waterways, helping to connect boaters to specialist services and improve access to care and support. I’m really excited to have been invited to co-judge the UK Men’s Sheds Awards and to learn more about the inspiring work taking place across the UK.
As a new relationship develops between UK Men’s Sheds and the Canal & River Trust, I can already see how naturally our values align. I believe this partnership has huge potential to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and strengthen social connections through shared skills, shared experiences, and a shared passion for boating. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact we can create together across our boating communities.
Giles Goddart-Brown
 UKMSA Ambassador
Simon Poole
 UKMSA Development Officer, Wales

NEW | Heritage & History Award

For Sheds that are making a positive contribution in preserving and promoting heritage and local or regional history.

 

Meet the Judges

Angela Brook

National Trust

Angela Brook, National Trust, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait picture of Angela, wearing a hooded cardigan.

 

 As Community, Participation and Volunteer Manager at the Blickling Estate, a Jacobean mansion, garden and historic park in Norfolk, I support some 590 volunteers for each department of this historic estate. I also head up all our community engagement and participation links with our local community, an aspect of the role I absolutely love.
This experience gives me a strong appreciation of the work that goes into preserving and sharing local heritage, and I look forward to recognising this through the Heritage and History Award.
Aloys Feeny

National Trust

 Aloys Feeney is the Property Operations Manager at Blickling Estate, National Trust, a role held since January 2025. With a background as an art curator and Museum Operations Manager, Aloys brings deep expertise in heritage stewardship, visitor experience and operational leadership.
He oversees day-to-day estate operations and manages the strategic relationship between Blickling Estate and the Aylsham District and Community Shed, supporting collaborative community engagement between the two charities.
Gerry Johnson
 UKMSA Ambassador
Jamie Hewitt
 UKMSA Finance Manager

Shedder of the Year

Recognising an individual who has gone above and beyond for their Shed and fellow members.

 

Meet the Judges

Danny Schilling

QBE Insurance Group

Danny Schilling, QBE Insurance Group, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait picture of Danny, wearing suit and tie.

 

 Danny is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in finance reporting, data analytics, and business transformation, having worked in the London Insurance Industry since leaving college. Danny has been working with UKMSA to support information on insurance and finances for Sheds.
Chris Fisher

UKMSA Patron

Chris Fisher, The Blind Woodturner and UKMSA Patron, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait picture of Chris, facing to the side, wearing a fleece and shirt.

 Chris Fisher RPT, also known as the Blind Woodturner is the UK’s only completely blind professional woodturner, and the first blind turner to be accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners. The Blind Woodturner, lost his sight 11 years ago, in a matter of weeks, due to a rare condition called Toxoplasmosis.
He taught himself to do the basics all over again whilst dealing with the onslaught of anxiety, hallucinations and muscle spasms that often accompany sight loss.
Through sheer determination and tenacity, within four years he had taken up woodturning.
Graham Argyle
 UKMSA Ambassador
Tim Scott
 UKMSA Operations Officer

Shed of the Year

Celebrating an outstanding Shed that brings people together, supports its members, and makes a positive difference in the local community.

 

Meet the Judges

Beth Rochford

Diageo DRINKiQ

Beth Rochford, Diageo DRINKiQ, UK Men's Sheds Awards judge. Image shows: portrait picture of Beth, wearing gilet and t-shirt

 

 I’m delighted to be judging Shed of the Year again this year. It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of Sheds from across the UK and see the incredible variety of ways they bring people together, build connections and make a difference in their communities.
Through Diageo’s DRINKiQ partnership with UK Men’s Sheds Association, I’ve also had the privilege of seeing that impact first-hand. Together, we’re supporting men’s wellbeing and social connection, while encouraging positive conversations about alcohol and moderation.
Rob Lloyd
 UKMSA Chair of Trustees
Jo Phillips
 UKMSA People Committee Chair, Trustee, Ambassador

Special Recognition Award

Awarded to a Shed that may have embarked on an innovative project, overcome challenges or achieved something slightly outside of the parameters of the specific awards categories.

All entries were considered for Special Recognition and winners selected by the UKMSA Team.

UK Men's Sheds Association Shed of the Year 2025 Winner - Men’s Shed Blaenau Gwent

 

Caroline Ellis, CEO, UKMSA: “The UK Men’s Sheds Awards are about championing the extraordinary stories of ordinary people – the volunteers, the friendships, and the projects that are changing lives and building better communities.

The categories reflect the broad impact Sheds have, not only in their own communities but across the UK and recognise key issues tackled everyday by Sheds such as health, wellbeing, sustainability, and veterans’ support.”

Previous Winners

UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2025

UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2024

Need Help? 

If you have any questions about the Awards or the entry process, please contact the UKMSA team or read the UK Men’s Shed Awards FAQs and Guidance.

UK Men’s Sheds Awards – Guidance

UK Men’s Sheds Awards – Guidance (PDF)

UK Men’s Shed Awards – Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

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