Men’s Sheds have always been about more than making things. Every day in workshops across the UK, friendships form shoulder to shoulder at the workbench — through shared purpose, quiet chats, and plenty of laughter.
Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder builds on that Shed-grown idea, expanded with the kind support of Diageo’s responsible drinking platform, DrinkIQ, to help place more buddy benches in communities across the country — creating welcoming spaces for people to sit, pause, and connect.
Why benches?
Because sitting side by side makes it easier to start a conversation. A simple public bench can:
- Spark 5.5 conversations a day — over 2,000 a year
- Offer a gentle invitation to talk, listen, or simply not feel alone
- Mirror what Sheds already do so well inside their workshops
If 100 Shed-built benches are placed nationally, they could help spark over 200,000 conversations every year.
Help us reach 100 benches
Across the UK, benches are being built or restored by Men’s Sheds as part of Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder — appearing in village greens, care settings, gardens, cycle paths and community hubs.
Each one is different, but they all share the same Shed values: practical skills, generosity, and connection (often with a kettle not far away). Can you help us reach 100 benches?
Get involved: sign up your Shed
Sheds taking part in Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder receive:
- £250 funding towards your bench project
- A Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder bench plaque
- A toolkit to help you connect with community partners
- Support telling your story, so your impact gets the spotlight it deserves
Timmy Mallett joins the mission
TV icon Timmy Mallett brought his famous mallet — and plenty of enthusiasm — to Black Park Shed in Buckinghamshire to help build their buddy bench. Whether he was more help or hindrance is still up for debate… but the result is a brilliant example of how Shed projects bring people together.
Already built a bench? Let us know
Some Sheds were building benches long before this mission had a name — and we’d love to celebrate those too.
If your Shed has built or restored a bench (as part of Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder or inspired by it), send us a photo and a few lines about where it lives. It helps inspire other Sheds and shows just how powerful these simple projects can be. Contact: kelly.birch@ukmsa.org.uk
Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder is delivered with the support of Diageo’s alcohol education platform DRINKiQ. Learn more about DRINKiQ.