Summary
Men in Sheds Cheltenham & Gloucester has been named a finalist in the UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026, a nationwide celebration recognising the power of Men’s Sheds to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and strengthen communities.
Details
The Shed is shortlisted in the Partnership Award category for its outstanding work partnering with Belmont School to create safe, therapeutic spaces and learning opportunities for pupils affected by trauma. Members have built planters, sandpits, accessible gardening tables and outdoor storage, repaired essential outdoor areas and repurposed materials, saving the school valuable resources.
The Shed has also welcomed pupils for workshop building sessions to help develop their practical skills, confidence, and independence. Pupils have benefitted from projects such as the ‘Great British Bird Box Build’. Stuart Mackay, chairman of trustees at Men in Sheds Cheltenham & Gloucester , said: “We’re really pleased to be recognised nationally.
Our Shed has become a lifeline for so many, and this nomination recognises the value of partnering with a school for pupils with special educational needs. Members and students take a lot of inspiration from this cooperation.” What began over a conversation in a Winchcombe pub in 2013 by two retired individuals looking for a new project has blossomed into a thriving community organisation.
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Men in Sheds Cheltenham & Gloucester has grown from a humble grassroots idea into a vital local institution with three sites in the county with over 70 members, dedicated to combating social isolation, supporting mental health and building long-lasting community relationships. The Shed provides an opportunity for members to meet regularly in a workshop environment for companionship.
Based around carpentry and metalworking, there are opportunities for private projects or work in the community.
Underpinning everything is a focus on good mental health and wellbeing For more information on Men in Sheds Cheltenham & Gloucester, visit https://mis-cheltenham-gloucester.uk/ Winners of the awards will be announced at the UK Men’s Sheds Awards ceremony on November 19, hosted at Baskerville House, Birmingham.
For more information about the UK Men’s Sheds Awards and to learn more about the finalists, visit UK Men’s Sheds Awards 2026 – UKMSA Men’s Sheds Association
Report source: Punchline Gloucester
