The Shed in Dukinfield has been announced as a recipient of the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in the Platinum Jubilee year.

The Shed is a registered charity that operates from Loxley House and offers support to men (and women on Fridays) in a variety of ways - allowing them to interact in a creative workshop setting, socialise, and have a chat and a laugh at the same time. 

Many of the men are referred from The Hague Ward at Tameside Hospital, the memory clinic or Stroke Association. Some men who have just retired or want to get back out into the community also self refer.

Originally founded in 2013 as part of AgeUK, the team at The Shed went independent as a charity in 2017. AgeUK generously donated equipment and a van to get them on their own way and they haven’t looked back since. 

It comes after Michael Barlow, a volunteer at The Shed, received a British Empire Medal in the Queen's New Year's Honours list in 2021 for services to the community. When we spoke to Michael, he wanted the recognition to go to all that work and volunteer at The Shed in Dukinfield.

The Shed is one of 244 organisations across the UK being awarded the highest award given to local volunteer groups in recognition of their outstanding community service. 

Charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups receive the prestigious award for their volunteer-led work across a wide range of fields including mental health, youth, community, arts and heritage.

The awardees have all enhanced the lives of others through their work with the highest number of awards this year going to the community support sector, which includes food banks, village shops, fundraising events and men’s sheds.

Minister for Civil Society and Youth Nigel Huddleston said: "Our volunteers give up their time to help others and The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises their selfless acts of generosity and kindness.

"I congratulate all the awardees whose hard work and dedication is rightly recognised in this milestone year of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee." 

Sir Martyn Lewis, QAVS Chair, said: "I warmly congratulate all the outstanding voluntary groups who have been rewarded with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. The level of commitment and innovation shown by these volunteers is truly impressive. We owe a debt of gratitude to them, and the countless others who give up their free time regularly to improve the lives of others in their community."

Coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises that volunteers continue to provide a vital social function and improve access to services across the country. 

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