Your Month-by-Month Guide to Cutlery Works' Ulti-Mutt Year of Events in Aid of Support Dogs

Forget the Year of the Horse. Over in Sheffield, 2026 is officially the year of the dog. Cutlery Works, the city’s original and much-loved food hall, has teamed up with the brilliant national charity Support Dogs for a whole year of amazing events. And when they say it’s the year of the dog, they really mean it. These aren’t just a few fundraising events; it’s a full calendar of pooch-themed, dog-friendly fun for everyone, from children to adults. Best of all, every penny of the proceeds goes directly to a fantastic cause: the training of life-changing assistance dogs.

A paws-itively brilliant partnership

So, what exactly do these support dogs do? Well, they’re not just cute companions. These are highly trained assistance dogs that make a massive difference in people's lives. The charity, Support Dogs, focuses on training these four-legged heroes to help children with autism, as well as adults affected by epilepsy or a physical disability. Think about it for a moment. For a child with autism, one of these dogs can be a calming, steady friend who helps them navigate a world that can feel overwhelming. For someone with epilepsy, a support dog can be trained to give a 100% reliable warning up to 50 minutes before a seizure, giving them time to find a safe place. That’s not just helpful; it’s genuinely life-changing. This incredible training is funded entirely by donations, which is why this partnership with Cutlery Works is so important. Every ticket bought and every event attended helps this charity continue its vital work.

More than just a food hall

Anyone who’s been to Cutlery Works at Kelham Island knows it’s a special place. It’s got a brilliant community vibe and is a proper social hub. Crucially, it has always been a dog-friendly venue, making it the perfect partner for this series of events. It was a natural fit, really. The team there understands that for many people, dogs are simply part of the family.

Katie Canham, from the team behind Cutlery Works, explained that their food halls have always welcomed dogs. She added:

“Support Dogs transform lives by bringing independence, companionship and hope so partnering with the charity felt like a natural extension of what the team at Blend already celebrate every day. Knowing we could help amplify Support Dogs’ voice by being on board wasn’t a difficult decision – it’s more a privilege to have the charity approach us. Every single person on the team feels really proud and happy to be partnered with Support Dogs.”

That feeling is definitely mutual. Tess Thompson, the community fundraising manager for the charity, spoke about why the venue works so well for them.

“Cutlery Works is dog-friendly, has a fantastic community vibe and is a real social hub, which is why we’re delighted to have the venue on board with helping us to raise vital funds to help people affected by autism, epilepsy and physical disability.”

“This is a whole calendar of events, providing lots of opportunities for people to meet our dogs, as well as other events which will fundraise for us. As we rely heavily on voluntarily donations, it’s fantastic to have this initiative lined up for 2026.”

Your monthly guide to dog-friendly fun

The team has put together a fantastic schedule of pooch-themed events, with something different happening every month. There’s a real mix of activities for children, adults, families, and of course, their dogs. Here's a look at what’s on offer throughout the year:

• Pizza and Paws – Sunday 15 February (3pm-4pm): A perfect afternoon out. Grab a slice of delicious pizza, hang out with the Support Dogs team, and meet some of the incredible dogs currently in training. Tickets are £12 and include the pizza!

• Furry Friends Market – Sunday 22 March (all day): A whole market dedicated to all things dog-related. If you're looking to spoil your four-legged friend, this is the place to be. It's a proper dog-friendly market.

• Easter Egg-cellent Dog Trail – Sunday 12 April (all day): An Easter egg hunt, but for dogs! Pick up a map from Cutlery Works and follow the trail around Kelham Island to find clues and claim a tasty Easter treat for your pooch. Entry is £5 per dog.

• Live dog drawing – Sunday 17 May (3pm-4pm): A life drawing class with a twist. Get your creative juices flowing by sketching a real-life support dog-in-training. A truly unique experience. Tickets are £20.

• Bark and Brew – Sunday 14 June (6pm-8pm): An event for the adults. Enjoy a beer and crisps tasting session while meeting one of the trainee assistance dogs. Tickets are £10 and include five beer tastings.

• Colouring competition for children - June and July: Something fun for the kids over the summer. They can colour in a picture of a support dog for a chance to win a cuddly toy from the charity.

• Barking Bake Off pupcake decorating – Sunday 6 September (11am-12pm): Learn the art of pupcake decorating! This class is perfect for all ages, teaching you how to decorate dog-friendly treats with healthy, tasty toppings. Tickets are £15 and you get to take home six pupcakes.

• Pupcorn and a Movie for kids – Sunday 18 October (10am-12pm): Cutlery Works will become a cosy cinema for a special movie morning. Before the film starts, there will be a meet and greet with a superhero dog in training. £5 entry includes popcorn for every child.

• Paws, Pints and Prosecco – Sunday 15 November (3pm-4pm): A chance to relax with a pint or a glass of prosecco while meeting some of the hero dogs in training. £10 entry includes your first drink.

• Meet Santa Paws – Sunday 20 December (10am-1pm): The perfect festive finale! Bring your dog, your children, or the whole family to meet Santa Paws himself. Entry is £7 per dog or child and includes a gift and a photo.

Address: 73 – 101 Neepsend Lane, Sheffield, S3 8AT