2023 unwrapped: 12 Days of Impact
As 2023 to a close, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to highlight twelve memorable moments from the last twelve months. It has been a year of firsts, with fresh projects, places and partnerships, and we are so grateful to all those who have been a part of the journey: Here’s cheers to 2023, and to the adventures awaiting ahead!
1. International Women’s Week series
During International Women’s Week, we joined residents and the wider community to host a tapestry of events at The Community Works. From engaging sessions hosted by the Oxford Poetry Library to the thought-provoking ‘Powerlands’ film screening, as well as workshops, singing and comedy. Each gathering sparked rich conversations and new insights.
It was here that we also piloted ‘Playspace,’ a free, pop-up, child friendly co-working space. A welcoming environment for both children and adults with an inviting play area and craft corner, comfortable sofas and hot desks for parents/carers. Playspace featured the Many Voices Collection, a collection of books, curated by Oxford Poetry Library and The Children’s Allotment, featuring black characters, written by black authors, or which centre an anti-racist message.
We want to thank all those who organised, attended or supported this series of events: Together, celebrating the lives of women and girls.
2. The Pineapple Awards: Makespace Oxford at the Festival of Place
We were thrilled that the ‘Meanwhile In Oxfordshire…’ programme was shortlisted for the Pineapples Award for ‘Activation: Reuse’ by Developer Magazine and the Festival of Place.
Later in the year we had the pleasure of presenting our ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…’ project at the Festival of Place alongside so many inspiring organisations. This annual festival brings together place-makers – from designers to developers, scientists to city-leaders – to learn, connect and share best practice in how we shape and develop places.
3. Hip Crowd: The new, child-friendly Open Mic event at The Community Works
This year, with thanks to Community Coordinator, Sarah Thorne, and in partnership with Oxford Poetry Library, we launched ‘Hip Crowd,’ a unique, day-time Open Mic event at The Community Works, compared by the wonderful Lorna Burchell. Designed especially for parents with babies-in-arms, but open to everyone. Hip Crown is a stage for poetry, music, storytelling, comedy, and all forms of expression.
The event has quickly become a nurturing space for creativity and connection, filled with the delightful sounds of gurgling babies and the vibrant energy of inspired performances.
“The room felt full of oxytocin! I loved the gurgling and wriggling of the babies and their eye contact was lovely!” The event is not just baby-friendly, but a celebration of life’s new beginnings and the artistic spirit that thrives in us all.”
– Hannah B
4. Artweeks
We were thrilled to transform four of our spaces across Oxfordshire into vibrant exhibitions for the public, as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks.
Artists like Guy Barkley-Smith, Jacqueline Abel, Jordan Vanderhyde, and the team from Style Acre, alongside creations from community pottery studio, Sabali Pots. Each exhibition was a window into the creativity and passion of our residents! Thank you to all those who exhibited, visited and showed support.
5. We welcomed new Makespace team members: David, Molly and Kay
We were delighted to welcome some fantastic new members to our Makespace family this year! Molly and Kay joined our communities team, bringing with them a fresh burst of energy and ideas that have already started to make a significant impact across Oxford, Didcot and Wantage.
In facilities, we had the pleasure of welcoming David. With his keen eye and expertise, he’s been instrumental in ensuring our spaces are not only functional but also fun, welcoming and vibrant. (if you haven’t already, check out the ingenious new mini-benches David has built into the wall outside Aristotle Lane)
6. South Abingdon Arts and Culture project
This year we launched the South Abingdon Arts and Culture Project, with huge with thanks to the Vale of White Horse District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This regenerative arts project has been designed with the intention of up-skilling local artists and providing wider creative opportunities for all: Unlocking the skills and knowledge of local residents and community groups, connecting with the Abingdon landscape and generating artworks created by and with the South Abingdon community.
To find out more of get involved, visit the project page or contact dionne@makespaceoxford.org
7. EEDI relaunch
This year saw the relaunch of our Equity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Commitments for 2023 and beyond. As we reflect on the third anniversary of our solidarity statement with the Black Lives Matter movement, we are reminded of the importance of continuous, intentional action towards creating a more equitable world. The commemoration of George Floyd’s murder and Windrush75 earlier this year further reinforces our commitment to this cause.
Our EEDI commitments are evolving as we learn, receive feedback, and strive for growth. They are built on five key strands where we aim to make a real impact:
– Dismantling institutional and structural racism
– Confronting social inequality
– Championing gender and sexuality equality
– Upending ableism and widening accessibility
– Meeting the ecological crisis
Watch this space! We’ll be sharing an update on our progress in the new year. To read our commitments in full, or to find out how to get in touch, please visit our EEDI page.
8. Makespace & Aristotle Lane 5th Birthday Party
In case you missed it, this year we celebrated five years of Makespace Oxford and Aristotle Lane! A huge and heartfelt thank you goes out to our Aristotle Lane residents, who played a pivotal role in making our birthday bash in September a memorable one. Hosted at the very place where our journey began, 1 Aristotle Lane, we were thrilled to be raising a glass with hundreds of attendees who have been part of our journey. Read more about it here.
9. Glimpses of a Possible Future: Makespace’s first podcast series
This year saw the launch of our very first podcast series! We wanted to celebrate and platform inspiring people and projects that have been a part of our journey so far: These projects represent a growing movement of communities dedicated to transforming land, housing, and civic infrastructure for the betterment of people and our planet.
We invite you to listen, learn, and be inspired by these powerful conversations. Find out more and listen again here.
10. A long term community space for Oxford’s City Centre
In November we were excited to announce our involvement in the regeneration project of 38-40 George Street, Oxford. This initiative, a collaboration with Marick Real Estate, Staycity, and Oxford City Council, signifies our first venture in establishing a long-term community space right in the heart of our city.
Find out more here, and stay tuned for more updates!
11. Future Thinking Together solidarity series launch
We were excited to launch the first of the Future Thinking Together solidarity series. These free sessions are dedicated to opening up access to resources and space in precarious times and building new forms of mutual support and solidarity.
The first session, held in November, was facilitated by Makespace directors Nigel Carter and Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani, also from Oxford Community Action and YWMP. We were blown away by the number of attendees and heartened by the inspirational conversation and connection in the room. Huge thanks to all those who attended and supported the session, and of course Lula for a wonderful lunch! Watch this space for more information on upcoming events.
12. 100 organisations housed / 200 jobs supported or created through Meanwhile in Oxfordshire Programme
Last but by no means least, we are thrilled to reach the milestone of housing 100 organisations and supporting or creating 200 jobs through the ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…’ programme.
This county-wide initiative was developed to reanimate underused space in our urban centres, but it has undoubtedly done far more than that: Read all about it here. The programme was developed by Oxford City Council, with funding secured by OxLEP from the central government’s Getting Building Fund.
We are thrilled to have reached this enormous milestone, and wouldn’t have done it without the support, enthusiasm and grit of our partners, funders, friends, residents and local community.
____________
That’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who has made this year so special. Wishing you all a restful end to 2023 and a wonderful new year.
