About us
Makespace Oxford was set up for, and by,
a coalition of local community groups and enterprises who were being priced out of one of the least affordable cities in the UK, and one of the most unequal.
We witnessed the rising number of vacant buildings on our high streets and began unlocking these on a temporary ‘meanwhile’ basis, transforming spaces into affordable, community driven places; nurturing connection and support – making a home for creatives, makers, doers, fixers and dreamers. And we use meanwhile as a catalyst to build towards community ownership and wider systemic change.
In the last 5 years we’ve scaled our model to bring back into use 30 vacant buildings, establishing hub spaces across Oxfordshire making space for nearly 200 purpose-driven groups – artists, tailers, weavers, makers, architects, community cafes, restaurants, dance theatres, roasters, organisers who want to build a mutually supportive community and prototype new forms of civic and social infrastructure.
The what & the why
At Makespace Oxford we believe the most sustainable building is the one you don’t have to build, and that all the skills and creativity we need to build vibrant, thriving places already exists locally, everywhere, it just needs the conditions to grow.
We are locally rooted and placed best, developing approaches relevant at a global scale.
We are now adapting and replicating this model with local groups across the country, with the ambition to transform our declining town centres into places owned and managed by the people that live there, building community wealth, climate resilience and fostering cultures of care and connection.
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2018
Makespace Oxford was founded by a coalition of local community groups and enterprises. 1 Aristotle Lane flung open its doors after sitting empty for 4 years, and remains home to two dozen freelancers and locally rooted charities, co-ops, makers and local businesses.
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2021
The ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire…’ programme was launched, unlocking 28 new buildings, as well as hub spaces in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage. To date, the programme has housed 100 organisations and created or supported at least 200 jobs.
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Today
We are replicating the ‘meanwhile’ model with groups across the country, to transform our declining town centres into places owned and managed by the people that live there; building community wealth, climate resilience and fostering cultures of care and connection.
Our Team
Alex works with our local communities to match individuals and organisations with spaces that will help them to thrive. With a background in cultural production and theatre, his previous work saw him touring the UK and Australia with drag queens, teaching theatre in schools and universities, and delivering large scale participation projects. As Meanwhile Space Project Manager, Alex is excited by the prospect of empowering communities of Oxfordshire to transform spaces and drive social change.
Alex Lui
he/him
Meanwhile Space Project Manager
Andy is a passionate social entrepreneur who has led a number of successful purpose-driven community businesses.
He is co-founder of Makespace Oxford and Programme Lead for the ‘Meanwhile in Oxfordshire’ programme, as well as co-founder, designer and architect at Transition by Design. He believes strongly in the power of space to create more inclusive and resilient local communities, and is committed to transforming, repurposing and reviving underused spaces in Oxfordshire.
Andy Edwards
he/him
Co-founder, Programme Lead & Director
After starting his career as a decorator, Dan dedicated nearly a decade to the fire service before pursuing an MA in Photography at the Royal College of Art. He has collaborated with organisations such as Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF) and Help Refugees. He is committed to social and cultural advocacy and has joined Makespace to leverage his practical knowledge of facilities, his artistic practice, and his passion for projects that foster community collaboration.
Dan Homewood
he/him
Facilities Coordinator
Claire joined Makespace Oxford in early 2020 with a wealth of experience in supporting independent businesses and social enterprises.
As Makespace Oxford’s Operations Manager, she takes care of all our systems and processes, and streamlines project resources so that we can be as efficient and effective as possible. Claire is passionate about supporting local socially conscious organisations and businesses across Oxfordshire.
Claire LeMaster
she/her
Operations Manager
Claire has been with Makespace Oxford since its inception.
She is an exceptional member of the team, dedicated to keeping our central buildings in tip-top shape. Leaving no stone unturned, Claire ensures that our spaces are always spick-and-span for our residents and the wider community.
Claire
Aristotle House-keeper
David joined Makespace in 2023 as a Facilities Coordinator. He has varied professional background, ranging from Computer Programmer to Maintenance Manager for a Cycle infrastructure company, using his broad range of skills to help repair, support and enhance buildings – by bike – wherever possible! David brings a lifelong passion for fixing and improving both things and spaces, which sits perfectly with the ethos of Makespace.
David Smart
he/him
Facilities Coordinator
Hannah joined the team in 2022 and is responsible for storytelling at Makespace Oxford. She is a creative thinker with a passion for social enterprise; bringing with her several years experience in visual arts and non-profit communications. As a professional photographer, she is dedicated to documenting purpose-driven enterprises and individuals. She is excited to be a part of the Makespace Oxford community and making an impact in her hometown.
Hannah Pye
She/her
Communications and Marketing Manager
Kay is part of the Community Development team at Makespace. She has over 25 years experience working with communities in different settings including theatre, building conservation and public art commissions; as well as being a Parish councillor and Community-led housing enabler. On a grassroots level, Kay has initiated inter-social art spaces that explore how communities relate to the space and people they encounter.
Kay Sentance
She/her
Community Coordinator
Molly is a recent addition to the Makespace team, bringing with her a passion for inclusivity, queer representation, art, and supporting small and purposeful businesses. With a background in events, arts and community building, Molly is excited to use her skills to help create welcoming and supportive environments for all members of the community. In her free time, she is an artist, an avid gardener, and a volunteer for queer non-profit T(ART) Productions.
Molly Palmer
She/they
Community Coordinator
Ruth joined the team in April 2022 and is responsible for organisational development, business planning and financing strategy at Makespace. She brings over 20 years’ experience managing charities within the arts of sector and as a freelance general manager working with emerging businesses. Ruth is excited by the diversity of organisations connected by Makespace and making a difference through our mission and values.
Ruth Cadiot
she/her
Operations Director
Sarah joined the Makespace Oxford team in 2022, working with the residents to support their projects, build community and help Makespace Oxford buildings thrive. She has worked in community development in Oxford for the last 10 years, establishing community led social enterprises focused on education, community markets and sustainable economics. She brings a passion and enthusiasm for innovative and participatory ways of working.
Sarah Thorne
she/her
Community Coordinator
Ashufta is a civil servant focusing on helping the poorest communities and regions in developing countries promote sustainable development.
She grew up in East Oxford and is excited, through Makespace Oxford, to support action that enables equal access to spaces and opportunities for all groups that make up our diverse local community. She trained as an infrastructure specialist and is also UK Chartered Environmentalist.
Ashufta Alam
she/her
Chair
Our Board
Bart is a member of our Board, and an experienced leader and manger working in a range of organisations.
He is one of Makespace Oxford’s Directors and also our Treasurer, with an overview of our financial plans. His areas of expertise are people and team management, but he has also managed estates refurbishment and construction projects. Bart is most interested in helping people and communities find and develop new ways of working together.
Bart Ashton
he/him
Board Member
Selin Nugent is an anthropologist working at the intersection of digital ethics, sustainable communities, and cultural heritage. Alongside her role on the board of Makespace, she is Assistant Director of the Institute for Ethical AI at Oxford Brookes University and Director-at-Large for the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus. She is has been an enthusiastic member of the Makespace community for many years as a potter with Sabali Pots, and is excited for the opportunity to support the mission to enhance inclusivity and accessibility to space and expand positive social impact on Oxford as a board member.
Selin Nugent
she/her
Board Member
Zahra is the award-winning co-founder and director of YWMP – an intersectional feminist charity that offers access to free workshops, resources, and mentoring to women and non-binary people.
Zahra has been a workshop facilitator in Oxfordshire for 18 years, delivering music technology, drumming, and songwriting sessions to young people and vulnerable adults in many different settings. Zahra’s goal is to build meaningful connections between different communities in Oxford so that support can be distributed mindfully to those who need it most.
Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani
Board Member