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Oxfordshire’s Glimpses of a Possible Future (Part 3)

A woman and a child tending to a raised bed

Glimpses of Spatial Justice  Welcome to part three of our analysis of Glimpses of a Possible Future, our podcast series, where we’ll be linking things back to Makespace’s dimensions of spatial justice. Check out part one and part two, if you haven’t already.  How does all this relate back to Makespace’s understanding of (at least) five dimensions […]

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Oxfordshire’s Glimpses of a Possible Future (Part 2)

A group of Makespace residents enjoying lunch together in a common room

Themes emerging from the conversations In this instalment, we’ll be delving into the themes that emerged from our conversations. If you didn’t mean to start here, go back to part one.  A healthy, thriving neighbourhood relies on equitable access to space To some, a building might just be a building. But, to local community groups, organisers, charities, […]

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Oxfordshire’s Glimpses of a Possible Future: What It Takes to Grow Thriving Places

Micaela Tuckwell working behind the bar in the UPP, pouring coffee for an unseen guest

Photo: Ed Nix Earlier this year, we sat down with people bringing about the change we need in our neighbourhoods. We’ve taken a step back to reflect on the ideas that kept resurfacing, how they connect to Makespace’s work, and what these organisations can teach us about building a socially just, ecologically safe future. As we set […]

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12 Days of Impact: 2025 in reflection

In the closing days of 2025, we posted on social media about the impact Makespace Oxfordshire had over the prior 12 months. Here’s a round-up of these posts. 1. 250+ organisations supported into space 🤝 First up, we hit a big milestone this year. We reached 250 organisations that we’ve supported into space. In fact, at the […]

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Who’s funding system change in Oxfordshire?

A group of people gardening

The urgent call for deep, long term investment in neighbourhood transformation In one of the wealthiest counties in England, too many people are still being left behind. Scratch beneath the surface of Oxfordshire’s prosperity and a different story soon emerges. So, what can we do to tackle the eye-watering inequality in Oxfordshire, and who is resourcing the […]

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A Look Back at Our International Women’s Day Event Series

Four images. The first depicts two women on stage at the Uncomfortable Oxford talk. The second shows a group of actors performing at The Source. The third shows a group of people in a circle on chairs. The fourth shows a portion of an artwork by Rana Ibrahim

Throughout March, Makespace celebrated International Women’s Day with a series of events. Women’s History Month gave us the perfect opportunity to focus on the women of our community.  From poetry to performance, dinner tables to discussion circles, it was a packed month that showed what can happen when women face fewer barriers to accessing space. Here’s a […]

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(Re)Founding: Our Vision for the Future

What if Oxfordshire was a healthy, thriving, just space for all for generations to come? That question drives us at Makespace. We’ve spent the last 18 months developing a long-term vision: to support communities across Oxfordshire to unlock space, build power, and shape a more just land and property system. Since 2018, we’ve reanimated 30 vacant buildings […]

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12 Days of Impact: A Look Back at 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking back on some unforgettable moments and milestones made possible by the power of our community. The 12 Days of Impact is a celebration and appreciation of the achievements that have shaped the past 12 months. A huge thank-you to our partners, residents and wider community who made this year […]

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18 months in South Abingdon

Building capacity and community connections together through creativity. In March 2023, we officially launched the South Abingdon arts and culture project. It was developed in partnership with the local council, and the aim was to build the capacity of local artists and expand creative opportunities in South Abingdon.  This ongoing regenerative arts project celebrates and supports local […]

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We did it! Now it’s time to take George Street to the next level…

The news this week is all about George Street. On 15 October, at a planning committee meeting, Oxford City Council approved the plans for redeveloping 38-40 George Street. This is a major milestone for us at Makespace. George Street offers us our first opportunity to unlock a long-term purpose built civic space after years (and continuing work) […]

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