We have exciting news! We’ve received funding from The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund to launch a new three-year programme with two interconnected strands: 1. Future Spaces Over the next three years, Makespace Oxfordshire will be setting up two public common rooms, aka future spaces, one in Oxford (opening 2027) and one in Abingdon (opening 2028). These will […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]