Makespace Oxford stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We have taken time to reflect, take to the streets in solidarity, and consider how any collective statement might offer a meaningful declaration of our commitment towards the deep work and sustained action needed to carry us forwards. Racial injustice has strong roots in the colonial […]
At Makespace Oxford we have always tried to create spaces that offer a community environment for socially conscious groups and organizations. We have prided ourselves on providing affordable spaces in Oxford by acquiring short term ‘meanwhile’ leases from landlords with empty property, refurbishing them and renting them to charities, businesses, artists and makers. Our efforts over the […]
This Saturday we had a fantastic time celebrating Makespace Oxford’s first birthday with many members of our networks and local community – and looking forward to another incredible year ahead! In just a year we have become a working home to over 30 purpose-driven local businesses, organisations and individuals, and had frequent community events attracting over 2,000 […]
Hi, I’m Ab. Let me tell you about my old morning routine. 7:30am wake up – and instead of leaping out of bed, filled with the kind of joyous freedom being your own boss bestows upon you, I spent an additional 1.5 hours lying in a state of panic and indecision as I tried to figure out […]
Emma Gordon, Makespace Coordinator on being part of a community-led and grassroots call to put empty shops to better use. Photos by Youssef Sida. Last night Makespace Oxford attended the “What to do about Oxford’s empty shops” community discussion group at Open House on Little Clarendon Street and what a turn out! Starting from a little post […]
When it comes to housing and homelessness, we need to talk. Oxford has a big problem with housing and homelessness. You don’t need to read the headlines to notice that there are more people sleeping rough in Oxford than ever before. 2017’s ‘street count’, the way the national government records the number of people sleeping rough found […]
Christmas has come early at Makespace Oxford as residents have been gently serenaded with Christmas carols coming from behind the doors of the Inspire Sounds recording studio. In this blog, Kingsley Pratt-Boyden explains why, and how you can support them. Recently, through local charity Be Free Young Carers, we’ve been working with an incredible group of young […]
Katie Reilly, Architectural Assistant at Transition by Design writes about the experience of moving a cooperative architecture and design studio into Makespace Oxford. For the last three and a half years Turl Street Kitchen has been home to the Transition by Design studio where we’ve shared a space with our friends from mental health charity Student Minds. […]
Makespace Oxford received special recognition last night at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards ceremony. The annual event held by the Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) celebrates the achievements of the third sector to a packed audience at the Town Hall. Makespace Oxford won the “Innovation” award for organisations who have “implemented significant change over the […]