WRCH Haven & Makerspace

20/10/2026

Our Trustees ARE working hard to get things moving. The grant decision took a while, as expected, however it meant all the quotes for the bits we need all went out of date – and many are likely to have been ‘Trumped’ up. The job of re-contacting potential suppliers and getting them to agree new prices is already underway.

We knew the biggest item, the Makerspace Workshop, always had a ‘lead time’, a period of waiting between ordering and delivery, because it has to be refurbished to our specifications. Most of the interior fitments are down to us. Reality means everything we obtain has to be stored IN the workshop until used, so we can’t order those items until we know the delivery date for the unit.

On the day of the unit’s delivery we could do with a hand to assist in levelling it all up, so a few volunteers who don’t creak when they bend would be very helpful. Your Trustees are mostly 70+ and almost past hard physical effort, but they can supervise. Please let us know if you might be able to lend a hand on the day by email. Address it to [email protected].

Getting the facility set up is just one part of the ‘Start Up’. The other part is to get the organisation itself reinvigorated. We shall be looking for further (smallish) grants to upgrade, and expand, our range of facilities for members. To get any grant we will need evidence of membership.

Now is the time to decide if you wish to join us. You will need some information to make that decision and we will try to get you FULLY informed. Below is the start of that ‘briefing’ – we welcome questions and will do our best to answer them quickly.

Firstly, the Makerspace Project is an initiative of the Haven (West Radnor Community Haven). The Haven is a registered charity,no.1192686 formed in 2020.

It has taken 6 years to find a suitable site to set up our Makerspace because of Health and Safety reasons. Many older folk have respiratory problems and do not enjoy, perhaps can’t tolerate, dusty atmospheres. Additionally, you can’t talk much in a noisy place. A suitable site for us is one that allows us to separate the workshop, with its noise and dust, from a comfortable space to take a break and relax.

The Haven is completely non-discriminatory but does recognise that sometimes men and women prefer to work in segregated groups. The ‘sessions’ in the Makerspace will recognise this need. There will be some ‘men’s shed’ sessions and some ‘she shed’ sessions as well as ‘all together’ sessions that are just sharing interests. With a potential for 84 sessions every 4 weeks there will be time for members to follow a great many interests.

We do have some simple rules. Each session must have at least 2members present (NO lone working) and one must be a responsible Group Leader. Group Leaders for workshop sessions must be approved by the Trustees as competent to supervise the work undertaken in that session. We don’t think that will difficult to set up. Only members may use our facilities and no-one under the age of 18 is allowed to work in the workshop unless this has been specifically agreed with the Trustees. Sorry folks but those are some of the rules and are based on legal and insurance requirements.

Every application for membership must be approved by the Trustees before the applicant uses the facilities and a short ‘probation’ may be used to find out what the applicant can do safely.

05/10/2026

The Wake Up call has arrived! Wet Radnor Community Haven's dream has become reality! This week the Haven has been told that we have the grant funding to set up the Makerspace!
What is a Makerspace? It is a Community Shed where residents can share interests and hobbies. Where they can help each other make things for themselves and the community/ More than a Men's Shed as some sessions will encourage MEN and WOMEN to share the use of the workshop.
Some sessions may be men only, some may be women only but many sessions will be open to all. There will be a carpenters workshop but also a space for 'clean crafts' and fabric crafts. There might even be a model aircraft session now and again,

Having woken from the dream the hard work starts.
The first task is to find a suitable workshop and get it on site,and that will take a few weeks at least. The engine has started, now we need to get into gear!
We will try to keep you informed on Facebook but if you want to be kept informed just message us and we will pop you on our mailing list. You can withdraw at any time.

Send a message to learn more

02/10/2026

WE GOT IT! Today West Radnor Community Haven's Makerspace Project changed from dream to reality and we can actually start things moving.
We have just been sent the official email notification that our bid for almost £20,000 of National Lottery
funding has been approved. Let the journey begin!
The funds may take a week or two to arrive in our bank but the Trustees have just kicked the project into gear.
Firstly we have to turn a draft ground rent agreement with Movement, Recreation and Culture into the 'real deal'.
Not just finalising an agreement to put the Workshop in the rear of the centre at the bottom of Oxford Road, Llandrindod
but agreeing the ways we will cooperate to benefit OUR members.
At the same time, the Trustees have to re-examine every element of the grant bid. Over 6 months have passed since we drew up the list
of what was needed and every price will be likely to have changed. We now have to get in contact with every potential supplier
and get new quotes to make sure we squeeze the best value out of every penny we spend.
The journey for starting and running a project like this is like starting and running a steam locomotive - we have been told to go
ahead but nothing seems to be happening - a bit like getting up steam. We can start to light the fire and that will take a bit of time to get
going - for the project that's getting a formal 5 year agreement with MRC.
Then we will have to wait while it gets up steam - getting ready to go, That for us is getting a 'pre-used' Site Office refurbished
into a suitable workshop made and delivered to the Makerspace site.
That's when there will be 'something to see' We will then start a photo library of progress from that point and post it out
a couple of times a week (we hope).
Until then please be patient, the surface might seem to be still but a lot is going on out of sight.

28/09/2026

Dream On! The expected decision day for the Makerspace grant application has now passed, but no word yet! It should mean we know yea or nay this week (or next week if we are being pessimistic).

We ask to bear with us, cross your fingers and maybe say a little prayer. This weekend sees the launch of a big consultation by the Powys Training Health Board including ‘The physical and mental wellbeing of the older generations’. West Radnor Community Haven (us) have been stating to the for years that a community workspace offers an internationally recognised method of improving the wellbeing of mature residents by encouraging women to chat whilst sharing ‘non competitive’ interests and chatting and by encouraging men to work together ‘shoulder to shoulder’ in small teams doing ‘something productive’. It used to called ‘Enjoying company’ but probably has some pseudo-scientific name these days.
When we get the go-head (we are optimists!) we will be looking for some help in setting things up. Small teams doing simple but satisfying jobs under supervision – it will be a lesson or two in DIY. Sadly we are now looking at late October/early November so days, and sessions, will be shorter and it will take more days to do the work.

We will be hoping small numbers who have a bit of DIY experience will volunteer to help. If you have ever put in a kitchen unit you have the skills we are looking for. If you have any experience making things from wood we’d LOVE to use you. If you can paint a wall or a door we will find a job for you to do. Even steadying a stepladder and passing the tools whilst someone works on it is a very useful task. If you feel you can help, even a little (or a lot) please PM us and let us know what you would like to offer. Thanks.

23/09/2026

How very true!

21/09/2026

21/09/2026

The end of the dream is in sight!. Our dream of having a Makerspace in the Mid Powys Area.
We should know the result of our grant application in the next week or two, according to the guys at National Lottery,
This week's images are a reminder of that dream, the unit and the internal layout plan.
Based on a 10m by 3m (refurbished) Portable Site Office and working completely 'off grid' it will provide a space where men and women can share interests and hobbies, and enjoy crafting in company.
The internal layout will be built by the members themselves. It will have a 'Clean Craft Studio' at one end for fabric, paper and computer based crafts that is physically separated from the 'Woodworking Workshop' - which inevitably creates dust and a bit of noise - at the other end.
With the potential for being open 7 days a week, activities are largely only limited by the imagination of the member.
It will be at the bottom end of Oxford Street, Llandrindod, close to the 'transport hub' of the station, and members will have access to the social facilities of the MRC.

07/09/2026

Waking from the Dream!
Waking Up? The Haven should know the decision on our Makerpace grant application in the next week or two. Our fingers are crossed that it goes in our favour!
Can YOU help us if IF it does go our way?.
There will be a burst of action by the Trustees to start things moving once told, but then nothing will appear to happen for a wee while. It has been 4 months since we applied for the grant and our quotes are now all ‘out of date’ so our first task will be ‘re-cost’ everything and order what we need.
Delivery of major items, like the workshop unit, might take a short while and work can’t start until then.
Whilst waiting we will need to set up a working party or two of ‘Founder Members’ to start work when the unity is on site. We need to install our own interior fittings after it is delivered. This could be a useful practice run for anyone thinking of updating their own kitchen – learning on the job!. Help from anyone who has done a kitchen before will be especially welcome.
Our Trustees will be looking at what incentives could be offered to become such a ‘Founder Member’ and would be interested in what YOU think they should consider – let us know please.

Dylai The Haven wybod y penderfyniad ar ein cais am grant Makerpace yr wythnos neu ddwy nesaf. Mae ein bysedd wedi’u croesi ein bod ni’n cael rhywbeth o’n plaid! Allwch CHI ein helpu os bydd hyn yn mynd ein ffordd? Bydd y Ymddiriedolwyr yn cychwyn ar dipyn o weithred unwaith y cawn wybod, ond wedyn ni fydd dim yn ymddangos i ddigwydd am gyfnod bach. Mae’n 4 mis ers i ni wneud cais am y grant ac mae ein dyfynbrisiau’n hollol ‘allan o ddyddiad’ erbyn hyn, felly ein tasg gyntaf fydd ailddefnyddio’r prisiau a gorchymyn yr hyn sydd ei angen arnom. Gallai cyflenwi eitemau mawr, fel y modiwl gweithdy, gymryd ychydig o amser ac ni all y gwaith ddechrau tan hynny. Tra’n aros bydd angen inni greu un neu ddwy o barti gweithio o ‘Aelodau Sefydlydd’ i ddechrau gweithio pan fydd y modiwl ar y safle. Rhaid i ni osod ein gosodiadau mewnol ein hunain ar ôl ei ddanfon. Gallai hyn fod yn gyfle hyfforddi defnyddiol i unrhyw un sy’n meddwl am ddiweddaru eu cawod eu hunain – dysgu wrth weithio! Bydd unrhyw help gan unrhyw un sydd wedi gosod cegin o’r blaen yn hynod o groesawgar.
Bydd ein Ymddiriedolwyr yn edrych ar ba ysgogiadau gellid eu cynnig i ddod yn ‘Aelod Sefydlwr’ ac byddent yn awyddus i wybod beth rydych chi chi’n meddwl y dylent ystyried – rhowch wybod i ni os gwelwch yn dda.

24/08/2026

A Reminder. Why ‘craft alone’ when you can ‘craft in company’ and share tips and ideas.Our Makerspace project is to set up a Community Shed - a workshop and craft area open to all aged over 18 to allow them to share their interests and hobbies. An application for funding has been made and the decision is should soon be revealed. For more information our page is WRCH Haven & Makerspace (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100086773816667) and our website is https://radnormakerspace.com. The funding decision is due very soon. Some of our supporters have asked about ‘men only’ (Men’s Shed?) or ‘women only (She Shed) sessions. Neither is a problem for the Makerspace. We would like to think most sessions will not discriminate against anyone attending. We fully embrace ‘self help’ and do not intend to provide ‘lessons’. We believe in the olmethod of ‘explain, show, copy and try yourself’ to pick up skills and ‘practice makes perfect’.A condition is that at least 2 members must be in the workshop at the same time, and at least one of those must have been checked out as competent to use the tools available. Currently no under 18’s will be allowed to use the workshp. Those 2 conditions are required by UK Health and Safety rules and our insurers. Having a competent person in every session should allow members to share skills and get any advice they need.
Note: Our images are AI generated to avoid copyright issues.

17/08/2026

Dream on a little longer yet! We hope to have a decision from National Lottery in the next few weeks.
It will take a while to go 'wake up from the dream' as we move from decision to 'up and running' but we are optimists that it won't be too long.
Card making and decoupage have been popular (but a bit lonely) We could host a group to share ideas and skills in the 'studio' end of the workshop.
The studio section is designated for use by 'clean crafts only' and will be separated from the 'workshop' by a partition wall.
A book reading group has been suggested - not a problem - it could use an evening session, once a week, once a month or just now and again. We hope to have up to 3 sessions every day available, that is 21 sessions per week, that's up to 84 'slots' a month. Plenty of 'slots' for all.
Les & the Team