A creative group looking to provide a space for people working on a variety of projects has secured a space in Wyeshem, reports Lauren Meredith.

Make Monmouth is holding an open evening on Thursday, May 5, from 8pm to 10pm at their new base in the Woodland Stores.

Matt Macdonald-Wallace, a co-founder of Make Monmouth, says: “It’s about getting people out of their garages where they might feel isolated and into a shared space.”

In the past, members have used the space to do anything from furniture painting to making robots.

In the future, the group hopes to provide members with access to the equipment they may not have room for or be able to afford.

Once successful with getting this new build, they would be able to provide 24/7 access for full members.

Full memberships are £10. Part-time memberships are £5.

The membership only covers the rent and the insurance of the club’s venue, but as the group continues to grow, they hope to be able to provide equipment.

Matt says: “Because we are set up as a not for profit, we can invest into buying tools, improving the space and having the space open every week.”

The group has requested funding from Monmouth Town Council for this, but they are unsure if this has been successful yet.

While acknowledging there are similar organisations in Monmouth, Matt says he believes Make Monmouth is more inclusive and less intimidating.

Matt says: “We want to get everyone from across the whole spectrum of society in Monmouth and surrounding areas, regardless of background, to turn up to this workshop and build stuff.

“We aren’t putting in the types of restrictions you may find in other groups.”

Matt explained the social benefits of joining Make Monmouth. “It’s a good opportunity to meet new people,” he said.

Matt started the group four years ago after he put up a Facebook post.

He said: “I put an email out and a couple of Facebook posts saying if there are any other geeks in Monmouth, I will be sat in Estero Lounge on Thursday night at eight, come and say hi.”

Now, he runs the group with three other directors following the successful Facebook appeal.

Before Covid, they had a few people working on many different projects. However, they haven’t had as many people return and hope the open evening will change that.

“We are trying to encourage those people to come back.

‘‘Come on down, bring your stuff and build things; it’s a good laugh,” Matt said.

For more information on Make Monmouth, go to www.makemonmouth.co.uk