Since Making Theatre Gaining Skills started back in 2011 we have spent many years moving between temporary venues of varying degrees of comfort and always searching for a permanent home. We are delighted to announce that we have found a wonderful building in Bognor Regis and moved in at the beginning of October.

It is a large industrial building very conveniently located just two minutes’ walk from Bognor railway station on Longford Road. Owned by Reynolds Furniture, it was until recently used as a furniture showroom. We have taken a lease on the building in partnership with the Aldingbourne Trust and the building will be named The Bognor Makerspace.

All of Making Theatre Gaining Skills projects will be based in this building and we also intend to develop puppetry as this is a growing aspect of our work with participants. The plan is to run a series of short courses and also offer drop-in learning sessions for people who are eager to develop their skills and gain vital qualifications.

Parts of the building will be available for other groups to use such as private advice and consulting rooms and practical workshop spaces. As before, our primary focus is to help young people and adults who have learning difficulties or mental health issues and already some of our clients have been in to look around. It will take a little time to organise all the facilities (including the installation of two, fully accessible toilets!) but there is enormous potential and we are so excited about what will be possible.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our funders; it has meant that we can plan positively for the future and deliver even more programmes and activities in West Sussex.