“The British maker movement has seen dramatic growth since 2010, but is in desperate need of more support if it is to continue to rise” -Enterprise Nation

We’re happy to report that Just Got Made and the Just Got Made Weekender feature several times in Makers and Shakers: the Rise of the Maker Movement – a new report published by Enterprise Nation and Microsoft. Other featured maker movement hubs in the report include Etsy, Not on the High Street,Institute of Making, Tatty Devine and Makerversity.

The report reveals that while the number of maker spaces has boomed from nine to 97 in five years, 90% of entrepreneurs are still working from home and are being stifled by isolation, something that Just Got Made is working to address with it’s growing grassroots network and community, connecting makers and manufacturers directly with each other.

Noteable sections of interest to Just Got Made include:

NETWORK RECOMENDATIONS: Makers need to be connected to each other for skill swaps and knowledge exchange. Connections to customers build sales and revenue, and links with spaces deliver the resource and equipment produce the finished goods for sale. These connections have been enabled by technology with makers connected to manufacturers through directories such as Just Got Made, Make it British and Utelier. Connections to customers happen through powerful sales platforms such as Nothonthehighstreet.com and Etsy, along with connections to fellow makers via facebook groups, Yammer communities and meet-ups.  

Report recommendation is: Launch an online group for makers and their spaces to ensure cross-country and cross-sector collaborations, raised profile and discovery of areas requiring additional support.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS : To measure the contribution of the UK maker movement in economic statistics and indicators. Action for: Office for National Statistics

To match small businesses with maker spaces, through directories such as Just Got Made. Action for: Maker sector to spotlight central resources

For Large retailers to oversee ‘Made in Britain’ aisles in-store for food, furnishings, homewares, gifts etc so consumers can be in a better position to make a purchasing decision. Action for: DEFRA and large retailers.

We hope that this call for action kickstarts something bigger to address the many challenges facing the hard working makers of UK maker culture.

Download a copy of the report here: https://www.enterprisenation.com/blog/posts/rise-of-the-british-maker-movement-download-our-guide

Call for Action: 

How can we better support makers working at a grassroots level? Tweet us: @Just_Got_Made with your suggestions and comments.