# Event Details - **Event Name**: YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 07 Jan, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Wed, 07 Jan, 2026 at 08:00 pm - **Event Description**: Networking for social artists - we could be mates!About this EventHappy New Year with the first YAY mates of 2026! Swap and test new materials on Wednesday 7 January 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm in Brentwood Theatre Café, 15 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AG.Looking to clear up the studio ready for 2026? Bring your pre-loved goodies to exchange with other creatives over a coffee and catch up. Who knows what a good swap could start?After the success of our summer event, we are inviting you to join us again in swapping your excess art materials or simply testing something new over a coffee with other creatives. Perhaps you got two of the same over Christmas, or you bought yourself too many Christmas POSCAs and now need to clear some room? (Naming no names...)We are also coming close to the Creative Co-Labs Brentwood microgrant application deadline of 12 January 2026 so perhaps its an ideal date to meet a future creative collaborator and try out some ideas together?YAY mates = you and your mates! YAY mates is an informal group of artists and their friends from East London & the edge of Essex that is welcoming of members from here and outside of the area. Our mission is to create a connection point for artists and to create projects together to improve our local cultural landscape and harness more opportunities.YAY mates is run by a cohort of 3 local creative organisations: Brennan & Burch, The No Collective and Well Social. The artist network is currently supported voluntarily by these organisations with help from the local creative community and all events are free with materials provided. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/fefc9910-e5af-11f0-a983-4dfa8e48b99b-rimg-w1200-h675-dc061114-gmir.jpg Finding Brentwood Theatre by car:Our postcode for SatNav is CM15 8AG. The Theatre is set back from the main road and not always easy to spot first time. If you are coming from the M25, exit at Junction 28 and follow signs to Brentwood. The car park adjacent to the Theatre is not our property and spaces are leased by other local businesses. Parking for our guests is available in nearby streets or local public car parks such as William Hunter Way, which is about five minutes’ walk away, next to Sainsbury’s. For more details and parking charges please visit Brentwood Borough Council’s website.Finding Brentwood Theatre by train:The Theatre is located almost the same distance from Shenfield and Brentwood stations. Both are approximately a 20 minutes walk away, or 5 minutes by taxi. If you are travelling from Stratford or London Liverpool Street, it is often quicker to take a fast train to Shenfield than the TFL line to Brentwood, although the fare may be more expensive. For train times, please check Trainline website which will also display prices. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/ff2fde10-e5af-11f0-bd93-bd33bdc4eb64-rimg-w740-h740-dc212121-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/ff656d00-e5af-11f0-bd93-bd33bdc4eb64-rimg-w1200-h675-dcd5c0c0-gmir.jpg YAY mates next meet-ups @ Brentwood Theatre Café:Wednesday 4 February 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 4 March 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 8 April 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 13 May 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 3 June 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 1 July 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 5 August 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 2 September 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 7 October 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 4 November 2026 6pm-8pmWednesday 9 December 2026 6pm-8pm - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/brentwood/yay-mates-edge-of-essex-workshop-swap-and-test/100001979315885094 - **Event Categories**: art, theatre, workshops - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Brentwood - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Brentwood Theatre - **lat**: 51.6221749 - **long**: 0.3065333000000001 - **full address**: Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/6243e159efb4b0961f9fb70c3afb7ba21e9fb47ed770732fb7adf592f4a036a9-rimg-w1200-h675-dc222222-gmir.jpg?v=1767120453 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test being held? - **A:** YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test takes place on Wed, 07 Jan, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Wed, 07 Jan, 2026 at 08:00 pm at Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test? - **A:** YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test is organized by YAY mates. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** YAY mates - Edge of Essex - Workshop - Swap and Test is ideal for learners, working professionals, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Brentwood, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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