"The way we work is constantly evolving, with an increasing number of entrepreneurs launching their first start-up from home and established companies offering their employees remote working"
Ciara Keeling
Bruntwood Works has launched a new initiative to help combat the potential loneliness felt by those working remotely.
The scheme, Free Workspace Wednesdays, has been set up by the provider of inspirational workspaces in a bid to offer freelancers, start-ups and ‘homepreneurs’ the opportunity to feel part of a community and fuel their creativity.
Taking place at Bruntwood buildings across the North West, the events will be held once a month, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday 20 March.
The launch follows research from Barclays that found more than a third of people who were working remotely had experienced feelings of loneliness, while more than 60% attributed such emotions to not having colleagues around them with whom to share ideas.
The research, which highlighted how two in five UK businesses are now home-based, prompted Bruntwood Works to step up its existing commitment to creating much-needed business communities.
Among those championing the cause for collaborative workspaces to reduce isolation among workers is Herb Kim, founder of TEDx events in Liverpool and Manchester.
He said “Having held events for a wide cross-section of the community, it’s plain to see that bringing together people from various disciplines creates a thriving hub of knowledge and creativity.
“For some, the traditional office space isn’t right, but working in isolation all of the time can be counter-productive, so I’m not surprised that so many people prefer co-working with other professionals from a variety of backgrounds. It’s fascinating how minds from different industries or backgrounds can come together to share their insight on a particular topic and that’s why this sort of scheme is so important."
Free Workspace Wednesdays offers free wi-fi and refreshments and, of course, a desk for the day. Locations include: Cotton Exchange, Liverpool; Trafford House, Stretford; Wilderspool Park, Warrington; and 111 Piccadilly, Manchester.
It is hoped that the scheme will encourage homepreneurs to develop a new way of working and help them build vital networks.
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, said: “The way we work is constantly evolving, with an increasing number of entrepreneurs launching their first start-up from home and established companies offering their employees remote working to promote flexibility.
“While working from home during the hours that suit you and in the environment you feel comfortable and most creative can have a multitude of benefits, it’s also important to surround yourself with like-minded people from time to time. This may be to swap tips and share ideas, make valuable connections or simply to feel the buzz of a working community, and that’s why we introduced Free Workspace Wednesdays.
“We want to offer people a place that effectively allows them to have the freedom of working remotely, but enjoy a sense of collaboration, too.”
