This week I have moved into a new office in Hackney. I have become part of the WeWork network and have taken on a dedicated desk in their new offices in London Fields, Hackney.
How come?
After working in a couple of different client’s offices for the past 10 months, I am happy to be back in my own space, setting my own hours, surrounded by other freelancers of other disciplines. I’ve done working from home before and it’s a great way to save money but for me, doing it long-term can make me feel very lonely.
A desk in a shared office is a great solution to loneliness – without the downsides of it being too expensive. I have also found in the past that by having your own desk/office, people are more likely to a: take you more seriosusly and b: let you work from there instead of working under their nose in their offices.
Why WeWork?
Whilst I was working in Holborn I visited a friend’s office which so happened to be a WeWork place and I thought this feels like a pretty good environment to work and meet clients. So when my last contract came to an end and I picked up a short contract with a US digital agency I decided I needed an office and I’d check out what was available. Then I saw WeWork had opened a new space a little closer to my home (it’s a 20 minute bike ride which avoids me have to cycle through central London) in Hackney so I decided to pick up a dedicated desk there.
I’ve been here for a week now and I am surrounded by other freelancers including journalists, architects, and translators to name but a few different jobs other people are doing here. There’s free tea and coffee – which makes a change from the last client’s offices where nothing was provided (for fear of them breaking IR35 rules) and there was constant milk-thievery from the fridge.
If you fancy checking out a WeWork office space – here is a referral link.