Independent Workers of the World, Unite

Co-working is a new initiative that is gaining ground with every step. Rather than working alone in cafes or libraries, freelancers are coming together in areas specially developed as shared work space where ideas, encouragement and experience can be freely exchanged.

So What is Co-working?

Co-working is a term first used in 2005 by Brad Neuberg, to describe a physical working space where people can work independently, as freelancers, but together. Shared creative space is not an entirely new concept, it is something which has long been favoured by artists sharing studio spaces, but it is now being used in new ways. Over the last few years, as more and more people have gained the option to work from home, suddenly the office hasn’t seemed like a bad place. Of course there are downsides to office work, such as unreasonable commutes, restrictive work schedules and often, uncomfortable surroundings. But one aspect that many people have missed is the social side. Colleagues are a remarkable source of support, inspiration and entertainment. Working from home can often be isolated and challenging; home space is for rest, not work, and freelancers often find themselves easily distracted and conversely, unable to ever distance themselves from their work. In response to this, freelancers often take to local coffee shops in order to prevent cabin fever, but this is not the ideal solution.

One alternative on the rise is the development of co-working office spaces. These are more relaxed than traditional offices, and users can come and go as they please, but they have the added benefit of other people. It may sound trivial, but research has shown that human interaction is beneficial to your work, even if you are working alone. With this in mind, in 2006, Neuberg set up the Hat Factory in San Francisco. The Hat Factory was one of the first co-working spaces to be established, but the idea has very quickly taken off from there. Recognising the benefits of co-working, entrepreneurs and businesses have begun setting up their own work spaces across America and, in the last four years, the idea has spread across the globe.

Co-working can take many different forms. The space can be exclusively for people working in a specific industry, or it can bring a whole host of different trades together. Paragraph in New York City was designed ‘by writers for writers’ and provides a positively utopian workspace for those in this field, whilst Independent Hall in Philadelphia states that their space is for ‘designers, developers, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, small business owners, telecommuters, marketers, videographers, game developers, and more’. It can be a space which adheres to conventional working hours or offers more flexible options. It can also be an informal event, known as Jelly, or a more permanent arrangement. Jelly was created by Amit Gupta and Luke Crawford in New York in early 2006 when they realised that they missed elements of the office. They began inviting friends to their home to work for the day. Like co-working offices, Jelly has taken off in a big way. Today, anyone can organise a working event with a social aspect, in their homes, local coffee shop or office space. They can be as often as twice a week or as little as once every few months.

One thing that all of these enterprises have in common is the so-called ‘co-working philosophy’. This philosophy places emphasis on the core principles of collaboration, openness, community, accessibility and sustainability. Most co-working spaces pride themselves on the ability to provide a supportive community of like-minded people, places where people want to help each other achieve their own individual goals. The focus is on creativity over competition, something which can be lacking in traditional offices. Ultimately, the aim of co-working is to offer an enjoyable and productive alternative to working alone.

What have we in Britain?

British initiatives have quickly caught up with their American counterparts in this phenomenon and co-working spaces are now cropping up all over the UK. In London there is The Cube. Advertised as ‘co-working space for ideas and enterprise’; The Cube places a great deal of emphasis upon collaboration, highlighting not just the advantages of office space, but the potential to collaborate with others and create new ideas. This co-working space is for freelancers from any field, therefore the chance to collaborate is diverse.

In the last month a new co-working space called Indycube has opened in the Cardiff area, which is designed specifically for ‘self-employed creative media workers’. This is a relatively diverse range, as the publicity has outlined, from designers to journalists, but the limitations on the field nevertheless restrict the diversity and ensure a cross-over of interests amongst the members.

The opening of a new co-working office space at this time is an encouraging move. The fact that, in the middle of a recession, co-working office space is still a legitimate prospect for businesses, would suggest that the movement has an illustrious future. Freelancers are still able to support themselves, however difficult times may be, and we still want to invest in an opportunity to work with others of a similar mindset. The fact is undeniable that co-working is an appealing prospect: the chance to work amongst people who will willingly share their experience and advice, just for a cup of tea; the opportunity to collaborate with others; and the chance to get your home back, no longer dread those long hours spent trying to focus in an isolated room, but pick up on the positive buzz of a co-working office.

And in Edinburgh…?

Edinburgh Screenworks is a co-working space in the Edinburgh area, for those working in the creative industries. We provide quiet desk space, free wireless, locker storage, a postal address, free printing and a room that can be booked for use for business meetings etc., not to mention free biscuits, tea and coffee, a great working atmosphere and the potential to network with others working in your field. Drop by some time for a free tour and a chat about the space, or visit our website: http://edinburghscreenworks.co.uk.

Alternatively, come along to our free Jelly event on Friday the 25th June from 1pm to 6pm; have lunch, work and network. Use this opportunity to meet people, make contacts, try out our work-space, or simply to get some work done in a creative environment.