Our modern, high tech coworking offices are the answer for those who are finding the confinements of working from home are having an adverse affect on their well-being. Coworking is the renting of a desk within an office, where the office is shared by like-minded entrepreneurs and business people from a variety of companies and vocations. It is well documented that as humans we need interaction with others and this is a main reason for coming to the office. Bringing people together facilitates the connections that inspire creativity, innovation, learning, growth and belonging. Within a coworking office, high achieving professionals are working in different business fields, with their own skills and goals, and as a result there is little direct competition or internal politics, but respect and a willingness to share information to help each other succeed. Socialisation and interaction however, should never be forced and just by having the opportunity to connect with others, enables everyone to feel part of the community.
Working in an office adds routine to the day, something that for many has been missing these past 18 months. The process of getting ready for work, physically and mentally, gives a sense of purpose and structure to the working day. Working from the kitchen table or in the bedroom may be achievable short term but when there are distractions, discomfort and children interrupting your video call, tolerance of this situation can wear a little thin. Pets, as lovely as they are can be a distraction too. How many have a cat, that as soon as the laptop comes out they see it as a means of getting some undivided attention by walking across the keyboard? How many are working from home and heating the house for one? With energy prices increasing, perhaps it is more cost effective to work in a warm and comfortable office where the service costs are usually included.
There has also been recent talk of the detrimental effect on the children of those working from home where work /home boundaries are often greyed. How often does a child’s facial expression drop when they hear the phone ring during their ‘storytime’ for instance? A child’s home was for many, a relaxed place of retreat from the school day before the Covid pandemic began. It is often now for many, a place of intrusive phone calls, and a place filled with the clutter of work files and papers. This has also created feelings of stress and guilt for parents as they have been torn between the needs of their children and the requirements of work.
Many are now following or are considering a ‘hybrid model’ way of working, where some will opt to go into the main office, whilst others will continue to work from home. Some entrepreneurs will have a mix of both, whilst others will opt to go into a local business hub for a day or two a week, (often in the suburbs or countryside), with the opportunity for some to cash in on the health benefits of cycling, running or walking to the office. The pandemic has allowed the opportunity for many to reassess what is important in their lives and a realisation that they no longer want to spend hours of their life driving to and from work, especially in areas of congestion and pollution. It allows freedom with a working routine, it costs a fraction of the cost of an office, not to mention the cost of travelling. You meet other like-minded people and although they may not be your own business colleagues, a community network enabling the sharing of ideas can be just as beneficial.
Coworking spaces are becoming more popular. Each coworking community has it’s own vibe, which can help individuals create a sense of structure and discipline that enspires them.
Our immaculate offices are situated within the picturesque Cromford Mills, being part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site. Steeped in history, it is amazing to see the old combined with the new in a sympathetic way. Cromford Creative has retained the beautiful beams, the outer 4ft thick walls and the deep-set original windows. Inside it is warm and comfortable with glass and ironwork complementing the wood and the old brickwork.
Having recently upgraded our Broadband width to 1GB it is a match for any of the Corporate London and inner-city offices. For many, zoom meetings will remain part of the working week, and can be undertaken at Cromford Creative, either in the office or in our fully equipped meeting rooms.
How often and when you work is entirely up to you, which is beneficial to achieving work/life balance. It could be ad hoc on a daily basis, or 2 or 3 times a week, or full time. You may wish to ‘hot desk’ whereby you choose a desk from which to work each time you come to the office, or you could choose to have a ‘fixed desk’, whereby you rent the desk as your own and leave your equipment, ready to use when next in. Access to the office is 24/7. This enables you to work late to meet that deadline, or pop to the gym during lunchtime.
Tea and coffee is provided and our popular on-site cafes produce beautiful home cooked food and the scones are a must! Surrounded by tranquil countryside, including beautiful river walks what better place to come to work. Cromford Creative also provides shower facilities and a safe place to house bicycles.
Being the home of start-ups since 1771 with Sir Richard Arkwright Cotton Mills, being the first factory system. His legacy today is as true today as it has ever been.