How coworking supports the wellbeing agenda
When I set up The Epping Connection, I didn’t want it to just be full of hot desks and meeting rooms. I wanted the space to be a hub of health and where our coworkers and members feel looked after.
I’ve loved visiting coworking spaces and meeting venues in Central London over the years, and stole many of the ideas that I saw. At the same time, in setting up for TEC, I had to be really conscious of the space we have and how to make good use of it, without compromising on what people are coming here for.
We provide breakfast and fresh fruit everyday. It is easy to make decisions about food where you just eat whatever’s available on the high street and not think about if it’s helping your body. By providing these options, we also don’t want our members to feel that they have to rush. They can come in, eat as they need, and get on the high street to do their shopping later.
We’re a 24/7 business. For a local business on the high street in a town like Epping, that’s an odd thing to offer. But the thing is, people have a variety of needs when it comes to work. We might be formally open from 8am-6pm, but many of our members will come in earlier, stay later and even come in at the weekends if they need. Our smart door entry system means they have access on their terms and they can take care of their home/caring/parenting needs as needed, and use our space to fit in with their schedule. We don’t want our members to work late into the night, but if that’s what they need, I don’t need them to be restricted due to our working practice.
Our chill out space is sacred. I am not letting that space go. Ever. Yes we have a comfy sofa, and bean bags, and Netflix is available, as well as a small library, but they’re just features. What that nook really provides is a space of calm. It’s available how people need, and I love seeing our members and coworkers go there.
We have natural plants cos they bring life to the space. I don’t mean that in a zen, lefty, hippy kind of way. Without plants, the place would look and feel very different. When we see plant life, we breathe and we take a pause. And with Epping Forest literally on our doorstep, we’d be fools not to benefit from having our own plants here when people can’t get to the fields and forests themselves.
We are a really sociable bunch. But we completely respect people’s privacy and their need to plug in, get their head down and be productive. Our coworkers and members come to us because they can shoot the breeze, make friends in Epping, and feel like they’re part of a community. Research and philosophy tell us clearly that we are social creatures by nature, and we cultivate that.
Members and coworkers avoid the commute into the city. And with hybrid working experiments happening all over the place, we’re really conscious that we want people in Epping to feel they have a viable alternative to the commute. Just getting into Stratford is 30 mins. Into Liverpool Street about 40 mins, and into Oxford Circus about 50 mins. That’s before you have to go further.
Our toilets are well equipped. The best experience I had of a toilet was unexpectedly in a coworking space, and I realised what they provided was sanitary products, and health products. Not just soap and bleach. I knew I wanted our members and coworkers to feel that they would never be caught without, or have to make a dash to Superdrug in an emergency.
I’m sure that there are other reasons why a coworking space is good for your wellbeing, but I think these points are right up there. Book your tour and come check us out. We’d love for you to feel that you have a place to work from in Epping which is on your doorstep.
