Elena Giroli, Community Manager at Creative Works Space in London, is working through her first pregnancy while managing daily operations and receiving strong support from the coworking community. While the team attempted to expand services by adding childcare provision in a vacant downstairs space that had been empty for nearly three years, local council bid applications were rejected despite local demand.

Elena’s experience highlights the continued discussion around opportunities for coworking spaces to fill childcare support gaps through flexible membership models, on-site childcare partnerships, and peer networks, particularly for middle-class freelancers who struggle to access funded childcare due to fluctuating incomes.

Bernie Mitchell dives deeper into the concept of social capital, and how when approached from a community-building perspective, steps can be taken to build with intention.

Super glad to see a TWIC reference in there, but even gladder (is that a word!?) to see Elena Giroli’s amazing work at Creative Works Space in Walthamstow getting some of glow up it deserves.

Jim Sims shared a (now closed) opportunity from the Basildon Borough Council for a creative workspace operator to collaborate on running over 15k sqft of affordable and flex space.

According to the contracts finder listing, the contract value is £400k and has now closed, so I’m curious if it’ll land up being awarded to any of the names we know already, or someone new.