An increasingly popular concept which connects home-based business owners with “colleagues” at one day ‘co-working events’ across the North-East continues to expand and is now holding events in Newton Aycliffe.
Colleagues on Tap was established by Jayne Graham, 49, a business coach and nominee in this year’s Queen’s Enterprise Awards, who wanted to ensure that the increasing number of people who work for themselves don’t always have to work by themselves.
Coworking Days is where people can go into a pop-up office and work alongside fellow small business owners for a day. They are proving to be such a hit that Jayne is increasing the number of venues.
The events are held throughout the North East from Alnmouth to Middlesbrough and many locations in between including Newcastle, North Shields, Durham, Consett, Washington and now Newton Aycliffe. Over 200 business owners are regular co-workers and Colleagues on Tap will shortly celebrate its 150th event.
“Many people who work from home do so to enjoy the benefits of low overheads and the flexibility of being their own boss, but it can also be quite isolating,” said Jayne, who has run a coaching and consultancy business from home for over ten years.
“The beauty of Colleagues on Tap is that we’re not a traditional networking group. People who work for themselves are often short of time because they’re so busy running their businesses, so Coworking Days provide the opportunity to connect with other people, and pick up tips and business opportunities, while they work.
“We help people who work for themselves to recognise that they’re doing a great job, and that they don’t need to always work by themselves.”
Kathryn Clarke, of Spennymoor, who runs an Image Consultancy, is delighted to host Coworking Days in Newton Aycliffe at the Evans Business Incubation Centre.
She said: “When I previously worked in an office environment I liked the colleagues and the social side of it, and that’s something I’ve missed since I started working for myself. With Coworking Days you get all of that – the support of colleagues and the chat – but you don’t get wrapped up in any office politics. It also gives me the chance to really focus on the business away from clients and the home.”
Coworking Days at Evans Business Incubation Centre are held once a month, and cost £20 including lunch, with discounts also available. Anyone interested in attending a Coworking Day can find out more and book a desk at www.colleaguesontap.com