When we think about coworking spaces, we typically think about a shared office space with hotdesking facilities, a place where people from different professions and organisations come together with a common purpose, namely, to work and connect.
The reasons for using a coworking space differ from individual to individual. Perhaps their home location is not suited to homeworking. Maybe they are tired of working on their own and are craving some company. Or perhaps they are just after some just peace and quiet away from the distractions of home.
But it can also be a door to a unique type of community. A place where you can build relationships, help each other out professionally, collaborate, give and receive support, perhaps even make friends and socialise.
Designed with military spouses in mind
Military Coworking Hubs are designed wholeheartedly with military spouses and partners in mind. Because this is a unique community of individuals with very different needs:
They are often based on military bases in very remote areas, particularly true of RAF and Navy spouses.
Their partners are regularly away on long-term deployments or training missions leaving them to keep home fires burning.
Their lifestyle must revolve around that of the serving partner – the military must always come first, because the defence of our great nation is of paramount importance and a top priority for all of us.
With regular postings, sometimes as often as every two years, they find themselves again and again in unfamiliar locations and starting from scratch as they explore new environments at pace.
As accompanied spouses, they are forced to leave their families and friends behind, relinquishing their familiar support networks and finding themselves repeatedly having to rebuild vital support networks.
Many are forced to give up their jobs and careers as they follow their partners from post to post.
Some choose to opt for alternative careers that work well alongside military life but are not necessarily their first choice, simply a compromise.
Some struggle to retain employment due to the transient nature of the military.
But it is loneliness and isolation that is the biggest disease within the military spouse community.
And for those military spouses who work remotely or run a business from home, this can be the biggest challenge of all.
If you’re employed, then there is of course, usually some level of virtual interaction via TEAMs, Zoom, or other teleconferencing system. But without physical touchpoints, this too can feel quite isolating and disconnected.
"Working from home can be quite isolating with limited human contact and primarily virtual interactions." Stephanie Barry, Clyde Hub Member
Online communities and social media groups can be a great way to connect with others, but sometimes it’s not enough.
"Nowadays, for so many people, community can only be found online on social media. But sometimes we need physical connection, a friendly word, a shoulder to lean on, even a simple hug. The coworking hub delivered on every level for me just when I needed it the most. I no longer feel lonely. I have a network. A place to go to where I can be with other like-minded people. People to talk to and laugh with, share problems and learn from." Katyia Johnson, Sandhurst Hub Member and former member of Bovington Hub
Many are sole traders too, so deprived of any human interaction with colleagues. Often, the only other contact with other human beings throughout the working day is with their clients, but this is no substitute for friends and family, and there is often a lack of understanding what it really means to live the military life.
The typical community touchpoints organised by the Welfare teams on base, such as coffee mornings, remain inaccessible to them, clashing with their working day and other professional commitments.
And if they have no children, there are even fewer touchpoints and opportunities for contact with the local military community.
"When you don’t have children, the number of places where you can network is limited. The hub is the only place where I can new meet people with whom I have things in common. For people in my situation, it’s a lifeline." Valentina Allen, Clyde Hub Member
Military coworking hubs are key to tackling loneliness and isolation – a doorway to a unique community, some great friendships, and a better and healthier work-life balance.
“When I first arrived at Clyde, I knew nobody. Joining the hub has allowed me to forge meaningful relationships with not one but three other military spouses, which has enriched my life beyond measure and helped me to feel much more integrated with the military community here.” Valentina Allen, Clyde Hub Member
“I predominantly work from home, which can be quite lonely and isolating especially after transitioning from a more physical work environment, teaching classes face-to-face and delivering personal training sessions, to a wholly virtual environment. I love being able to work alongside other people rather than working in isolation, which is why the idea of a coworking hub has such great appeal. It doesn’t have to be my colleagues, just like-minded people I can get along with.” Stacey Jones, Hereford Hub Member
“Through the hub I’ve been able to meet some lovely people and make some brilliant friendships, friendships that extend far beyond the walls of the hub and seamlessly spill over into my private social life, which has improved my quality of life on base immensely.” Stephanie Barry, Clyde Hub Member
In fact, according to our 2023 Evaluation Report that surveyed all our hub members, past and present, 73% stated that they had more opportunities to meet new people through the hubs, both socially and professionally and 60% had made more friendships through the hubs, which had positively impacted their social lives and improved their quality of life on base, as well as their mental health and wellbeing.
Military coworking hubs provide a whole level different level of support.
Coworking hubs can provide an important place of refuge, and a whole different level of support. Not just professional, but also emotional as well as practical.
“I don’t need formal support from the Welfare Unit, but equally, I am stuck here on my own for long periods of time, and sometimes it would be great to get some support - practical or emotional – and just have a coffee with someone who ‘gets it’. Even if there are any welfare support events or social opportunities available that you’d like to attend, they are mostly inaccessible to people like me who work during the day, so having another avenue to support is vital. That avenue is the coworking hub. It’s a great middle ground between formal support and having no support at all. Here I can meet like-minded people and find the informal support I need from people who understand the challenges I face, because they share my lived experience.” Stacey Jones, Hereford Hub Member
Military coworking hubs are also a gateway to a vibrant community and new opportunities.
“Working at Hereford Coworking Hub has been a game-changer for me. Not only has it provided a professional and energising space to focus and be productive, but it’s also given me access to a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Networking has never felt easier or more organic – I’ve met people from all different fields, which has opened unexpected opportunities for collaboration and growth.” Jo Loly, Hereford Hub Member
Final words
Military coworking hubs really do provide a supportive network for military spouses and partners. Many describe them a vital lifeline, and all agree that they are an essential component of military life.
Recruit for Spouses only recently issued an article which states that family concerns influence 65% of decisions to leave the service according to MoD data. And 57% of service personnel cite their partner’s career as a consideration factor in their decision to leave the military.
Supporting military spouses is therefore key to national security given its role in retention.
The Military coworking hubs are a key vehicle to providing the required level of support.
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