Hatch Hubs — more than co-working
Case study
Image credit: Hatch Hubs
Facework is a social enterprise that equips people to face the changing world of work.
It does this through skills training and by developing affordable workspaces where communities can learn, share and work together. Passionate about supporting young people, Facework currently works in the UK and is piloting its Facework Chapter model in both India and Ukraine.
Facework runs 2 community co-working spaces in South London (Peckham and New Cross) called Hatch Hubs (HH).
These spaces are for local people, and the team aims to offer the most flexible, affordable and supportive workspaces in South London, especially for those who are struggling to get employment or grow their businesses. The hubs are also a space for regular locally-run community events.
“It’s crucial we ‘sweat our assets’…
…and as well as providing hot-desking to over 260 local members (which they book and pay for seamlessly using the HH App), we can flip our space for evening and weekend socials, community and training events. We aim to have a balanced 3-legged income stool: workspace membership, space-hire fees, and consultancy”
— Stephen Carrick-Davies, CEO of The Facework Group CIC
Keeping costs low is a challenge for any social enterprise, so a robust, agile business model is crucial.
As a Community Interest Company (rather than a charity), Facework can’t access charity relief on local rates, which now account for over £1,000 a month on the two hubs.
However, Facework has shown that there are smart ways to manage overheads. When it takes over a space, it negotiates a management fee with the building owners (e.g. with rent being paid on a percentage of profit over a set income target). This is a win/win and helps Facework to manage risk.
Facework has also developed partnerships with the Local Authority and Housing Associations who gift membership to local tenants in need of employment support.
Next steps:
Facework has recently worked with a 19 year-old to create Youth employment: An Agenda for Change which sets new ways - including Community Workspaces - to better support young people as they transition from education to employment.
The group is also working on plans to help Ukraine refugees into employment through its spaces, and identifying other underused vacant assets for to share and replicate the Hatch Hubs model, to serve more local communities across London.
"We are passionate about what happens when we develop these community social learning spaces.
Members say that coming to a ‘hub’ like this helps them connect and feel less isolated. Good work is social and our model of ‘peer-career’ is especially important to young people. Making community hubs work financially is a challenge, but the social capital created by bringing people together is priceless. Local and national governments need to recognise the role of spaces like these in keeping high streets alive and communities more resilient."
— Stephen Carrick-Davies, CEO of The Facework Group CIC
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