In an era of flexible work, how can we make the most of our collaborative environments?

Zihan Wang from the University of Sussex offers advice to professionals looking to maximize their time in shared spaces.

Collaboration spaces have become a standard part of the workplace. A convenient alternative to working from home or the employer’s office, they have become a popular choice for millions of freelancers around the world, entrepreneurs and remote workers.

In the UK, there are more than 4,000 co-operatives places to choose from. Prices vary, depending on location and facilities, but at the cost of a dedicated desk about £200 a monthit’s worth knowing how to make the most of what these spaces have to offer.

So how do you choose the right place to work for you? And how do you get the most benefit? Here are four practical tips to consider:

Find your needs

Not all collaboration spaces serve the same purpose. Some people want a quiet desk outside the home, while others want a social space where they can meet people, exchange ideas and build connections.

Being clear about what you want, whether it’s productivity, networking opportunities or skills development, is the first step.

Small, independent spaces tend to put a lot of emphasis on community building, with managers organizing regular events such as “lunch and learn” sessions or workshops. These places can create many opportunities for socializing and learning.

On the contrary, it is bigger business style places can offer more polished facilities and business services, but with fewer opportunities for enhanced interaction. Choosing the right workspace means considering the type of space and how you plan to use it.

Try it

Workshops are often advertised as open and inclusive. But the research I worked on with my colleagues shows that experiences may vary depending on factors such as age, gender or occupational background.

Some places are likely to feel more welcoming than others, especially where equality, diversity and inclusion are an intentional part of their design and ethos.

Many areas are now also set up with specific groups in mind. For example, others help business womenwhile others offer tailored support neurodivergent workers.

Before committing, it’s worth visiting the place, going to an event, or trying out for a short period of time (a few days or a week) to see if it feels like a good fit.

It’s more than a desk

It’s easy to manage workspaces just like a workspace. But research it suggests its great importance in communication, community and the daily interactions that make it possible.

Casual conversations in the kitchen or spontaneous exchanges over lunch can help build communication skills, expand professional networks, and spark new interactions. Evidence suggests that these benefits tend to be particularly strong for those new to the city, early in their careers, or self-employed. They may have strong local networks or fewer daily opportunities for office-based interaction, making them more likely to seek social interaction between co-working spaces.

If you just show up, put on your headphones while you work and leave, you may be missing out on some of the main benefits of co-working – the opportunity to connect with others and be part of a community. Making the most of these spaces often means being willing to take that first step, engage with others and slowly find your circle.

Take advantage

If your job involves specialized equipment, digital technology or ongoing skills development, you may need more than just wifi and coffee in your workplace.

Many now offer access to special software as well state-of-the-art equipment such as 3D printers or virtual reality devices, they can be expensive or difficult to access on your own.

Others go further and organize workshops and training sessions, or even events that showcase the latest developments in a particular field. These resources can be especially valuable independent workers including the self-employed and the self-employed, who may not have access to formal on-the-job training through an employer.

Using them can help you build effective, up-to-date and digital skills, especially as new technologies and AI advance revise the desired skills in many industries. So don’t ignore the offer, whether it’s a workshop, a new tool, or a piece of equipment. Taking advantage of these opportunities can help you stay flexible, keep learning and be better prepared for what’s next.

Overall, co-working spaces can provide valuable opportunities to learn new skills, build networks and adapt to changing ways of working. But these benefits do not happen and are not the same for everyone.

Getting the most out of coworking often depends on how you use the space and whether it suits your needs. Best of all, coworking isn’t just about renting a desk, it’s about finding a place where you can connect, learn and grow.

Zihan Wang

Zihan Wang is a researcher in Geography and Innovation at University of Sussex. His research examines skills as a core regional capacity for innovation, productivity, labor market dynamics, and structural change. Using large-scale quantitative data including online job postings, LinkedIn data, and questionnaires, he investigates how skills are developed, used, and transformed across environments. Focusing on the field of manufacturing and creative industries, it aims to cover theoretical analysis and policy development, especially in informing the policy of area-based skills and industrial strategies.

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