Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Freelance Friday Anyone?

A few years back I helped to set up the Bowes and Bounds website. Now I'd like to nick one of their ideas.

The website has been used as a channel to set up an event that seems to have become a staple in the local calendar. Freelance Fridays are aimed at people who freelance, work from home or are involved with a local small business.

The event listing says:

Use this group to tell others about your work, share ideas, swap contacts, or just get out of the house and speak to other people.

A year or so back, Matt Gamble set up a local business network via HoL, which seemed to work well for the quite small group it attracted.

Just this week I was referring a bit of business to a Ladderite I met through that group. I've got some commercial photography work through it and apparently others from the group have also got some good slugs of work.

In spite of this and despite the efforts of Matt and Geoff to keep the group going it didn't ever quite take off. I'm wondering if the format was wrong.

The Freelance Friday concept is much simpler. It's just an informal networking opportunity (I think). Bowes Park is further than I want to go for a drop-in, but I'm attracted to the concept. It's both social and commercial.

Is anyone else interested? I'm not going to volunteer to organise it, but all it would take (I think) is a posting on HoL every now and again and some initial chats with a cafe owner.

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Permalink Reply by Lizzie Broomfield on January 21, 2015 at 12:26

Hi all

Is this still running at all? I was trying to get together an informal group and would love to join up perhaps. I'm in Wood Green Thinking about trying to open a small and low key coworking space for those that are interested this year, but in the meantime would love to have an informal cafe meetup.

Let me know...am on twitter as @lizziebroom

Lizzie

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 22, 2015 at 10:47

HI Lizzie,

Please do let me know how you get on. I'm desperate to get out of my home office for at least one day a week and work someone else.

All the best,

Matt

gardens@mortongamble.com

0791 907 8735

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Permalink Reply by SarahC on January 22, 2015 at 11:08

I came along to the meeting last year as was interested in the odd informal cafe lunch etc, though it seemed to be turning into something more formal then disappeared completely. I'm sure there are other people out there who'd be interested in cafe meetups.

Isn't the thing that's opening in Turnpike Lane some kind of work hub?

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on January 22, 2015 at 11:28

I went to almost all the meetings. It was really sad to arrive and find only one or two others had bothered. The was enough enthusiasm at the outset but, as with all these things, life gets in the way and people have better things to do. By the time it became just Karen (who was trying to run it) and me enjoying a drink in the evening, her life had got busy enough that she didn't need the extra hassle trying to drum up non-existant enthusiasm.

There is a lovely group called the Last Friday Club, but it's in Newington Green.

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Permalink Reply by Abi on January 22, 2015 at 15:50

Certainly wouldn't have been lack of enthusiasm on my part but by its very nature, f'lancing is a bit unpredictable and by the time the meet-ups rolled around, I was working in an office again. I'm working from home again now though, and would definitely appreciate company and a regular meeting point. Something quite informal would suit me (as long as it involved coffee).

Please keep HoL updated if you do start another?

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Permalink Reply by Lizzie Broomfield on January 22, 2015 at 15:56

Yes I agree - this is the difficulty of being freelance - you have to drop everything sometimes when the job comes up. Makes regular commitments very hard.

I'll post on here when further plans are made - am talking to a few different people at the mo about things so maybe a pattern/meeting place will emerge from that! Please do send me suggestions for venues and times that are generally convenient if anyone has preferences.

Lizzie

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Permalink Reply by Lizzie Broomfield on January 22, 2015 at 15:40

Hi Sarah, Matt and Jenny

Thanks for coming back and it's good to hear that other people would be interested in getting together to reignite the group.

Not sure what the best way of doing this is - perhaps I could set up a group on here? There is a group on Bowes & Bounds as well and a few people from there have said they're interested too. Otherwise maybe email me lizzie@lizzie-b.co.uk? I would be happy to try and coordinate things although I understand that this might not be the easiest task!

I won't tread on Ingo's toes and he can definitely fill in more about it but I understand that the venture his charity is setting up is an incubator space, which means support for new businesses, people coming out of treatment, as well as coworking. I am personally looking for something a bit more low-key as my business is already up and running, which is why I am thinking of setting something up locally. We shall see!

Lizzie

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Permalink Reply by Lizzie Broomfield on January 27, 2015 at 16:33

Hello all

Right there has been some interest locally and I'm pleased to say that we're trying to get a small group together in the afternoon on Friday 6th February.

Here are the details on meetup (location still TBC as we'll see where people are coming from and where is easiest). http://www.meetup.com/Haringey-Freelancers-group/events/220115413/

Even if you can't make this date please do consider joining the meetup group as if it goes well I'll add more dates to that and it'll let you know automatically.

Hope to meet some of you on Friday 6th!

Lizzie