Laptop Friday co-working event to combat isolation is a big hit

Laptop Friday has arrived in Gloucester and it is the opportunity for people who find it isolating working at home alone, to come together and work alongside others. The initiative started in 2010 and was launched by Belinda Wilson and Jonathan Pollinger and it has been brought to the city by a business man based in Gloucester
-Credit: (Image: Joist MD Martin Thorne)


Laptop Friday has arrived in Gloucester and it is the opportunity for people who find it isolating working at home alone, to come together and work alongside others. The initiative started in 2010 and was launched by Belinda Wilson and Jonathan Pollinger and it has been brought to the city by a business man based in Gloucester.

The event has already been a hit among local business leaders and employees and runs each Friday between 12.30pm and 2.30pm. It may have something to do with working in the pub, or simply having the opportunity to meet new people and work in good company.

Visitors recently at the Laptop Friday event included representatives from business coaching, IT support, social media marketing, business insurance, financial advisors, designers, and folks working for the DWP. The Laptop Friday meet up is free, Wi-Fi and power is provided, the only expense will be the cost of beverages and snacks from the venue.

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Software expert and MD of Joist Martin is pleased to have brought Laptop Friday to Gloucester. He said: "During the pandemic, I was working for an agency and as with many others, was required to work from home. The work week was spent in a small home office, and the only interaction with others during the work week was via email and video calls.

"I found this time very isolating, and lonely, and my mental health suffered because of it. As we exited the pandemic, I decided to start my own software business, called Joist, which is now in its third year and is thriving.

"From the outset, I've tried to support the local community, small businesses and freelancers and charities, and wanted to create a great working environment for myself and future employees. As part of that mission, I wanted to support more local businesses, and spotting that this loneliness and isolation is a common occurrence within the freelance and small business areas, so I set to creating an environment to help these people thrive.

"I was aware of Laptop Friday events that take place in other regions, and spoke with Jonathan and the team about bringing Laptop Friday to Gloucester, my home town. I was delighted that Jonathan and the team were happy for me to organise Laptop Friday: Gloucester, located at Gloucester Brewery's Warehouse Four, in Gloucester Docks."

For more details about Laptop Friday, please visit here.