In a world where many of us are working from kitchen tables and sofas, the quiet hum of human connection has become something of a luxury.
Inside Sneinton Market’s MinorOak Coworking you can still find the soft clatter of keyboards, the hiss of the coffee machine, and the low murmur of conversation between people that all share one thing in common. Connection.
Corrina Rothwell, a self-employed artist, has been using the space for two years and says: “It literally keeps people sane a lot of the time. It’s so easy to get distracted at home with the washing up or the fridge calling your name.
“Here, you can just work, but more than that you get that little bit of community. Chatting when you’re making a coffee and saying hello to familiar faces makes such a difference.”
Research by Bupa found that almost 40 per cent of 16-24-year-olds feel lonely or socially isolated because of the nature of their work.
The research also revealed that 45 per cent of self-employed workers want more social bonding in their jobs.
As of late 2024, the UK and Ireland had 3,326 coworking spaces according to the CoworkingCafe UK & Ireland Report.
Since opening its doors in 2017, MinorOak has become something of a creative anchor in Sneinton Market’s ever-evolving ecosystem of studios and independent businesses.
The space, founded and run by architect Deidre Miller, is designed to be flexible and welcoming. People can drop in for as little as £2.50 an hour – coffee, fruit, biscuits, and monitors included – or grab a full day pass for £18.
For freelancers and remote workers used to the isolation of home offices, it is an affordable antidote to loneliness.
Deidre explains: “There are people who’ve been here for years and have their own desks, and then there are others who just pop in for the day. Sometimes it’s people passing through, or meeting colleagues halfway. There’s always a steady flow of new and old faces.”
That balance between regulars and newcomers is part of what makes the place tick. Walk through the door on any weekday and you will find graphic designers, social entrepreneurs, writers, small business owners and digital nomads quietly sharing a space.
“Working from home, you miss that casual everyday support. Here, you get that back.”
Cameron Nurse, MinorOak Member
Cameron Nurse, a self-employed web developer, found the space to be a crucial point of contact after graduating from the University of Nottingham. Whilst most of his friends moved back home, he stayed to set up his own business at the cost of having no social circle.
He says: “During university, you’d have people around to bounce ideas off, to have a moan with, to celebrate the little things.
“Working from home, you miss that casual everyday support. Here, you get that back – and they even have pub nights and socials, so it’s become a proper little community.”
“It’s not just about getting work done. It’s about being around others”
Deidre Miller, Minoroak Founder
There is no formal networking, but friendships form naturally.
Catherine Heptinstall, JYSK employee, found MinorOak to be a much needed office alternative when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Her department decided to continue being fully remote when restrictions were lifted, so a coworking environment became handy.
Since the pandemic, the demand for spaces like this has grown. As hybrid and remote working became the norm, the mental health costs of isolation became impossible to ignore.
According to mental health charity Mind, prolonged loneliness can increase the risk of depression and anxiety – yet for many, returning to traditional office environments is not an option.
Deidre sees the effects every day: “You can tell people feel better being here. It’s not just about getting work done. It’s about being around others and you can see people visibly brighten up after a morning here.”
That local engagement is part of what makes MinorOak feel more like a social fabric than a simple office rental. In a time when freelance life can feel precarious, that matters.
“It’s wholesome stuff,” Catherine laughs. “You come in, you work, you chat, you have a biscuit, and then you go grab lunch from a local business. Everyone benefits.”
Perhaps that is the quiet magic of coworking spaces: the small rituals of shared space.
MinorOak is not just somewhere to plug in a laptop. It is a reminder that work, at its best, is something we do together.
