At Creative Works, our members are more than just professionals; they are also change-makers and community builders. This week, we feature Danielle Mensah, Supporter Experience Manager at SolarAid, who illustrates how the right workspace encourages both professional growth and positive impact.
From Remote to Rooted
SolarAid is a medium-sized charity with a hybrid model (some staff are based in London, while others work remotely across the UK and beyond). She has been with SolarAid for seven years. Shortly after the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, Danielle moved into Creative Works, seeking an alternative to working from home.
Danielle recalls, “I didn’t enjoy working from home, especially in a house share. Working in bedrooms or shared living spaces wasn’t ideal. Moving into Creative Works gave me the structure I needed.”
Coming in each day ensures Danielle has the required resources, equipment, and atmosphere to work effectively: “Even now that I live alone, I prefer being here. It puts me in the right headspace, and I have access to everything I need.”
More Than Four Walls
What stands out most for Danielle is the sense of connection: “It’s not just the facilities—though those are great—it’s also the people. You chat in the kitchen, you bump into people from different industries, and suddenly you’re learning how to explain your work in just 30 seconds. That’s incredibly useful when you’re fundraising.”
One moment especially memorable to Danielle was when fellow member and photographer Alastair Fyfe offered to take photos of the SolarAid team. “It was such a memorable experience. We wouldn’t normally think to capture those moments, but it gave us something special to remember and strengthened our team bond.”
And the impact extends further. One particular lunchtime talk hosted by SolarAid led to a fellow coworking member making a donation through their organisation: “That kind of response shows the lasting impact these community events can have.”
A Space to Belong
For Danielle, Creative Works has a “chilled” atmosphere and vibe, and she loves that neo-soul tunes or other relaxing music are often playing in the background. The mix of social impact organisations and creative businesses also makes it feel inspiring: “There’s definitely a feeling that you can collaborate or find new freelance suppliers here. You know there’s a community of people with different skills all around you.”
She is also a fan of Creative Works’ events, including Pilates, sound healing, and other community activities that make the working week more varied. And of course, there’s the small joy of Bread Day on Thursdays in the kitchen: “…a nice chance to step away from the screen and catch up with people casually.”
Rooted in Walthamstow
When it comes to local favourites, Danielle points without hesitation to Hermanos, the Colombian café downstairs.
“There’s a running joke about it. We love it and use it a lot, even for casual external meetings. One of our team members has up to four a day! So yes, Hermanos for sure,” laughs Danielle.
Why Creative Works?
Asked to sum up Creative Works in one word, Danielle chose: “Cool.”
Asked what she would say if someone were thinking about joining, Danielle stated, “You get more than just a desk space. There’s a real sense of community, access to perks and discounts with local businesses, and small things that make a big difference—like not always having to think about breakfast, for example. It’s simply a great place to work.”
We are proud to have Danielle and the SolarAid team as part of our Creative Works family. Danielle and SolarAid remind us that a shared sense of community can be both engaging and purposeful.
*Our featured image shows Danielle and several team members from SolarAid, at Creative Works
