This week’s disruption across Transport for London (TfL) was more than a minor inconvenience; it was a stark reminder of how unpredictable city life can be. Strikes, cancelled trains, and overcrowded buses turned routine journeys into stressful, draining ordeals. Hours were lost, meetings delayed, and tempers tested. Yet while much of the capital struggled to get to work, those who had a reliable workspace nearby experienced a very different story.
At Creative Works, local members discovered the value of flexibility and community. With a workspace just minutes from home, they avoided the stress of the strikes, maintained productivity, and carried on with their day calmly and efficiently. The contrast was clear: when the city falters, a supportive, local coworking environment ensures work can continue uninterrupted.
Productivity Without the Commute
Reducing the daily commute is beneficial for productivity and wellbeing. Research shows that UK employees with commutes of less than 30 minutes gain the equivalent of seven extra productive days each year compared with those travelling an hour or more. Longer commutes are consistently linked with higher stress and anxiety, reduced mental health, and poorer sleep, with many commuters sleeping less than the recommended seven hours a night. They also leave less time for exercise, rest, and family life.
By working closer to home, professionals can reclaim time otherwise lost to delays and cancellations, and arrive at their desks calmer, more focused, and ready to work. Along with travel cost savings, local flexible spaces are not just convenient—they also boost productivity and wellbeing. When trains are cancelled and buses are delayed, access to local and flexible work arrangements ensures the day continues with far less interruption.
Flexibility That Supports Work and Life
When strikes, cancellations, or delays disrupt transport networks, flexibility is essential. Organisations with hybrid or remote working arrangements are better placed to handle the knock-on effects of industrial action. A UK study by GoTo highlighted that remote work is now a business imperative, particularly given the frequency of rail strikes and other disruptions. Perhaps reassuringly for employers, research from the CIPD shows that hybrid working has increased efficiency and productivity in UK organisations by almost 40%.
For Creative Works members, having a nearby workspace with access to meeting rooms, a kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet areas for focused work, and communal spaces for connection proved invaluable this week. Flexible desk passes ensured their working day remained uninterrupted, even when the public transport system faltered. During the strike, some members dropped in for a single day to avoid chaos, while others relied on regular membership for consistency. With Creative Works’ flexible approach, what happens outside does not necessarily disrupt what happens inside.
Community and Stability in Uncertain Times
Resilient, people-first communities provide employees with a sense of security and belonging, which is crucial during turbulent periods. A supportive community at work not only enhances morale but also enables individuals to adapt more effectively to any challenge. Communal coping strategies—where individuals share emotional support and resources—have been shown to reduce stress and improve wellbeing during times of uncertainty, whether caused by economic downturns, strikes, or extreme weather. Studies show that communal coping buffers the negative effects of instability, alleviates psychological strain, and strengthens resilience in the face of recurring disruptions.
Coworking spaces designed around flexibility and community help professionals stick to their routines and avoid unnecessary stress, even when external circumstances are unpredictable.
Don’t just take our word for it, as one of our members stated this week: “…just knowing Creative Works was minutes from home let me start my day calm and focused, while my housemates struggled with stressful journeys across the city.”
At Creative Works, we are proud to offer a consistently supportive environment where members can focus, connect, and thrive, no matter what’s thrown their way.
