Calling all remote workers and business owners – take a look at this growing co-working community in Northamptonshire
This growing co-working community is designed for remote workers, freelancers and business owners who want to work alongside others without the formality of traditional office spaces.
Desk Mates Club is the brainchild of Heather Wiseman and it has quickly flourished into a thriving weekly community, bringing people together to work and connect in Northamptonshire venues.
It is built around the simple idea of helping people “work solo, never alone”, by creating spaces where they feel welcome, familiar faces build over time, and real connections happen naturally alongside the working day.
With an increase in remote working as a result of the pandemic, Heather acted on the appetite for this community-led approach to work. Not only does it support productivity and wellbeing, but Heather is pleased to bring regular footfall to local venues.
This venture began in August 2025, when Heather coincidentally met a few individuals in similar working situations to her – and they all shared the view that it was a struggle to find somewhere to work with others outside their homes.
“This is also a mental health initiative,” Heather told the Chronicle & Echo. “I’ve been working from home for around six years on my own. I want to encourage people to get out of the house to meet like-minded others.
“There’s no specific sector you have to work in to come along, it’s all about supporting each other that day and creating a beautifully organic network.”
Desk Mates Club attendees meet at No. 68 Coffee House on Bedford Road from around 9am on Wednesday mornings, and they get a discount at the venue.
“People stay for a coffee or stay all day,” said Heather. “I’ve tried and tested a lot of cafes around the town, and No. 68 has free parking, good coffees and pastries, wifi, natural light, a variety of seating options and plug sockets.
“People enjoy connection more than anything, and it gives them a reason to leave the house. There’s a good group of us who go most weeks and it feels like you’re back in an office.”
Heather took the step to launch a second location at Hampton by Hilton in Corby, where attendees also receive a discount, and this is being run by a Desk Mates Club ambassador. The concept is exactly the same, just in a different part of the county.
Talking about her proudest achievement since launching Desk Mates Club, Heather said: “Attracting the most incredible network of really like-minded people. There’s around 10-to-12 of us who meet regularly, get on and support each other – it’s organically beautiful.”
Heather would love to launch more Desk Mates Club locations in and around Northampton, as well as speaking to HR companies about encouraging employees who work from home to make the most of this initiative.