Impact Brixton is a community-led, conscience-driven organisation providing co-working space and business support to Lambeth’s entrepreneurs. We are committed to achieving social impact through mentorship, training and the provision of affordable ‘ways in’ for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. We are the only Black-Owned co-working space in England. Here’s how we got here.
Impact Brixton was formed when co-founders Gerald and Jenine hatched a plan to save its predecessor, Impact Hub, from closure, as its international operator decided to withdraw from the area. Having been there for five years, the organisation was already more than just another co-working space. It was a close community of local freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses who stood to lose not just their desks, but the infrastructure that was helping them to collaborate successfully and enhancing their and wellbeing at work. It had survived being relocated three times, and felt like an important part of Brixton’s business landscape.
It was members of the local community who ultimately took action to ensure that a valued resource did not disappear, but was instead re-imagined to have even greater impact. The rebranded Impact Brixton now supports over 250 members including some who’ve been part of the community since 2014, and others who’ve joined us in the last 18 months. We are reaching a better cross section of the local community, for example through our Impact Xchange programme, which provides membership in return for time, not money, where over 80% of our current Exchange members are from BAME backgrounds.
In January this year, Impact Brixton moved to a new, 6000 sq ft space overlooking Electric Avenue and Brixton’s iconic Market Row. We have used the coronavirus lockdown as an opportunity to carry out improvement works. Everything we do, from providing a high quality, comfortable working environment to the development of our forthcoming education programme, Impact Brixton University, is driven by the goal of extending our reach and maximising opportunities to support Lambeth’s entrepreneurs in achieving their full potential. If you are one of them, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
