Life at Coin Street: Melody and Helena’s reflections

My name is Melody and I am the Marketing Coordinator at Coin Street. I support our various commercial and community activities by producing website, social media, and print content for Coin Street, Gabriel’s Wharf, and Oxo Tower Wharf.?

I’m Helena and I am Coin Street’s Communications Coordinator. I am responsible for our internal communications, promoting our community and family support offerings, and sharing news about our colleagues and organisation.?

Together, we took some time to reflect on some of our favourite things about working at Coin Street. Read on to find out what they are!?

First, a little background about Coin Street...?

Coin Street is a social enterprise working in Waterloo, London. From a derelict site in 1984, we have created a vibrant, diverse and welcoming place for people to live, work and play, powered by social enterprise.??

Read more about what it means to be a social enterprise in our article here.?

Our mission is to create and support a resilient, adaptable neighbourhood of people and places, where everyone's diverse needs are met.?

This mission is supported by our incredible teams across our Day Nursery, Family and Children's Centre, Community Programmes, Housing, Property & Facilities Management, our Commercial team, including Conference facilities and our support teams in Marketing & Communications, Finance, ICT, and People & Team Building.?

Working at Coin Street is unique, and each of our teams make it a special place to work in different ways. Read on to find out more about our favourite things about working at Coin Street.?

Four things that make working here special:?

#1 - Our history?

In the early 1980s, the South Bank was bleak and unloved, with few shops and restaurants, a dying residential community and a weak local economy. That all changed thanks to an extraordinary campaign by local residents and supporters, which led to Coin Street’s purchase and redevelopment of a 13-acre site.??

Now, our site is at the heart of a thriving neighbourhood with co-operative homes, parks and gardens, shops and design studios, galleries, restaurants, a family and children’s centre, sports pitches, and a range of community programmes and activities.?

Working in an organisation with such a rich, passionate history is inspiring. It reminds us of the power of community and the reason the work we all do matters so much. The community that Coin Street created is here in our homes, sessions, galleries, shops and studios; it reminds us daily of our organisation’s purpose: creating an inspirational neighbourhood, powered by social enterprise.?

?#2 - Our creativity?

Oxo Tower Wharf and Gabriel’s Wharf, owned by Coin Street, are home to an award-winning, landmark design destination and riverside shopping and dining.?

Oxo Tower Wharf is home to some of the UK’s most innovative and internationally renowned contemporary designers, restaurants, cafes, bars, and exhibition venues, gallery@oxo and Bargehouse.??

Gabriel’s Wharf offers design-led boutique shopping, from bespoke jewellery and vintage fashion to affordable artwork, as well as a wide range of cuisines including delicious gourmet pizza, colourful Caribbean lunches, succulent fried chicken and mouth-watering Mexican street food.?

I (Melody) thoroughly enjoy working for such a diverse organisation that puts creativity at the heart of what we do. From cafes and restaurants to art galleries and independent retailers, the opportunities to create meaningful content championing independent shopping, dining, and art are endless!?

#3 - Health and wellbeing?

Coin Street is committed to creating an environment of psychological safety in our workplace. We have frequent opportunities to give feedback on our company culture, and our experiences working at Coin Street.??

I (Helena) am part of the Wellbeing Team. We are a newly created team so there is lots ahead, but we are united in the belief that vulnerability is a strength and wellbeing should be a priority that underlies everything we do. We aim to encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work, exploring a wide range of topics openly together through our 'Lunch and Learn' sessions and monthly wellbeing communications. Past topics have included neurodiversity, menopause and supporting loved ones through cancer.??

One of our benefits is access to Plumm, our online mental wellbeing service provider, which has free chat and video therapy, meditations, webinars and courses. We also have meditations on demand through the Headspace app and free gym membership at Colombo gym! Both services have been hugely beneficial to me, supporting my mental health, and helping me grow both personally and professionally.?

#4 - Diversity, equity and inclusion commitment??

Led by our Black Lives Matter, Race and Equality Steering Committee, we explore issues around race, culture and identity regularly. We do this in several different ways including Tea Break conversations where we discuss topics such as language, microaggressions and code-switching in a safe, non-judgemental space. The committee have also recently launched a diversity and inclusion book trolley where we can access a wide range of books to learn more individually.

The commitment to learning, at all levels of the organisation creates a safe space for ongoing improvement which is really encouraging to experience.??

To find out more about Coin Street, visit our website: https://coinstreet.org/?