Spotlight: An Interview with Carys, Framework Bristol
InterviewsQ. Hello, can you give us a little introduction to who you are and what you do at Framework?
Hiya! I am Carys, the Host here at Framework. As a workspace catered towards business startups, we try to create opportunities for our members to connect, collaborate and socialise. My job includes everything from welcoming new members to the space to building management. It’s a fun and versatile role, and I love building relationships with the members and visitors we see every day.
Q. What energises you outside of work?
I’m the lead singer of a seven-piece soul band with a horn section, bass, piano, guitar and drums. It’s a powerful amount of sound we generate, so it’s fun to lead them and stand at the front! Pre COVID 2020 we were going to be gigging in Geneva, Bilbao and Malaga but alas we have to settle for Zoom rehearsals, and pre-recorded gigs!
Q. For anyone who hasn’t heard of Framework, can you provide an overview of the space?
Framework is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building in the centre of Bristol on King Street. Our memberships are either Dedicated, Shared or Virtual with members having access to a coworking lounge, dedicated desks and team pods on the floors above. As well as desk space, Framework also has two event spaces which host some of Bristol’s fantastic tech orientated workshops, talks and groups as well as book clubs, creative evenings and members social events. We have always wanted Framework to be a collaborative and nurturing space where members feel energised by others around them.
Q. What is your favourite thing about Framework?
There’s too much to choose from! Apart from the plants and the pure beauty of the building, my favourite thing is the community. I love getting everyone involved in the social side of the space and inviting members to get to know each other beyond work. Run club, meditation, yoga and more allow members to integrate into the community we have here and take a well-earned break from their desks.
Q. What makes Framework unique?
Three things! The building, the variety of spaces we have available and our attention to keeping a good work/life balance.
Framework is a building with character and stands proud on one of the most social streets in Bristol. Every floor has aspects of the original cork factory including large barn-style doors which open out onto King Street, super high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light.
The variety of workspaces we can offer at Framework mean that whatever your day looks like, we have a spot to suit you. We have places for you to focus, kick back, have a quiet chat, a formal meeting, host a workshop to have a private call. Not everyone can work in the same space each day (myself included!), so it’s been important for us to keep options flexible.
Wellness has been high on our list of priorities since we opened Framework. Whether it be a run after work or a fresh juice in the morning, we love a chat and are continually looking for new initiatives to help our members maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Q. Has Coherent helped you in any unexpected ways?
There are lots of tools in Coherent to help me out in my day-to-day, but something that has been particularly useful is the community page. This allows our members to see a library of other businesses in the building, what people do, and it opens up opportunities for collaboration!
Q. What do find most useful about Coherent?
As a Host, Coherent makes my workday so much more streamlined. Setting up new tariffs, amending invoices, inputting enquiry leads. All things that are made seamless by using Coherent. But more than for the running of the space, Coherent is a really good tool for members too. They can access all their invoices, upgrade or downgrade their memberships so they can have total control and flexibility over their membership and tariff options.
Q. How have you found reopening after lockdown?
Reopening after lockdown, it’s been clear now more than ever the importance of separating work from your home life. Since reopening, we have had a lot of new starters who have been doing research during lockdown into coworking in Bristol, and it’s been so lovely to see new faces. We have worked hard to create a safe environment for anyone ready to come back to work and understand that some are more anxious than others at this time so are ready to listen. It’s a strange time for all of us, but it’s been amazing to come in every day to see another familiar face returning.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most in the future for Framework?
I’m looking forward to when we can begin to get events back at Framework. We became a hub for tech and digital creative events in the city, and it will be amazing to get these up and running again when the time is right.
Q. What’s the best advice you have received? Who was it from?
‘Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, your right’ – Mum (originally Henry Ford)
My Mum is full of sayings and is always right! I find as I’m getting older, the internal voice in my head is becoming the voice of my Mum. She didn’t start her undergrad till I was in Junior School (I’m the youngest) and then she went on to do her masters and after pushed herself to do a Doctorate! She’s a constant inspiration and motivation in my life (and my head!)
To find out more about Framework Bristol, head to their website here. Be sure to follow them on Instagram to be kept up to date with everything that is going on.
If you would like to keep up to date with Carys’ band? Be sure to follow them and show them some love here.
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