Virtual Co-Working: Focus and Support for Freelance Mums

Introduction

Freelance life can be both freeing and challenging. For mums in business, the juggle between family and work often leaves little room for focused time. That’s why Freelance Mum has launched virtual co-working — a simple, flexible way to find focus, support, and accountability, all from the comfort of your home.

From Netwalks to Laptops

This term, we’re trying something new at Freelance Mum: Virtual Co-Working. For the past 11 years, our community has been built on connection — quite literally from the “grass roots,” through our Netwalks. Meeting across hubs, connecting in nature, and building relationships outdoors has always been our foundation.

As our community has grown, so has our model. More digital offerings now complement our outdoor hubs, helping mums in business feel less lonely and more capable. Freelance Mum has always been about giving you the freedom to work your way — with a whole host of cheerleaders supporting you along the way.

So, when I heard about virtual co-working, I decided to give it a try for the autumn term. It sounded like a fun way to support mums beyond face-to-face meetups — while boosting productivity in the process. After all, fitting everything into an ever-shrinking day can be tough!

Ironically, it almost didn’t happen. I added it to the FM calendar, and at first, no one signed up. I wasn’t worried — not every idea takes off. But then, five minutes before the session, a member messaged me. I quickly shared a Zoom link, and five people joined.

Even better, the session was incredibly productive. There’s something special about creating a calm, shared environment where everyone is working alongside each other. At the end, we had ten extra minutes to share our progress — hearing what everyone had achieved was both motivating and inspiring.

For me personally, as both the founder of Freelance Mum and a freelance voiceover artist, it also added accountability. Setting aside time each week to blog, work, and share progress with others kept me on track. That gentle accountability really does get you every time.

There’s real beauty in the simplicity of virtual co-working: focused work, support, and accountability — all without leaving home.

Why Virtual Co-Working?

Freelance life can feel lonely. Add school runs, family commitments, and the unpredictability of everyday life, and staying on track is tough. Virtual co-working gives mums in business a dedicated space to carve out time, stay accountable, and achieve more — alongside others who truly “get it.”

How It Works

Our weekly virtual co-working sessions are simple, yet highly effective. Here’s what to expect:

• A warm welcome from the group
• A quick check-in on what you’re working on
• Focused, silent work time (cameras on or off — your choice)
• A group check-out to share progress and celebrate wins

In just one hour, you can make meaningful progress on tasks that often slip down your list — with the bonus of accountability and encouragement from the Freelance Mum community.

What Our Members Say

Nothing illustrates the impact better than hearing from the mums themselves:

“A fantastic and accountable way to start Monday morning. It stopped me faffing and getting distracted by household tasks, so I could focus and complete an email template, create a new Google Form, and give feedback to a client — all in one hour! Great to have a mini group chat at the end too.”
— Karen Norman, Sensible Marketing

“Loved my power hour to stay focused and accountable this morning — managed to complete a task I’d lost momentum on, grab a coffee, book Osteo, and have a lovely bunch of ladies to work silently alongside.”
— Sarah Movassaghi, Breathwork Coach

“Thanks so much for this morning, helped keep me on track. Great for accountability and focus. Much more helpful than just ‘catching up online’ — a really focused session.”
— Claire Callaghan, Physiotherapist

Why It Matters for Mums in Business

The Freelance Mum Impact Report highlighted how vital community and connection are for women running businesses around motherhood. Virtual co-working brings those principles online, giving you the best of both worlds: time to focus on your business and the encouragement of like-minded mums. It’s not just about productivity — it’s about belonging.

The Power of Body Doubling

There’s science to back this up. Virtual co-working is also known as “body doubling.” The idea is simple: simply working alongside someone else — even silently and virtually — can boost focus and motivation. Research shows it’s especially effective for people with ADHD, but anyone can benefit from having a “study buddy” to stay on task.

For mums in business, body doubling helps combat distractions and procrastination. Knowing others are working alongside you creates gentle accountability — you’re less likely to wander off into laundry or scroll your phone when you’ve committed to a session. That quiet presence of others helps you settle, focus, and get the job done.

Summary

Virtual co-working with Freelance Mum is far more than “just working together.” It offers focus, support, and accountability in a flexible format that fits around family life. For mums in business, it’s a simple way to stay on track, flourish, and support each other.

Want to Find Out More?

Ready to give it a try? Join our next session and discover how virtual co-working can help you feel more focused, supported, and connected. It’s included in the Freelance Mum membership, and you can try it during your 30-day taster session.

👉 [Book your spot here]

NB: In the spirit of this session, this blog was written while virtually co-working — it’s a fantastic way to get things done!

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