The times they are a-changing.

coFWD’s journey to date has been amazing. Starting in 2009 through social gatherings fuelled by coffee and beer, we later took on a small loft space to launch a coworking community in Kent. Since 2011 our home has been the former Natwest bank building on Rochester High Street. Two and a half years and 200+ events/workshops on, we’ve decided it’s time to think about coFWD’s evolution and this means taking some time out to plan the next chapter.

Community-led, independent-of-funding and without any staff, we’re reliant solely on the participation of local people and the income we generate through space hire and coworking. We didn’t set out to start a business or make money, we set out to make a positive difference to where we live, and to inspire people to get things done without red-tape or bureaucratic constraint. We hope coFWD has provided inspiration and helped make a difference locally.

To everyone we’ve met thus far we say thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for your energy and enthusiasm, and thank you for rolling up your sleeves, getting things done, donating your time, equipment and furniture, and getting stuck in to inspire others and to make your mark on Medway and elsewhere.

With countless connections and many friends made, a staggering number of workshops and projects run, various businesses launched, and immeasurable amounts of fun had, it’s time for something new.

coFWD will move out of 161 High Street by Friday 20th June 2014.

Most of our furniture and equipment will be sold or gifted elsewhere (coworkers who donated us things will have first refusal but do take a peek and let us know if you’re interested in anything) – we’ll start moving furniture at the beginning of June and all funds raised will go towards our next community-minded venture. The organisations and groups that currently hire our rooms for events and workshops will be redirected to other local spaces – we’ll honour our current room bookings but won’t be taking on any new ones.

We’ll be having a moving bash in June (TBC – for details please call us).
Our plans are evolving but it’s safe to say you’ll see us again =)