Jelly is a coworking concept that began in New York in 2006 when two roommates realised that they loved working from home, but missed the creative brainstorming, sharing, and camaraderie of the traditional office environment.
They invited friends to come and work from their apartment for one day a week and so the ‘Jelly’ concept was born and offshoots now span the globe.
Well we checked out the Bristol Jelly equivalent which has been kickstarted by Lee Cottier, a Bristol based Learning and Development specialist, which rotates around different locations in Bristol and Bath and relies on the generosity of cafes, studios and open office locations.
Earlier this week eOffice Bristol kindly allowed twenty odd freelancers to bring in tea, coffee and biscuits (actually provided by Lee, thanks Lee! 
and work from their funky offices for the day.
It was refreshing to meet new people, make contacts and work in a great environment right in the middle of the city. Lee had organised it down to a ‘T’ and made a great host, greeting everyone that came in to join the ‘Jelldown.’
Lee says, “Jelly is so perfect for Bristol and Bath’s large community of freelancers and entrepreneurs that I was really surprised it wasn’t already happening locally. So I thought I’d better help get it started myself! After only a few months we already have one of the most developed series of local Jellies in the UK.”
Other locations visited so far have included: Jika Jika Coffee House in Bath, The Office Bristol, Orchard Street Business Centre Bristol, and eOffice Bristol.
Lee is keen to find more venues in Bristol and Bath willing to hold the occasional Jelly: “It’s a win-win. The attendees get all the trademark Jelly benefits of inspiration, motivation and networking, while the venues get exposure and a little gentle publicity for the services they can offer the local solo worker and micro-business. At the same time we’re spreading the idea of the larger coworking culture, which can only be good for both parties.”
Founder and CEO of eOffice Pier Paolo Mucelli says, “It was a great coworking day @eOfficeBristol this week and really cool to share our open plan environment with twenty local freelancers, self employed and entrepreneurs. We plan to support the Jelly initiative with our creative spaces across the UK and provide the suitable physical environment and assist small businesses to generate more contacts and business opportunities.”
So if you are going stir crazy at home and need to get out of the house and network with likeminded people check out more information here or follow @CoWorkingWest on Twitter.
Another local Jelly inspired day is the regular Open Studio Friday at the equally cool space, Pervasive Media Studio which is located on the Bristol Docks and is also well worth a visit with your laptop.