Episode Summary
Alex Young doesn’t want applause for installing ramps.
As Director at Projects in Brighton, she’s focused on something much harder: making inclusion part of the architecture of everyday coworking life.
From universal design to neurodivergent coaching, this episode is a masterclass in what it takes to build truly accessible spaces, not just compliant ones.
Emily and Alex delve into the cultural, emotional, and structural aspects of accessibility.
They unpack why well-meaning spaces still fail people with disabilities, how funding like Access to Work can transform a team, and what real self-advocacy looks like in an environment that doesn’t always listen.
This isn’t just about doorways and desks.
It’s about dignity.
Come for the quiet room layouts.
Stay for the moment, Alex explains why mentorship in Berlin—and inclusion policy in the UK—aren’t just good ethics. They have good infrastructure.
*This is a ‘rewind’ episode first posted in 2024 - we think it is worth sharing again!
Timeline Highlights
[00:05] Emily plugs Unreasonable Connection—and what makes it more than just a meetup
[00:29] Alex’s role at Projects and why coworking is more than square footage
[01:48] Body doubling, time zones, and the quiet power of co-presence
[02:33] What “universal design” actually means—and how it shows up in a building
[04:04] Ramps and quiet spaces are great—but they’re not the whole answer
[04:40] Where well-intentioned workspaces fall flat: they don’t ask
[05:57] How to self-advocate when you’re used to being ignored
[07:32] Access to Work and the invisible resources that already exist
[09:40] Lessons from Impact Hub Berlin: mentoring across difference
[11:07] Inclusion as a competitive advantage—and a personal priority
[12:59] Why Alex stayed in coworking—and how sociology still shapes her thinking
[16:15] A practical, human checklist for accessibility from day one
[18:03] How to reach Alex—and why she’s always happy to talk
Episode Breakdown
Coworking Isn’t Inclusive by Default
Just because a space is “cool” doesn’t mean it’s accessible.
Alex walks through the design decisions behind Projects’ spaces—wide doorways, adjustable desks, quiet zones—but also explains why no checklist beats asking people what they need.
The Emotional Labour of Advocacy
For many disabled or neurodivergent people, asking for basic accommodations is exhausting.
Alex offers a nuanced take: yes, self-advocacy is powerful—but it shouldn’t always fall on the person with the “difference” to initiate the conversation.
Spaces must signal safety first.
Free Money, Untapped Power
Access to Work is a UK government scheme that helps employers fund accessibility solutions; however, most people are not aware of it.
Alex explains how Projects uses it (with Exceptional Individuals) to secure tech, training, and coaching for team members.
If you're in the UK and not using this… you’re leaving impact on the table.
Don’t Just Look Inside—Look Around
Coworking spaces often focus on their own four walls.
But Alex highlights Impact Hub Berlin’s mentorship programme, which pairs business leaders with underrepresented entrepreneurs in the city.
It’s a reminder that inclusion isn’t just about who’s already inside—it’s also about who still feels unwelcome.
Her Why: Sociology, Cafés, and a Sense of Place
Alex studied people.
Then she worked from cafés.
Then she realised—none of them felt right.
Her entry into coworking was part accident, part calling.
She didn’t build an app, but she did find her people.
Now she makes sure others can find theirs too.
🔗 Links & Resources
People
Events & Projects
Coworking Ecosystem
Referenced in Episode
One More Thing
Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.
Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability—values that shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.
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