How it started

The project began as an initiative of Maurice and Charlotte Woodbridge, who hosted cohousing information evenings around their kitchen table during 2018 and 2019. 

Having invited friends, neighbours and others via the UK Cohousing Network, Eventbrite and speaking at a Cohousing London event, Charlotte and Maurice gave many presentations about co-housing over bowls of soup made with vegetables from their allotment and cups of tea and scones with homemade jam.  Those interested were invited to further gatherings. Some shared meals and probing sessions later, a committed group started to emerge. 

How it’s going

The existing Cohousing Harrow group organises visits to established co-housing sites, attends seminars to deepen our knowledge of community living, and keeps in regular contact through dedicated Facebook and WhatsApp groups. We have monthly group meetings where we make decisions and discuss next steps, which allow us to share our ideas, find common values and create new friendships. We have established sociocracy as our governance structure which has involved setting up relevant working groups.  These working groups, or circles  are dynamic and evolve with the needs of our community.