Welcome to Innovation Works London

Outside of work, Ash and Sean love to dive into a good book with a hot cup of coffee from Edgar and Joes. As avid readers, they say they love how close their office at Innovation Works is to great community resources like the recently renovated Central Library downtown. They are passionate about supporting the...

“Come down to Innovation Works. Check out what communities are doing here. If something interests you, engage with it. Trust that people are loving and kind - here, at Innovation Works, they always are.”

Coming to Innovation Works, I had never heard of social enterprise. However, since becoming a DECA, I’ve been taught all about it, from hands-on experience with social entrepreneurs, to one-on-one time with the amazing Julie Forrester, to attending amazing events that showcase our local entrepreneurs. Being a...

Innovation Works really is the embodiment of what the future can hold for organizations, and it’s very inspiring to see such positive, inclusive engagement be made more accessible.

Currently, Mensadora is creating a program focusing on teaching seventh and eighth graders about period shaming. In the fall, Mensadora will be running a pilot program teaching students how to sew their own set of pads. Those not needing pads can choose to make pads to donate or can join in on other projects....

“Innovation works is less a space as it is a community,” he says. “I’ve developed the most meaningful friendships and partnerships in my entire life. This is a space where people gather in solidarity and love, compassion and conscious creation – a community in the best sense of the word.”

As we say "adieu" to our resident writer Sean Meyer; who recently took on a new challenge. We want to thank you, Sean; for all the amazing stories you helped us tell about our co-tenants. Your talent is matched...

Broadcast journalism didn’t end up paying off, nor did a venture into teaching for the French language school board, but 11 years later Mélanie’s leap of faith has grown into a full-fledged business, WordFrog Inc.

One of the biggest advantages of being an Innovation Works co-tenant, Julie said, is all the connections she has already made in just one month within the space.

Justin said the plan is to do some hiring this year, building up his team to 50 percent more staff in the next six months.

After almost 10 years, Mohammed realized MRCSSI isn’t only providing community based services, it’s doing the work of multiple organizations.

Barry Ellis was looking to make a change and fate would take him to just the place to gain the skills he needed to find not only the success he was looking for, but would eventually make him a regular visitor to Innovation Works.

Put another way, he gets a computer to do repetitive tasks, which then free up people to do the things they would rather focus on.

But then, she left the hospital and struck out into the community. With more than 25 years being a formal leader in organizations, she learned to step into her own power...

“Each year, we invest in professional artists so they can showcase their talents, support youth in our community to be able to tell their stories, to open their minds and explore new ideas, new ways of creating and co-creating with the arts,” Andrea said.

As they initially didn’t know how to upcycle a wheelchair, they eventually partnered with Goodwill Commercial Solutions to develop a standardized upcycling process to ensure every device that comes through the company is safe, clean and high quality.

When it comes to making websites accessible, Ryan said there is a list of 60 guidelines developers need to check off when building out a website to get to AAA compliance — the highest level — with the AODA.

“For the students, it’s the opportunity for them to engage with London, the people of London, that you just can’t do when you stay on campus,” she said. “There is a definite, different energy and shift when the students come into this space.”

LAVA gets together on a monthly basis with discussing regular business then a forum for the membership where specific topics are brought forward and discussed.

"Out of sight, out of mind, and a business like mine is entirely dependent on people connecting with me,” she said. “I don’t have a website, so I have to remain visible. I can think of all kinds of discussions I have been a part of that would never have happened without being here."

“Between yoga and meditation, I later added Reiki (a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation), because energy healing modality was something my naturopath told me I needed because my anxiety was so bad,” she said. “Then I moved, organically, into helping other people with this. When I left the...

Quick to acknowledge her pride for young people who are utilizing the space, not to mention those who are showing social consciousness and the ability to collaborate in different ways, Maureen said she understands why the spirit of innovation works so well with the audience she is dedicated to writing about.