A collection of freelance-first communities, where you can meet fellow freelancers, ask questions, get support, find work, resources, content and more.
Many communities are sector or capability specific, some are more general to all freelancers. We've tried to categorise the communities where we can, and list whether they're entirely free or have some paid offerings.
We prioritise communities which are UK focused, but have included a few global communities where they have strong UK memberships.
Remember, not every community will be right for you, and you might find it's useful to be a member of more than one community - or that you get different benefits from different groups of people.
You might also like this useful guide from Leapers on why finding a community is so important.
If you'd like your community added to the list, please let us know
General Freelancers
From £6/monthly
A global non-profit community of experienced freelance designers, developers, illustrators, strategists and makers.
Designers
Free
Offers dedicated advice, education, and opportunities tailored for Black Freelancers and Creatives in the UK.
Black Freelancers and Creatives
Free
For UK freelancers from all creative industries to join in discussions, network, share ideas & thoughts, and have a general chit-chat!
Creative Industries
Free
Digital Marketing Specialists
£75/monthly
For freelance parents trying to make flexible working work.
Long established freelancer community, hosted by Frankie Tortora, designer and award winning podcast host of the Doing it for the Kids podcast. Hugely welcoming and wonderfully supportive community space for parents who are juggling work and kids.
Freelancing Parents
From £6/monthly
European Freelancers
Free
A cosy little part of the internet, where creative freelancers can connect, collaborate, and share their creations!
Creative Production Freelancers
Free
A 14K+ community group for freelancers, the self-employed and small businesses.
General freelancers
Free
A global community for freelance journalists. We offer advice, moral support, learning and job opportunities for journalists whose main source of income is self-employment.
Journalists
Free
Charity and Purpose led
Free
A place for female freelance journalists to help each other, offer support and source case studies or experts for their articles/reports.
Journalists
Free
Strategists
Free
General freelancing
Free
Powered by The Hoxby Foundation, we believe in the transformational force of workstyle to refresh the world of work, changing all lives for the better
Anyone who is exploring different models of working
Free
Freelancing can be a pretty isolating affair - especially with increased working from home, and remote work. If you're not actively investing in building a support network around you, it can affect your mental health, but also prevent you from finding great work, finding answers and collaborators.
That's why we encourage anyone who is freelancing to find and join a number of freelancing-focused communities - so you can meet and connect with fellow freelancers, to ask questions, make connections, and recognise that you're not doing this alone.
Many communities have fantastic resource libraries, host learning events and social meetups, have jobs boards, and provide spaces to chat. For new freelancers they're an invaluable resource to access; for established freelancers, they're still incredibly useful as you'll always be learning, but there's also the opportunity to give back and support others.
Read our longer guide on why Community Matters, and how to get started engaging with communities
Building your own support network is critical - and being part of freelancing communities plays a big part in this.
Community is one of the most important parts of your support network as a freelancer. Matthew Knight explains why it matters so much.
We're building the independent guide to independent work.
Register to be updated when we publish new resources, content and tools.
Subscribe