It’s scientifically proven that the spaces we live in affect our wellbeing. In big cities like London, it’s vital to live somewhere that’s not only affordable and well-located but also thoughtfully designed. That’s why promoting wellness in Pocket developments is such a fundamental part of our design.
The pandemic pivot
If anything highlighted the importance of this link between home and wellbeing, it was the pandemic. During this time, the relationship with our homes underwent a significant change. They evolved from places where we eat, sleep and play to places where we work and exercise too, blurring boundaries as we knew them.
At the height of the pandemic, we collaborated on research with LSE London to provide a snapshot of how London’s young renting workforce lived during lockdown. We found that those surveyed had, on average, just 9.3m2 of private personal space. Isolation, cramped living conditions and lack of access to outside spaces are problems that many city dwellers face, but the pandemic really brought them to the surface.
It highlighted just how important it is to create quality, affordable homes that allow city makers to live and work comfortably.
An expert’s view on healthier buildings
Former Pocket resident and author of Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Wellbeing, Ben Channon, previously shared his thoughts on how buildings affect mental health, telling us:
‘We spend over 90% of our time in buildings, so architecture (particularly our homes) can affect us in many ways. Bigger windows can help regulate our circadian rhythms and improve our sleep. Great communal spaces can encourage us to be more social and counteract loneliness, which we know has a significant impact on morbidity rates. And the use of natural materials like timber or stone has been shown to improve our mood and even lower our blood pressure.’
At Pocket Living, we’ve always used clever design to promote wellness. Read on to learn more about how we support wellbeing in Pocket developments and how we’re continuing to innovate.
Pocket design
Communal outdoor spaces
Communal areas for residents to meet and socialise are part of every Pocket development. These include outdoor spaces like:
- Rooftop terraces, increasing biodiversity while giving residents somewhere to breathe fresh air and socialise with each other.
- Landscaped gardens, offering spaces to pause, unwind and enjoy nature.
- Allotments with plant beds, allowing residents to grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers, while making developments greener and more sustainable.
Working from home
The findings from our report with LSE showed that during lockdown, 37% of those surveyed were sleeping and working in their bedroom, and nearly half of respondents reported not having a suitable place to work. Many were also affected by noise and limited privacy, and the lack of a suitable workspace can be largely detrimental to wellbeing.
Hybrid working is one of the pandemic’s biggest legacies. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, as of March 2025, 28% of UK workers follow this working pattern. In London, this figure rises to 68%, showing just how commonplace it is among city makers.
With this in mind, it’s important to have a suitable space to work from home. That’s why Pocket developments often feature communal workspaces and breakout areas, offering residents an alternative place to work beyond their home offices. Spaces like these can also facilitate professional interactions and networking opportunities among the community.
Many Pocket homeowners choose to set up home offices in their living rooms, where the design has been carefully considered to accommodate a workspace. We also have a document available to help residents create an optimal WFH environment.
Creating a sense of community
Each Pocket development has its own unique sense of community; with residents being local first-time buyers, they already have a lot in common. Before they move in, we host a welcome drinks reception so they can get to know each other. We also help buyers set up a residents’ management committee to decide how their building should be run.
Pocket buyers have a support network of like-minded people, and we promote this sense of community wherever possible. One way we do this is the Pocket App. Since its launch in 2019, we’ve rolled it out to all developments, helping homeowners connect and stay up-to-date with what’s happening in their communities.
Wellbeing facilities near Pocket developments
It’s easier to prioritise wellbeing when you have health facilities and service providers close to home. That’s why our Pocket developments are in locations with convenient access to gyms, parks and wellness clinics.
Addiscombe Grove, East Croydon
Located just a short walk from East Croydon town centre, Addiscombe Grove is close to several gyms and fitness studios. Options include well-known favourites like The Gym Group, PureGym and Nuffield Health, and boutique spaces like Reformer Club Croydon and MoreYoga.
There are plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors too. Nearby green spaces include Park Hill Park and Lloyd Park, ideal for running, walking and sports like football and tennis.
For holistic self-care, head to The Wellness Therapy Centre, which has your health, wellbeing and beauty needs covered. Services include osteopathy, podiatry, massage therapy, counselling and more.
Forest Road, Walthamstow
At Forest Road in Walthamstow, you’ll have a range of fitness communities at your fingertips. East of Eden is your go-to for barre, yoga, reformer Pilates and spin; Sanson Pilates provides private and small-group classes; and personal training is on hand at the likes of SGF Training and Elevate Fitness.
Public green spaces combine nature and leisure, with Lloyd Park featuring an outdoor gym. Meanwhile, the expansive Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre has an outdoor athletics track, swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, a spa and much more.
Further wellness experiences are on offer at Tuned In Sound, a meditation and breathwork specialist just a short walk from our Pocket homes in Walthamstow. There are also several massage clinics nearby, like MeiLu Health Spa and Studio Lomas, perfect for a relaxing or restorative treatment.
Woodside Park, Finchley
Woodside Park benefits from proximity to North Finchley’s amenities, including a selection of wellness centres. Whether you’re looking for chiropractic care, acupuncture, osteopathy or massage therapy, there’s a clinic to suit – check out the likes of N12 Health and North London Wellness Clinic for more information.
Your physical health is covered too, thanks to gyms and fitness studios like Restoractive, MoreYoga and PureGym. And when the outdoors call, lace up your trainers for a stroll through Riverside Park, just a stone’s throw from the development.
Sheepcote Road, Harrow
Our Sheepcote Road development in Harrow has a range of health and wellbeing services nearby. For fitness, there’s Gold’s Gym, Buzz Gym and The Gym Group all within walking distance. If you prefer exercising outdoors, then you can either pound the pavements or head to runner-friendly green spaces like Harrow Recreation Ground and Kenton Recreation Ground.
When it’s time to realign, Harrow Chiropractic has your back (literally and figuratively). And for aesthetics, there’s The Wellness Station and Ultra Wellbeing & Aesthetic Clinic, which both offer a range of treatments.
The future of wellbeing at Pocket homes
We’re continuing to innovate wherever we can to promote wellbeing at our Pocket communities. This includes exploring options for future developments, like enhanced wellness areas, dedicated fitness spaces and urban farms.
One thing’s for certain – we remain passionate about evolving and delivering innovative homes that meet the modern needs of city makers.
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