Thom’s Scandinavian journey and the making of "Patch" York

What happens when a Yorkshire heart meets Scandinavian living? Thom’s journey from London to Stockholm and back to York tells the story.

In 2016, Thom and his wife Poppy were living and working in London. Both originally from York, they were beginning to wonder what life outside the capital might look like. Six months after the Brexit referendum, that question became real when Poppy was approached by a recruiter at Spotify.

The couple were flown to Stockholm for a “look-and-see” weekend — which happened to fall on Valentine’s Day. “We had this wonderfully romantic weekend, walked the city, and just fell in love with Stockholm,” Thom remembers. Within weeks, they had packed up and moved.

“I was really lucky,” he says. “Two weeks later I had a job just down the road from Spotify, at Norrsken House, a co-working hub for social entrepreneurs. It felt very different from the corporate world — a space built on the idea that business could do good for society.”

Lessons from Sweden

Those years in Stockholm left their mark. Thom quickly embraced the culture of proper sit-down lunches — eating real food at midday instead of a sandwich at the desk — and the daily pause for fika, stepping away from the workstation for coffee and a snack.

“Fika was one of the first things I embraced — stopping, even for a short while, and actually taking a break with people. It’s so important for your mental health and productivity.”

Work–life balance was another lesson. Leaving at 4pm to pick up the children, taking long summer holidays, making space for family — all things Thom has carried back with him.

His family embraced traditions too: Lucia, Christmas on the 24th, saffron buns, and midsummer gatherings. “We always did something — sometimes with other international families, sometimes at community celebrations. Food was a big part of it. Though I never quite managed to love the pickled herring!” he laughs.

At the same time, there were moments when he noticed the cultural differences. “As a Yorkshireman I chat to everyone — at the bus stop, in the shops, wherever. In Stockholm that was sometimes seen as a bit odd. People looked at you like, ‘why are you talking to me?’”

And then there was the famous July shutdown. “The first summer we thought it was so strange — the whole of Sweden disappearing for weeks. But once we’d experienced it, we embraced it. Having that long summer holiday with the kids was amazing, and now we try to keep that spirit here. Taking longer breaks is so healthy for you.”

Returning to York

By 2023, with two young children, Thom and Poppy decided it was time to come home. “We asked ourselves — do we see ourselves still here in 12 years’ time? The pull of family in England was strong. It felt like the right moment.”

Moving back in December was daunting, but the doubts faded quickly.

“Oddly, I haven’t really missed Sweden yet — maybe because I’ve brought the best of it back with me. The traditions, the way of working, even celebrating midsummer here at PATCH with friends.”

Patch York

Patch is York’s newest co-working and event space, part of a growing network across the UK. Thom leads the York site, as well as operations for the North of England and programming events across the group.

“It feels like the perfect fit,” he says. “Patch is focused on community, sustainability, and quality — values I saw in Sweden too. We use local suppliers, invest in the local area, and aim to be more than just desks and Wi-Fi. It’s about creating a place where good things happen.”

Patch offers:

• Co-working and meeting space by the river.

• A platform for events — from business networking to cultural talks.

• Opportunities for collaboration: if someone has an idea, a talk, or a project, Patch can provide the venue and energy.

Looking ahead

And if he could import one thing from Sweden? He doesn’t hesitate: “That combination of quality and community. The belief that if you’re going to do something, do it properly, and do it together. If we could build that into York’s everyday life — and maybe even bring a little midsummer gathering by the river — I think it would be wonderful.”

Connecting with the Scandinavian community

For Thom, Patch is also a natural home for York’s Scandinavian links. He’s keen to explore Scandi socials and meet-ups — from talks and cultural events to informal activities that bring people together. For the YASS community, it opens up exciting opportunities to collaborate, celebrate traditions, and keep the Anglo-Scandinavian connection alive in the heart of York.

That could mean more than socials: film nights, reading circles, language exchanges, or new cultural groups. If you’ve got an idea, Patch can provide the venue and the atmosphere to make it happen — with YASS helping to connect people and spread the word.

“Come by, grab a fika, join an event,” Thom says. “And if you’d like to be part of a Scandi meet-up at Patch, let’s make it happen — the door’s open.”