Hands-free chat for freelance writers/artists/etc?

[Sid London]

I work from home as a writer and artist right now. It gets pretty lonely as I don't know any artists/writers locally and there are no groups that I can meet up with for miles (and I can't afford to travel that much). I tried to start my own, but there wasn't a lot of interest. I would also prefer to have people to talk to while I work as that is when I feel isolated.

So... I'm looking to start an online 'office/studio' arrangement with people around the world in a similar situation. You don't have to be really talkative if you don't want to be (you wouldn't chat constantly in an office anyway) and if you are worried about copyright then you don't have to share your work at all. I have ordered a web cam/mic as I don't sit right next to my pc and don't really care if people see me working (all my finished work is advertised online anyway). I just need to feel like I'm not shut up alone in my room all day every day as that gets depressing (which in turn lowers my work output as I feel unmotivated).

I also think having people 'around' will encourage me to take better care of myself (as I'll be on camera) and not get distracted with other things instead of working. Peer pressure for the win!

So... any takers? I have Yahoo Messenger (I think there is hands free conferencing on there) or that Skype thing? I'm based in Essex/London, although it doesn't really matter where you are (just thinking in terms of time zones). You don't have to be an artist or writer - anything creative like animation, design, etc. Would just be good to get a group together of like-minded people.
Should add that I normally work from 9 to 5 (UK time) Monday to Friday.