Hi Naive
I have just dropped a retained client where I worked in their office for doing my own stuff all the time, so I am now at home 4 days a week, so I hear you.
I am trying to secure a charity trusteeship position, as like you in the down times I find it all a bit much. I figure that it means I will sometimes be required to do things during the day for them/meetings/meet people. Could an organised thing like that appeal?
Are there any networking groups locally? I found a lot of them were women who were looking to find others for support as much as selling stuff. Try a few, I found they all differed.
Or something like www.ladiescircle.co.uk/joinus/Clubfinder/ or the WI? It sounds like something organised for you might work.
I'd also think about hobbies. I appreciate you need to work, but part of the point (we are told!) of working for ourselves is having the flex to do our own stuff. You might find that there are daytime running clubs/cooking clubs etc. Could you see it as your lunch break?
Have a look at meetup.com or eventbrite.co.uk, you will be amazed at the sorts of gatherings that take place.
It doesn't sound like your thing, but what about trying to organise your own group? Advertise on FB, local Netmums or community boards. Could just be a 'co-working' session. To alleviate my own loneliness I have approached a local newish pub and we are starting a co-working session once a week on a Tues. The idea being people just rock up with a laptop.
Business hubs/co-working clubs often do a pay-as-you-go membership? Could you try if you can work remotely (see below).
The one things that strikes me as a barrier is the need to work on a full desktop. Can you really not use a laptop? I sometimes just to to Starbucks if I need a change of scene.
You might find a little bit of time away from home is all your need, not an office somewhere.