Yarra Ranges Council is facilitating a month-long coworking space for local community and businesses. Complimenting the project will be a series of networking events with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Deputy Mayor Johanna Skelton said that coworking can provide benefits beyond a warm space to work and access to Wi-Fi.
"The Council's Pandemic and Storm Impact surveys and also conversations with people who live and work in the area clearly demonstrate the effect the pandemic has had on the mental health of our community," she said.
"The opportunity to work outside of the home and connect with other people can have a positive impact on mental health."
"98% of Yarra Ranges businesses are small businesses, employing 19 people or less, and many are home-based. The Coworking Plus initiative is an opportunity for people to connect, promote their business and form ongoing support networks.
"Encouraging people to work locally can ease traffic, save carbon emissions and also have a positive effect for traders in the area; revitalising our townships."
The networking events include opportunities for people who work in, are associated with, or interested in health and wellbeing, trades or construction, and homebased businesses.
Council is also pleased to be partnering with local group, Business Mums of the Hills, in their monthly networking event.
The coworking plus space and networking events are open to all members of the community.
Coworking Plus is being run in partnership with Business Victoria, via the Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grants Program. It will run at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre, from July 11 to August 5.
