While it offers flexibility and comfort, by its very nature it can be isolating.
It’s a problem Melissa Sheppard discovered first hand after relocating to Echuca for her husband’s job.
Ms Sheppard intended to find a job locally shortly after moving, but after some seasonal work finished, she found herself spending more and more time in her house.
“I don’t think I’m naturally gifted at working from home,” she said.
“I was going a bit crazy being stuck inside, and I visited some friends back home who asked me if there was a coffee group I could go to just to get out the house.
“So I put something on the community page asking if anyone knows of one for people working from home and lots of people wrote back to say they didn’t but that it sounded like a great idea.”
Inspired, Ms Sheppard took matters into her own hands, putting out an open invitation for anyone interested to come and meet her on Thursday morning at a café.
The response wasn’t quite what she’d hoped for.
“One woman turned up in the first week and she and I were pretty much the only ones for the next six months,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Then all of a sudden, a few extra people started joining, and now we have a regular ground who turn up every week and a Facebook community of nearly 200.”
The group was born for people to meet others and get out of the house, but it’s quickly evolved into something far more meaningful.
“Yes, we’ve formed really good friendships from it,” Ms Sheppard said.
“But there’s also been quite a lot of support for each other."
At times the coffee catchups transform into something akin to an impromptu therapy session, with group members sharing challenges and leaning on each other for support.
Ms Sheppard said despite all the members coming from different backgrounds and having had different experiences, the group’s shared understanding, connection and friendship had kept them going strong.
“We’ve got some good women in the group,” she said.
“Real wise old souls, fun people.”
Though the group is predominantly female, Ms Sheppard’s golden rule is that it’s always open for all.
Indeed, inclusion is paramount to the group’s existence, with a concerted effort made to frequent cafés supporting employees who have disabilities.
“Being able to connect with those workers is so special,” she said.
“There are at least three places in town serviced by people with disabilities: Kennaugh’s Garden Centre, the Murray River Tearooms and Twin Rivers Specialist School.
“We absolutely love going to those cafés.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about participation and connection, and I’m so grateful to have this group.”
The Echuca Moama working-from-home coffee group meets every Thursday at 9.30am.
To find out more information or join the group for coffee, visit tinyurl.com/9xkrybcj
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