New 'Village Office' set up to tackle rural isolation

A new 'Village Office' has been set up in Lindridge to tackle isolation and provide a working space for people living in rural areas.

Malvern Hills District Council is working with Community First to trial the concept across rural areas of the district, with Lindridge Parish Hall, Tenbury Wells, as the first location.

The idea has come about as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in homeworking.

The Village Office provides a space where people can come together to work, study, hold meetings and more, to prevent loneliness and isolation.

The large space includes a workstation for people to bring their laptops, a social space, a photocopier, printer, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities. There is also high-quality audio-visual equipment available for video conferencing.

An Open Afternoon event at Lindridge Parish Hall is being held on Wednesday 23 March at 2pm for people to find out more information.

Julia Cooper, Chair at Lindridge Parish Hall, and Richard Rainbird-Hitchins, Secretary at Lindridge Parish Hall, said: "Lindridge Parish Hall is proud to be launching the new Village Office space. We want the hall to be the hub of the Parish and what better way to utilise the hall, than to join others through sharing workspace. The facilities we have on offer are second to none."

Nick Comley, Community Business Development Manager at Community First, said: "We know that many people will still need, and want, to work flexibly after the pandemic and the Village Office provides a cost-effective bridge between home working and a full return to the office. The availability of a high quality co-working space, conveniently located, will help to reduce commuting costs and emissions in an inflationary environment while generating much needed revenue for the charities that operate village halls across Malvern Hills."

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "The Village Office is a great concept and opens up lots of opportunities for people living in rural areas across the district. The space has the potential to bring together people from different walks of life and it is a great way to network with other home workers and businesses. I encourage everyone to go along to the Open Afternoon event to find out more."

Visit www.lindridgeparishhall.co.uk for more information. Contact the hall directly on 01584 881747 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.