Liverpool Coronavirus: Google Hangout series launches to help people working from home

Creative Kitchen is launching a new Google Hangout series to keep its community together during the Coronavirus challenge.

And with around 80% of businesses now working remotely from home, it’s urging more people to join them as they try ‘something new’ to support ‘friends and colleagues’ in the digital, technology and creative environment.

The first event, being held today between 2pm and 2.45pm, will be talking to Jake Mills, founder of Liverpool-based national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, which created the Hub of Hope app, the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool.

During the hangout, it will discuss how people can look after their mental health while home working. Also on the agenda will be how everyone can support the business network and those around them throughout the coming weeks.

Creative Kitchen’s Gavin Sherratt, said: “Everybody is getting used to being in home in isolation, and thinking about what it’s going to do to our mental health so we wanted to look at that first of all. The Hub of Hope and its Crisis Text Line function will be a vital resource for so many people at this time, so it’s important that we raise awareness of that within this discussion.

“But there will also be a business focus as we look at the pressure to keep everything going during the period of uncertainty.”

Creative Kitchen was launched in July 2014 in line with the International Festival of Business: “It was a side project from our main business,” says Gavin. “We realised there was no content for the creative and digital sector and so we created a week-long series of events alongside it.”

Since then, CK has grown with event sessions aimed at supporting and helping those within the sector. In particular, its regular Developer Breakfasts where members can share experiences, discuss issues and constantly build a Liverpool community of developers, creatives, designers and technically-minded entrepreneurs.

“Events are obviously physical,” adds Gavin, co-founder and managing director of Mashbo, “so we needed to create a series of events online now that’s not possible.

“It’s about us pulling together to keep the wheels turning. We can share  problems and hopefully work out how to fix them, and support one another through this.”

People registered for the first Hangout session come from as far afield as North Wales, Manchester and, even, Oxford University.

“Obviously spaces are limited for the Hangout series, future topics for which will include insurance for businesses and what’s covered and how to educate your child while working from home. But we hope other people will register with us by joining our twitter handle and, if people have ideas for discussions then, please let us know.

“Since we started Creative Kitchen we have had 2,500 people through our doors, mostly from Liverpool, but it would be great if that could grow so that we can support each other and help one another through this difficult period.”