Online communities - a way through the troubles?

Birmingham-based digital agency, Tribera, is using online communities to boost morale and goodwill throughout the coronavirus crisis.

With half of its workforce made up of working parents, Michelle Ivins – one of the agency’s managing partners – took the decision to set up a Facebook group to support parents at this difficult time.

The group – called Our Mini Tribe Adventurers – features recommendations on activities to keep kids occupied, home-schooling tips and general positive news stories to boost goodwill and lift parents’ sprits.

With users posting updates and sharing advice multiple times a day, the Facebook group has grown to almost 2,500 members in a matter of days.

With health and wellbeing a cause for concern for many in isolation at the moment, Tribera is also running daily HIIT workouts from another Facebook group – Home Workouts with #TribeOut.

Run by creative director and part-time fitness instructor, Dan Osadciw, the workouts are streamed live each day at 08:45 and are open for anyone to join.

Fran Nolan, managing director at Tribera, said: “When you’ve put a lot of effort into building your team and culture, it can feel like a shock to the system when that’s suddenly taken away from you and you’re confined to your own four walls.

“And like many businesses across the UK, we’ve been faced with a new challenge of having to juggle childcare whilst still supporting clients.

“These two Facebook groups are our way of bringing people together online, building communities, and providing some temporary relief for those needing support.”