How Volunteering Hawke's Bay Found Community at The HIVE

One of the best parts of my job is getting to know the people and organisations that work from The HIVE. Everyone has a different story and a different reason for choosing a shared workspace. I recently sat down with Tracey from Volunteering Hawke's Bay to hear about theirs.

If you haven't come across them before, Volunteering Hawke's Bay connects people with volunteer opportunities across our region. They work with more than 200 community organisations, matching people with roles that suit their skills, interests and availability. They also help organisations build strong volunteer programmes and encourage more people to get involved in volunteering.

When I asked why they started looking for a shared workspace, their answer was one I had heard from many others.

Like many organisations, they wanted somewhere that was affordable without being tied to the costs of a traditional office. Their work involves meeting with people, working together as a team and spending plenty of time out in the community. They didn't need a large office sitting empty for most of the week. They needed a space that worked around them and the HIVE ticked those boxes. 

Tracey mentioned something that really stood out to me. "It didn't feel like just renting a desk. It felt like becoming part of a wider network." This sums up what we hope people experience here at the HIVE. 

Since moving in, the team has found it much easier to work together and meet with community groups in a space that feels welcoming and professional. They also spoke about the conversations that occur naturally when you're surrounded by other businesses and organisations. Those chance chats that open doors to new relationships and opportunities that wouldn't have happened if they were working alone.

Flexibility has also made a real difference. Instead of paying for more office space than they need, they can use what works for them right now. In a time when every dollar matters, that has helped them keep costs under control without giving up a professional place to work.

“For not-for-profits especially, it’s a practical way to reduce costs without compromising on quality or impact”. There are no bills to organise, no maintenance to chase up and no general office issues to deal with. They can walk in, get started and spend their time focusing on the people they support instead of managing a workspace. This means they can put more energy into volunteer engagement and building relationships across Hawke's Bay. Which is where they want their focus to be.

I asked what they would say to another not-for-profit thinking about moving into a shared workspace. This was their advice:

"I’d say it’s definitely worth exploring. Shared workspaces like The HIVE offer flexibility, professionalism, and opportunities for collaboration that can really enhance how you work”

Before we finished up, I asked Tracey if there was anything else she wanted to share about her experience at The HIVE.  She said “One of the unexpected benefits has been the sense of connection. Being part of a shared space reminds you that you’re not working in isolation there’s a wider ecosystem of organisations all contributing to the community in different ways. That sense of shared purpose is really powerful”

This is the kind of feedback that means a lot to hear. It’s a reminder that shared workspaces are not just about having a place to work, but about the connections we make through conversations and a sense of community that happen along the way.