{"id":3000017809,"date":"2020-08-17T14:49:49","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T18:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=3000017809"},"modified":"2020-10-09T13:01:22","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T17:01:22","slug":"seeking-support-networks-freelancers-return-to-the-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/community-stories\/member-spotlight\/seeking-support-networks-freelancers-return-to-the-office","title":{"rendered":"Seeking support networks, freelancers return to the office"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After more than three months working from home, Meirav Erlich Yeshaya, a freelance styling and image consultant in Israel, was eager to return to WeWork. \u201cI really felt it was time for me to get out again,\u201d Erlich Yeshaya says. \u201cBeing somewhere that gives you the feeling of belonging to something bigger<\/a> is very inspiring for my work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erlich Yeshaya, a member of WeWork 1 Shankar St<\/a>, in Herzliya, Israel, is one of dozens of freelancers joining or returning to WeWork locations in Israel under a new program\u2014WeWork for Freelancers<\/a>\u2014that offers services and extra support to freelancers. In addition to having access to mentorship and workshops, freelancers in the program will have 24\/7 access to one of 10 WeWork locations across Israel and will be able to book conference rooms at other locations in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen the pandemic hit, many freelancers were hit hard and suddenly quit WeWork,\u201d explains Benjy Singer, general manager of WeWork Israel. This not only hurt freelancers themselves but also the general WeWork community, which is a place where businesses of all sizes, including entrepreneurs<\/a> and freelancers<\/a>, can come together and collaborate<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe freelancer part of the WeWork ecosystem is critical,\u201d Singer says. So the team wanted to find a way to encourage freelancers to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program was also \u201cthe right thing to do,\u201d Singer adds, as many businesses slowed down or dried up during the global pandemic, and freelancers were often left on their own. <\/p>\n\n\n