Branching out: the unique outdoor office space now available to book in Carmarthenshire

This Blue Monday (16 January), a new Wellbeing Workhub has been unveiled at Llyn Llech Owain Country Park, Carmarthenshire — offering a unique, tranquil working space surrounded by nature.

Developed and funded through the Valleys Regional Park — a partnership delivering a greener South Wales Valleys, for the region’s long-term health, wellbeing, and prosperity — and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council, the Workhub is located within one of VRP’s twelve Discovery Gateways.

Free to book, the Workhub is designed to maximise the multiple benefits of having access to nature during the working day – including benefits to health, wellbeing and productivity. The Workhub boasts an outdoor meeting shelter for larger groups, as well as convenient and accessible car parking, bicycle bays and toilet facilities.

It also provides a variety of options to stay active and challenge the traditional nine-to-five working day with an abundance of nature trails to be explored and benches dotted along the lake’s perimeter — perfect for taking a break and catching up with friends or colleagues.

Surrounded by 180 acres of natural beauty, the new working space is part of the Welsh Government’s remote working strategy, which aims to move 30% of the Welsh workforce away from traditional office spaces*.

Responses to the Commonplace Remote Working Survey conducted by the Welsh Government** indicate that 68% of respondents were positive about remote working hubs — and being near nature and green spaces ranked in the top five most important requirements respondents could choose when describing their desired remote working hub.

Valleys Regional Park Lead, Phil Lewis, said: “Green co-working spaces such as this one at Llyn Llech Owain provide a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the work culture and wellbeing of the workforce in Wales.

“Not only is it set in a beautiful location that’s sure to inspire anyone working there, it’s also a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life — whilst still being well-connected enough to allow a sustainable commute.

“By now, we’re well-versed in the countless benefits of being close to nature, and I look forward to seeing businesses of all sizes taking advantage of this free-to-book space, for the wellbeing of their staff.”

The Workhub can be found inside the park’s Discovery Tower — directly adjacent to the Llyn Llech Owain Lake — and can be booked for free by emailing HWBLLO@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or visiting: www.pembreycountrypark.wales/plan-your-visit/wellbeing-workhub/.

For those looking for an outdoor office space in The Valleys, a Wellbeing Workhub will soon be open for bookings at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar. Keep an eye on their website for updates: www.parcbrynbach.co.uk/

* https://www.gov.wales/remote-working-policy

** https://www.gov.wales/remote-working-public-engagement-exercise-local-work-hubs-html