When Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) began looking for a new workspace, the need went beyond simply finding desks or a central location. As a not-for-profit working across community, government, and clean energy, their workspace needed to support both internal collaboration and external engagement.
“We previously had access to a space in Richmond where we regularly booked meeting rooms. When that space closed, we had to find a new collaboration space.”
Their search led them to United Co, where they first came in for a trial day. What began as a practical solution for team collaboration gradually developed into a long-term partnership that has grown alongside the organisation.
A Small Team With a Growing Mission
Yarra Energy Foundation is an independent organisation focused on accelerating the transition to clean energy. Their work spans advisory, community engagement, home electrification, supporting households, owners corporations, businesses, and local governments to reduce emissions and adopt renewable solutions.
Operating as a small but highly collaborative team, their work requires a balance between internal coordination and external engagement, from strategy sessions and board meetings to workshops and stakeholder discussions.
“As a not-for-profit, we needed a flexible, cost-effective solution. We needed a space where our team could collaborate and access meeting spaces,” says Timothy Shue, General Manager of Yarra Energy Foundation.
Starting With Flexibility
YEF officially joined United Co. in January 2023 with a hybrid coworking setup. This allowed their team to work flexibly while still accessing essential facilities such as meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and a central business address.
At this stage, flexibility was key. The setup enabled the team to come together on collaboration days while maintaining a working model that suited their size and structure.
As their programs expanded, so did the way they used the space. Team collaboration became more frequent, and the need for professional meeting environments increased alongside their growing network of partners and stakeholders.
From Workspace to Community Hub
As YEF’s work developed, their needs extended beyond internal operations. Their programs increasingly involved workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder engagement, making access to well-equipped boardrooms and training spaces an important part of how they deliver their work. These spaces have enabled them to host professional sessions and connect more effectively with partners and the wider community.
“Our team loves the flexibility the space provides. As our team has grown, the space has adapted accordingly. As a non-profit we love being part of a community that is supportive. We regularly participate in community events.”
Over time, United Co. became more than just a workplace. It evolved into an environment that supports both productivity and connection, a place where the team can engage with partners, host events ranging from small meetings to 2-day workshops of up to 40 attendees, and feel part of a broader community.
“We also love taking a break in the games room and playing table tennis.”
A Space That Grows With the Team
By April 2025, YEF had reached a stage where a more dedicated setup was needed. As their team expanded, conversations around their workspace needs became more intentional.
“When our team started getting bigger, our account manager, Esther, reached out to discuss if our membership was still meeting our needs. We were interested in comparing options.”
After exploring different configurations, the team moved into a private office designed around their hybrid model.
“After evaluating the options, we felt having 24/7 access would be beneficial to our team going forward. Having a small office for our larger team to rotate through provided us with the right balance.”
This approach allowed them to maintain flexibility while creating a more consistent base for their growing team.
Yarra Energy Foundation Continuing to Expand
As of 2026, YEF continues to grow, both in team size and in the scale of their programs and community engagement. Their move into a larger eight-workstation office reflects this progression. The expanded space provides more room for collaboration, improved functionality for day-to-day work, and a layout better suited to a growing team.
“Now that our team is spending more time on the phone, we look forward to having a little more space. We will be moving into a window office and the team is very excited about having a view and more storage for our materials and merchandise.”
Features such as increased natural light and additional storage further support their evolving needs, creating an environment that can accommodate the next phase of their development.
More Than Just an Office
Over time, United Co. has supported Yarra Energy Foundation through multiple stages of growth, from a small team using coworking facilities to a growing organisation operating from a dedicated private office.
Access to professional boardrooms and training spaces has enabled them to host workshops and engage partners effectively, while the flexibility of the workspace has allowed them to scale without disruption.
“The United Co staff are fantastic, they make working here feel familiar and comfortable. There’s nowhere else we’d rather work.”
For an organisation focused on delivering community impact, having a workspace that adapts along the way has played an important role in supporting both their operations and their broader mission.
A Workspace That Grows With You
Yarra Energy Foundation’s journey reflects how the right workspace can support more than just daily operations. It can enable collaboration, facilitate community engagement, and adapt as an organisation grows.
At United Co., the focus is on providing flexible workspaces that support teams at every stage, from early growth to long-term expansion.
