Issy has been a retail assistant at the Helensville Hospice Op Shop for the past year – a job she says has changed her life. “I moved to Helensville to be near my daughter and her family, and through the Hospice Shop I’ve met so many people and made good friends, and it’s a nice place to live,” she says. As a local, it now takes her less than five minutes to drive to work – a big relief after many years of long commutes.
Issy originally volunteered at the Helensville store before covid hit. Then a year ago she took the opportunity to re-join as a casual before picking up permanent shifts and is now working three days each week. “It’s a great job and I love the people I work with. It’s always fun and we laugh a lot,” she smiles.
As is typical for a Hospice Op Shop, no two days are the same. On any given day Issy could be serving on the till, working on a display, quality-checking clothes, sorting through donations or pricing, as well as doing the end-of-day reconciliation and stationery orders.
Issy loves working for Rachel, the store manager, who she says is wonderful and supportive. “We love Rachel, she’s so nice. There’s no one who doesn’t get on with her,” she says. The team is supported by a lovely group of volunteers who add to the fun and friendly atmosphere.
The Helensville Hospice Op Shop has a supportive base of regular customers. “We have lovely customers and know most of them by name,” Issy explains. “And for some people it’s a social outing too. There’s one customer I’ve become friends with who comes in, sits down and chats with everybody – it’s definitely her happy place.”
