focusinterview.
Jemma Manager for the new Lifeline shop in Forster.
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i Jemma. Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be appointed as manager for the new Lifeline shop at
Forster ... I have worked as a manager in a local menswear store for the last 10 years. I noticed the advertisement for the Shop Manager’s position for the new Lifeline store in Forster in the local paper and thought it would be a challenging and rewarding role. It seemed to be the perfect fit for me at this time in my life. I am currently at TAFE studying a Certificate IV in Community Services and when the chance presented itself to combine my retail experience with a community based organisation, I jumped at the chance. What will your role/responsibilities be in this position? My role will be to oversee the daily operations of our store while working alongside our volunteers to generate as much profit as we can to keep our telephone crisis support and suicide intervention services running and supporting people in need. Where is the new shop located? We are located in the old Retravision building, on the corner of Breese Parade and Boundary Street in Forster, just past Stocklands. The signage on the shop has been completed and there are flags waving everywhere to announce our arrival in Forster. You can’t miss it. What days/hours is the shop open? The shop is open 9.30 to 4.30 Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 3.30 Saturday, and 9.30 to 3.30 Sunday school holidays only. What types of goods do you have in stock
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at the moment? We have a great mix of donated and new goods in the store. I have been very impressed with our community’s response to our Lifeline Shop, with people donating really lovely items. At the moment we have a great range of collectables and affordable great quality furniture. I have also spotted some We also have a ck truck that will pi highly sought after u yo If s. m items for the vintage up larger ite ount of have a large am lovers out there. There te , we furniture to dona the are great finds in ew benefit the local comvi can come and homewares, clothing .” up ck pi munity? items before and accessories for all The funds raised by ages. the store go to Lifeline Mid We always receive great Coast, which provides a number feedback from people on the of services including: support new Egyptian towels that we carry. groups for those bereaved by suicide, What’s the process for community memChristmas memorial services, suicide prevenbers who may have items they wish to tion training and presentations, and Lifeline’s donate to the shop? 13 11 14 Telephone Crisis Support. As we are trying to really create a great The shop had its official opening/launch shop, we need to be careful of what we acon January 19. What happened on the cept as donations. Items that are soiled and/or day, and how big a success was the broken will not be accepted. If you have items launch? you wish to donate, please bring them to our We had a fantastic day. The Lions Club ran a store to our lovely volunteers, or there are bins BBQ, providing delicious sausage sandwiches, placed at the side of the store for donations. and Wesley Uniting Employment supplied We also have a truck that will pick up larger a coffee cart, providing free coffee and hot items. If you have a large amount of furniture chocolate to keep us all going. There were free to donate, we can come and view the items balloons for all the kids, and Pirate Pete and before pick up. We cannot guarantee that we Fairy came to do face painting for the kids. It will always take all your items. We are proud was a great family fun day out. of our recycling history and try not to add to Furthermore, for the second time that week, our local tips, so please only donate items that things virtually flew off the shelves, leaving may be useful to someone else. No broken or a flurry of volunteers madly restocking the unclean items. shelves and helping people wherever they How do funds raised by the shop go to could. We have an amazing team of people.
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Are you looking for volunteers to help with customer service or other tasks in the shop and if so, how do people apply? We have such a great team of men and women working as volunteers at the shop. They are the life stream of the business, and we couldn’t do it without them. But we always need more. If you would like to volunteer with Lifeline, please drop into the shop or call us on 6555 8172. We are in need of some truck drivers and offsiders to provide pick up and do deliveries. Just a warning though; it’s not great for your diet. Someone is always bringing in some delicious homemade treat for morning tea. We are all bonding over food and good times here at the shop. It’s a great place to socialise and reconnect with your community. What are the best contact details for anyone wanting more information? If you would like to contact us at Lifeline Forster, just call 6555 8172 or come and visit our lovely team at the store, 2/35 Breese Parade, Forster. Thanks Jemma.