People can now buy quality, new and pre-loved goods whilst also helping to fund local suicide prevention services from Lifeline’s new shop in East Maitland.
The shop will sell fashion, accessories, shoes, home decor, electrical goods, and books. Proceeds from Lifeline’s shops fund its local suicide prevention and support services.
Shop manager, Callie Kelsey, has been busily getting the new store ready. The Aberglasslyn resident has more than 20 years’ experience in retail and visual merchandising as well as experience in graphic design and property styling. She has been Lifeline’s Toronto shop manager since mid-last year.
Callie describes op shopping as pure joy.
“We have some beautiful homeware and fashion pieces which people can use to create a great look for themselves or their home.”
“And you don’t pay a lot for them, which is great because we are all watching our budgets.”
“I love using my skills and experience to give shoppers free advice on styling themselves and their home,” Callie said.
She said she enjoyed working for a large department store, in optical dispensing and in her own side businesses but it was time for a change.
“Managing a Lifeline shop brings all my skills together and now I get to work in my local community for my community.”
“I enjoy spending my days doing something that benefits people, giving something back. Lifeline relies on shop funds to help train, supervise, and support our local 13 11 14 crisis line supporters, provide our free face to face counselling services, as well as other community suicide prevention programs.”
“I also get to work with great volunteers who keep our shops running and customers happy,” Callie explained.
She said with COVID-19 impacting Lifeline’s shop revenues and fundraising events, this new shop will hopefully generate some funds to help Lifeline meet the record demand for its services and support.
The new shop is Lifeline’s second in Maitland and takes its total number of shops in the Hunter to nine. As well as East Maitland and High Street Maitland, it also has shops in Cardiff, Hamilton North, Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace, Singleton, Toronto, and Wallsend.
The shop is located at 4a Garnett Road, East Maitland across from the Stockland Centre and next to Service NSW. It is open Monday to Friday 9am – 5am and Saturday 9am – 4pm.
People wishing to donate goods or to volunteer at the shop should drop into the shop or phone 1300 152 854.
For 24-hour crisis support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
IMAGE | Lifeline’s East Maitland, Shop Manager, Callie Kelsey.
