Our Fraser Street Store Manager
Andrea has been the Waipuna Hospice Fraser Street Store Manager for four years. In what is often a busy and diverse role, Andrea has many reasons to love her role.
“It’s hard to narrow down why I enjoy my work as there are so many rewarding aspects. The diversity amongst the community that we serve, the customers, our incredible volunteers, the amazing donations that we receive, the list goes on.”
“It’s also a fun place to work, especially as I get to work with the most amazing team of people, who have become whānau whānau. I love hearing their stories and their achievements in life; they are all so unique and inspiring.”
All charity shops have their own uniqueness, but Andrea believes Waipuna Hospice offers something special to the community.
“What makes Waipuna Hospice shops unique is not only the incredible impact our donors, shoppers, and volunteers have on the community, but it’s also our ability to rotate stock between shops. Because we have six shops in the Bay of Plenty we have quite a market share which puts us on the map for locals and out of town visitors alike.”
Our charity shops exist to turn second-hand goods into first-class palliative care in our community. Something that isn’t possible without our invaluable volunteers explains Andrea.
“The impact our volunteers have on our shops is infinite and so hard to put into words. Each volunteer brings with them a set of skills that are varied and diverse. This enables the organisation to have fewer overheads and to put more money into the caring of patients, which is our whole reason for being.”
In Andrea’s free time she enjoys ziplining.
Andrea (green dress) and our Fraser St volunteers at the Superhero Walk 2021.
In return for their vital help, our volunteers get to have fun, enjoy a sense of belonging, regain a sense of purpose that may be lost, and they get to do something very worthwhile for the community.
“If there was one thing that I wish our community knew about our shops it’s that we are constantly short of good quality donations and volunteering will give you so much more than you could ever expect,” says Andrea. “Volunteering truly is an amazing opportunity, and we have roles to suit almost everyone.”
Help us turn second-hand goods into first-class care by volunteering today.
We would like to thank Andrea for sharing her story with us.