By Mara Pattison-Sowden
JENNY Walsh has been working in Healesville’s temporary gift shop for the past two months.
Although the work is voluntary, Ms Walsh is using the experience to learn a new trade and gain confidence in the workplace.
Ms Walsh suffers from a mild obsessive-compulsive disorder, which over the years and with the help of services like EACH community health, she has learned to manage.
Ms Walsh said she can be slower at jobs because she is pedantic in checking what she is doing, which means she is taking the care to do a good job.
“I’ve learnt how to put a display together and select the things that would look lovely, and I can be pleased with the final result,” she said.
“This place is always changing, and I’m learning about the products – the history of crockery and stories behind first-edition novels.”
It is a huge step for Ms Walsh to work in a shop, and the confidence she has gained is obvious with the gentle nature she uses to greet customers.
“I’m enthusiastic because I enjoy it immensely,” she said.
“I like people contact and it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about sales.”
Healesville and District Community Enterprise Ltd worked with EACH to set up the gift shop in the future premises of Healesville’s community bank.
HDCE member Gary Salter said the gift shop was benefiting the community and volunteers like Ms Walsh.
Mr Salter said the shop sells products made by, and on behalf of EACH clients, with the proceeds going back into the community, while a small commission will offset the rent of the building.
In return, Mr Salter and another HDCE member, Shane Sawyer, are volunteering their time to teach Ms Walsh and fellow EACH clients the retail trade. Volunteers are an important part of the community and last week was National Volunteer Week. Visitors can find the gift shop in the main street until September.
