New op shop open for business

A NEW opportunity shop in Eaglehawk has opened by local non-profit NDIS provider Windarring. 

Ability Blooms Opportunity Store employs people with disabilities and was officially opened last Monday. 

Chief executive office at Windarring, Mike Amor, said across the range of Ability Blooms enterprises in Greater Bendigo, including the op shop, recycling facility, gardening and business services, employees earn at least minimum wage. 

“We’re all about giving real employment to people with disabilities,” he said.  

“It’s about developing their skills, their sense of dignity. They’ve got a meaningful contribution they can make.  

“They’re real jobs, they do real work, they participate in the running of the place. We listen to their ideas; they listen to our ideas. It’s a good outcome for people. 

“When you’ve got real work, a whole lot of other opportunities open themselves up. Every dollar we make goes back into supporting our employees.” 

Windarring business enterprise manager Shae Desmond said the new op shop is an integration of two former employment sites in the area, brought together through the idea to provide better employment outcomes. 

“We’ve got all the same employees, plus more,” she said. “The supports that are provided are very focused on the client’s goals and developing their skills. 

“We offer training, we’ve partnered with Access Skills Training. That might be [for] work skills or money matters.  

“Focusing on different sort of development that the clients are interested in, and those who are interested in open employment can transition into [that] if they’d like to.” 

Ability Blooms Opportunity Store is at 47 Caldwells Road in Eaglehawk and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.