New charity store for Novalis
BLUE HILLS – Novalis House have introduced a new charity shop to assist in their day-to-day operations.
Blue Hills-based Novalis House introduced its new charity shop which is open to the local community.
The organisation gives much-needed care to people with intellectual disabilities which looks after 35 people with 24 people living permanently.
General manager of the Novalis House Mary Owen said, “We aim to provide services, youth, and adults, with intellectual disabilities. We take people after school, once that environment is unable to take is no longer able to keep them… We want to provide a life where they are protected and where they can live as normal a life [as possible].”
Owen added that the need for support among adults with intellectual disabilities is growing with many of the adults staying at home while Novalis House is giving them an important social and work environment for them.
She explained that one of the main programmes the organisation runs is its Work Programme. “It creates a sense that we are part of a business and commercial environment. We have people who bring work onto the property such as packaging, small assembly work, mailing for a bank and gift presentation baskets for a car dealer.
“So there is this feeling of being meaningful by giving back to society.”
The organisation also has programmes to develop life skills that focuses on social interaction. The head social worker at Novalis House Lennon Chikumbirike explained that the organisation gives the residents the opportunity for independent learning so they can learn through their peers and caregivers.
The organisation recently opened a charity shop in order to fund day-to-day costs.
The shop began as an idea after noticing the sheer amount of goods donated to the home at their jumble sales. Owen said that residents would donate a large number of sellable items to the organisation and they realised the income potential of the shop.
“It has been incredibly successful. We are only open two days a week with volunteers helping us price the goods and organising the shop,” added Owen.
The organisation is consistently looking for donations and volunteers for the charity shop which is open on Monday and Friday from 9am to 3pm. For more information email manager.novalis@gmail.com.
Details: Mary Owen 082 802 9734.
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