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Canberra Today 20°/24° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Grocer offers a new start

LIBBY ROLFE visits a supermarket in Spence that’s helping people with mental health issues by offering training, a job and an improved quality of life.

HALF the staff at the Spence Friendly Grocer are employed through a program run in partnership with Nexus Human Services, which is proving to be beneficial for the business as well as the employees.

Supermarket owner Vince Torcasio says while the program ensures cost savings for the business, the main attraction is the opportunity to help people.

“It’s the ability to give something back to the community and make a difference,” Vince says.

CEO of Nexus Human Services, a disability employment support provider, Lisa McPherson-Sturt said 12 people have been employed and trained at the supermarket through the program since it started about 12 months ago.

“An important factor in successful employment for people living with mental illness is a supportive employer, especially in relation to flexible working arrangements,” Lisa says.

Employee Tegan had been out of work for four months until Centrelink put her in touch with Nexus. She has now been working at the supermarket for a year and says she enjoys many parts of her work especially the friendly faces and regular customers.

“I get to do a bit of everything here,” Tegan says. “I like working in the deli and the boss is nice. I feel welcome here.”

Lisa says one of the most important things about the program is that it gives people the confidence to enter the workforce. She says some of the clients who have started working at the supermarket have gone on to work in lower-level public service jobs, roles in administration and retail.

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Ian Meikle, editor

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