Waitara All Heart store seeks volunteers
Have you heard of All Heart Store Waitara and do you know where it is?
I guess the “Waitara” in the name kind of gives it away. It can be found right in the middle of town at 56 Mclean St.
The store, which opened in 2022, is a profit-for-purpose organisation run by Te Ara Hou Charitable Trust. Its tagline is: “We will do our best in ensuring the funds raised from the purchases you make are invested purposefully into serving our people and planet.”
All Heart New Zealand is a resource recovery service that targets corporate clients and prides itself on redirecting 90% of the unwanted items it handles away from landfill. So far it has diverted more than 5.8 million kilograms of items away from the dump.
With the aim of raising sustainability standards, All Heart NZ promotes a circular economy by repurposing unwanted these corporate resources.
It also supports partner organisations, holding accreditations and memberships with Akina Impact Suppliers, the Auckland Business Chamber, the Sustainable Business Council, the Sustainable Business Network, Volunteering Auckland and Zero Waste Network.
It offers a practical framework that lets any company, anywhere, divert anything from landfill. Its approach to corporate social responsibility is centred on empowering communities, reducing poverty and increasing access to education, while protecting the earth.
At the Waitara store, staff redirect office furniture, tech equipment, soft furnishings, stationery, hospitality goods, corporate uniforms, end-of-line products, cutlery, kitchenware and textiles.
Its impact partnerships include nationwide businesses such as Mitre 10, The Warehouse Group, AA Insurance, Air New Zealand, Bunnings, Fonterra, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Woolworths, Waste Management, New Zealand Post, and Make-a-wish New Zealand.
Deena Coster, the store manager, is supported by one other staff member and a couple of volunteers who pop in or can be called on.
It would be absolutely fabulous if there was someone interested in learning retail skills who could offer a couple of hours a week. This would suit someone keen to join a very supportive workplace, wanting to return to work, or interested in environmental sustainability.
Deena is very welcoming and always keen to have new people join the team, and there are a variety of skills to be learnt and used in the work that is being done in this space.
After my first visit to the All Heart Store and meeting Deena, I left having bought a new (to me) office chair that was high-end quality, very comfortable and reasonably priced. I also bought a couple of metal filing containers, a large tin of coffee, milo, and a large box of tea. It is definitely worth a visit – the stock is always changing, and a new delivery is expected next week. Check it out and tell Deena you read this article.
If you are interested to learn more about the work of All Heart Store Waitara, listen to Volly Voices on Access Radio 104.4FM on Sunday at 2pm (or catch the repeat on May 19, also at 2pm). Deena will chat about what is happening in the store and how it supports the local community.
After Monday, the show can also be listened to via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the Access Radio website.
If you are curious about any of the activities and/or you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Te Ara Hou – All Heart Waitara, please contact Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on (06) 7588 986, email admin@vnp.nz, or phone or text 022 571 4228 to take the next step.