After a long break from work, Carmel Thompson knew she needed a way to reconnect, not just with a job, but with her community and herself.
“I just wanted to get out in amongst the community and help people, basically,” she said, reflecting on what first drew her to volunteer at The Meeting Place.
Her volunteering soon became a weekly highlight.
“I was generally there on Thursdays, looking after customers when they came in, helping them find what they were looking for, just being friendly and caring towards them, and balancing up at the end of the day.”
Whether it was a busy morning with regulars or a themed event, Carmel found joy in teamwork.
“Mainly when we had big, big functions like Christmas and Easter celebrations, we got to be more hands-on and just have a lot of fun. We’d dress up, help people, and it was always a great day.”
But volunteering brought more than good memories. It helped Carmel rediscover her confidence.
“Not having been in the workforce for a long time, I was not in a position where I felt comfortable applying for any jobs,” she admitted.
“So doing the three years of volunteering certainly built up my confidence to the point where I thought I was ready to take the next step.”
She credits the experience for building practical skills, especially dealing with people face to face.
“The struggle is very real for people who can’t afford to go to the major supermarkets,” she said.
“We could provide a place where they could come and get affordable groceries for their families and get help and assistance from Home in Place.”
When a friend told her about a job opening, Carmel felt ready to give it a go.
“I decided to apply for the position, and that was it,” she said.
The process wasn’t without its hurdles.
“I didn’t have a resume, so I had to get help with that. But once I started, it was easier than I expected.”
Looking back on her time volunteering, Carmel’s advice to others is clear and direct.
“Just do it. Give it all you’ve got. It gets you out of the house, gets you out helping the community. So give it a shot.”
When asked about her time at The Meeting Place, Carmel credited the people around her for much of her growth.
“Working with Jenene and the others, you know, she was very good to me always and encouraging and helpful,” she said.
She added that even as she steps into paid work, she doesn’t want to lose that connection.
“I’ll definitely stay in touch with The Meeting Place team,” she said.
