Cape Town - Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (Noah) has officially brought its retail outlet “Selling Seconds Shop” to Athlone.
What makes the store so unique is that it provides senior residents staffing the store with the opportunity to earn their own income, supplementing their Sassa grants and gaining a sense of independence through the social enterprise model.
The Athlone Selling Seconds Shop officially opened its doors on July 18, operating at 26 Voel Street, Athlone.
The cashless store will be trading from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 3pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
Noah sustainability leader Nicky Jacobs said: “Due to the amazing success of our two existing Selling Seconds outlets in Woodstock and Khayelitsha, we have opened our third store in Voel Street, Athlone.”
The two Selling Seconds stores are located in Regent Road in Woodstock and Site B in Khayelitsha.
“This initiative is another brilliant example of the fulfilment of our sustainability vision to provide job opportunities for our elders and create an additional revenue stream.”
The opening of the Athlone branch follows the launch of a Noah Athlone Centre on April 9, and is based at Caritas Cape Town, Lawrence Road.
Established in 1981, Noah supports over 700 older persons, providing a safe residence at its communal homes, holistic care and wellness, and income generation through a number of social enterprises.
Currently, Noah provides 12 communal homes, two primary health-care clinics, psycho-social support through three community centres, and social enterprises for income generation.
The organisation is also looking to acquire a second residential home in Athlone to increase affordable accommodation for pensioners in the area.
Seven communal homes are situated in Woodstock, and one each in Athlone, Maitland, Elsies River, Atlantis, and Idas Valley.
Noah offers affordable and accessible primary health-care services with Noah clinics situated in Khayelitsha and Woodstock, with another soon to be added in Athlone.
Its Community-Based Care programme (CBC) assists less independent senior residents to remain in their homes while they receive a basket of personal and domestic services provided in the comfort of their own home and based on their requirements.
Noah social enterprise developments projects lead Anton Peters said Noah is a community-based project, supporting the elderly focused around home, health and happiness.
“We have recently opened a Noah Community Centre (which will include a clinic) in Lawrence Road, Athlone. The strategy is to have a Selling Seconds store in each community centre location. We were very fortunate to find the Voel Street premises at the perfect time.”
Products that are sold are donated by major retailers as well as the public and sales from the outlets directly supports the organisation as well as the seniors under its employ.
To donate gently used clothing and household items contact tani@noah. org.za or call 021 447 6334. For more information, visit www.noah.org.za
Cape Argus