IT has all the ingredients for guilt free shopping - buying locally, recycled and to support others in need.
Anti domestic violence charity Got Your Back Sista has expanded into the retail sphere with the opening of its new op shop, Village People, on Maitland Road in Islington.
Charity founder and chief executive Melissa Histon said the project had been in the pipeline for about a year, as a way to engage the community further, support abuse survivors and as another revenue stream.
"The volunteers want to support the women we help," she said.
"Some are good samaritans, some are survivors of domestic violence who are now in a really good place.
"We're also intending to put together a training program for our ladies so they can come in, get some work experience in the shop in retail and develop a skill base for paid employment."
The shop sells preloved fashion and homewares at affordable prices, with all proceeds going to the charity's work with women who have left domestic violence.
"People won't just be buying something for themselves or someone else, they will be supporting other women going through the hardest time of their lives," she said. "There's a flow on effect."
The charity started four years ago to help provide furniture and household items to women who were fleeing abuse. It moved in 2018 into its Tighes Hill headquarters, which is its base for offering self defence classes, meditation, a TAFE course, a relationships program and a drop in service with a counsellor.
"Every time we start something new I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff and it's a leap of faith... but every time the goodness of humanity shows itself."
