Business owner gets out of soap bubble to engage with Nelson’s caring community
Until a couple of years ago, Jody McLeod was largely unaware of the issues bubbling away under Nelson’s surface.
“I’m in my little soap bubble,” said the owner of Global Soap on Nile St. “I go to work, I go to the beach to walk my dog, I don’t see what’s going on.”
That changed when Brian Kendrick from the Nelson Tasman Methodist Parish dropped by to ask if McLeod would help out with an initiative to help Nelson’s vulnerable.
Kendrick told her he was making toiletry packs for Nelson’s homeless community, and asked if she would be willing to donate soap.
This tapped her into Nelson’s community of givers: a chain of people looking out for our most vulnerable, she said.
Recently, McLeod decided it was time to acknowledge these unsung workers.
“I thought it would be nice to get people in to say thanks, and to inspire other individuals to get involved.”
The result was a celebration at the soap factory and shop last week, celebrating the people who care for Nelson’s vulnerable.
The small space filled with people from organisations including Aroha in the Park, Housing First, Victory Community Centre, the Male Room, Women’s Refuge, Loaves and Fishes, New Zealand Red Cross, and Nelson MP Rachel Boyack.
Guest speakers spoke of the work they were doing, and the need that is evident in Nelson.
“It was a good turn out with a wonderful group of people,” McLeod said. “Hearing the stories of people in our community was wonderful.”
McLeod is happy to be part of a group of people who care, she said.
“I’m a very small part, but it’s all about people doing little pieces, and collectively we can make a difference.”
Source: Stuff,
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