In the city and the country, Fusion’s growing social enterprises are making an impact. The newly opened Fusion Café in St Marys and the fast growing Fusion Op Shop in Narrandera are showing how communities can come together to care for their own.
Fusion has a long history of developing social enterprises that not only generate financial support but also create opportunity for people to develop business and workplace skills and encourage the local community to invest directly into the lives of young people. From Op Shops to metal fabrication, from ropes courses to building companies, Fusion teams are continually looking for new ways to build solid businesses that give local people the chance to contribute meaningfully and productively.
Fusion Op Shop Narrandera. Building on this long history, the Fusion Riverina team took over management of what had
Pop-up version of the OpShop
been the Salvos store in Narrandera in May this year. The enterprise has gone from strength to strength since then! After only 6 months, the volunteer team now numbers over 25 people who are committed to creating a vibrant store that can build resource for Fusion and be a hub of community for the town. As Fusion Riverina Team Leader, Dave Polhill shares,
“We’ve really been wowed by the way the local community has embraced the new look Fusion Op Shop. Those who had been loyal customers are enjoying what we’re doing, the team is growing and we’re seeing the benefit of having a presence on the main street of the town at last.”
The team is finding creative ways of letting people know about the Op Shop too. In November, they created a Pop-Up outdoor Op Shop in the main street of Junee and September saw the Shop’s inaugural stall and fashion parade (seen above) as part of the Narrandera Show!
The Fusion Café Meanwhile in suburban Western Sydney, the Fusion team has worked hard to establish the new Fusion Café, directly opposite the St Marys train station. Officially opened by Deputy Mayor of Penrith City, Tricia Hitchens in October, the Café is already serving hundreds of coffees to local people each week.
“The location of the Café in the heart of St Marys CBD provides a great opportunity for wider engagement and connection with commuters, students, local business people and passers-by,” says Fusion Western Sydney Team Leader, James Wood. “The Cafe is already becoming what we always hoped for, a place for people to be welcomed whilst enjoying great coffee and high quality, healthy food options.”
