Rochelle Iremonger just wants to help people and that has led to her latest role at the helm of Richmond charity Helping Families Nelson.
The charity was founded six years ago by Kristy Rowe who wanted to provide essentials for free to people who could not afford to clothe their family. While she remains on the board of the charity, she felt the time was right for a change.
“It’s still my baby – that’s not going to change,” she says.
For the charity, Kristy says it will be business as usual and she will still be involved at board level.
For Rochelle, it’s a continuation of a lifetime helping others, which began as a 16-year-old raising her seven-year-old brother and later fostering her nephew and nieces alongside her own family. For six years she worked for the Salvation Army Family Store in Richmond where she became co-manager, and now she will be overseeing about 20 volunteers for the Lower Queen Street charity that tries to fill a growing need in the community.
“I just love helping people – it makes me happy.”
It’s a 20-hour-a-week paid job as operations coordinator to run the charity and she reckons that if you spend half your life working, you’re best to do something you are passionate about.
“I realise we’re all here for a reason and I think I’m here for children – that’s where my passion comes from to help people. You have to have crazy people like me for people out there in need.”
She has only been in the job a short time, but says she is already blown away by the generosity of businesses helping the community, including The Warehouse donating winter pyjamas for children and Shoe Clinic for footwear.
Clothes and goods at the charity are free and the process is managed by getting people to fill out a form outlining their family needs and then offering them items to fit those needs.
“Lots of people don’t have enough to even clothe their family and have food. The cost of living is really affecting the community out there and they can come to a place that’s welcoming and will help them in any way they can.”
Organisations also make requests for individuals and Helping Families Nelson makes up parcels for those people.
Rochelle says the charity can’t function without fundraising, so that will also be a big part of her role. The centre takes orders for the Hapori fruit and vegetable boxes and she says they will try and build that, as a small percentage goes to the charity. It also has its book fair coming up on September 7 and 8 which will be held in the Hope Hall this year.
