Woolworths and St Giles have teamed up to launch a new ‘Mini Woolies’ store in Launceston, designed to enhance the learning experiences of young people with disabilities.
The Mini Woolies program provides a simulated supermarket environment where participants can practise retail and general life skills.
St Giles CEO Honni Pitt said the new space at their premises in Launceston is a great step forward in providing pathways and opportunities to those with disabilities in Tasmania’s north.
“This program will allow us to expand our School Leaver Employment Support offerings to participants” she said.
The store features baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, ticketing, signage and Woolworths-branded uniforms, as well as two registers.
Woolworths General Manager of Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies Sarah Corey said the launch of the 80th Mini Woolies location is a significant milestone.
“This new space will provide a unique learning experience for young people with disabilities and we’re excited to see how it will empower participants to build confidence and achieve their goals,” she said.
“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with St Giles and provide more opportunities for young people with disabilities across Tasmania.”
The site will serve as an accessible learning space for young people to develop skills that prepare them for the workforce and boost their confidence in navigating the community.
This includes developing interpersonal communication skills for retail customer service, practical abilities in literacy, numeracy and register operations and building confidence, independence and preparedness for the future.
In June last year, Tasmania’s first Mini Woolies was opened at Hobart’s Southern Support School.
