Woolworths Australia has partnered with our parent company, Fighting Chance to open our very own Mini Woolies at Plus, in Frenchs Forest. This innovative learning space will empower individuals with disability from Jigsaw as well as our sister enterprise, Plus, to build essential community participation skills while serving as a hands-on retail training environment for those aspiring to enter the workforce.
The Mini Woolies mimics the operations of a Woolworths supermarket, featuring fresh food baskets, grocery shelving, ticketing, signage, and Woolworths-branded uniforms. This immersive setup provides an engaging educational experience where participants can practise using registers to scan grocery items and process sales.
Laura O’Reilly, Co-Founder and Director of Fighting Chance, said, “At Fighting Chance, we believe that with the right support, everyone can develop their skills and make a contribution.
“A Mini Woolies will empower people with a disability to build their community participation and employment skills, supporting their increased social and economic inclusion.”
Von Ingram, Managing Director of W Living, said ,“We’re proud to launch a Mini Woolies with Fighting Chance on the Northern Beaches, providing a space for participants to develop new skills that will equip them with confidence and knowledge of retail operations.
For Jigsaw participants, this initiative will be invaluable in honing customer service and communication skills and understanding how retail stores operate. Trainees will actively engage in every facet of running the Mini Woolies, from ticketing to stocking shelves to customer service.
Not only will the Mini Woolies create empowering opportunities for Jigsaw and Plus participants to develop valuable skills in a retail environment, but it will also foster connections between the two groups. This collaborative space will enhance their social skills and build a strong sense of community.
The Mini Woolies at Fighting Chance adds to a network of over 75 locations across Australia and New Zealand that Woolworths has opened since the program’s inception in 2018.
A special thank you to Woolies, Fujitsu, Jamf and ForestvilleRSL for supporting this innovative project. Together, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for growth and inclusion!