Focus on a Volunteer: Ellena Flikier
As a cooperative, Lyttleton Stores is run for the community, by the community, and volunteering at the Stores is a great way to get involved! There are a wide range of great volunteer opportunities available and we’re always happy to work with you to find the job that suits you best! Options range from helping in our store, working in the garden, to assisting with workshops. As well as helping Lyttleton Stores to flourish, volunteers also receive a 20% discount on grocery items for each 2hr shift.
Today, we’re focusing on Ellena Flikier, one of our volunteering superstars, who can most often be found hard at work in our gardens.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m Ellena - I moved to the Blue Mountains in December last year & started volunteering at Lyttleton’s a couple months ago.
I've lived in Sydney all my life, working in Film & TV and more recently in Interior Design. I made the move to the mountains for a change of pace & careers (again)!
I’m currently doing a Somatic Stretch teacher training certification & am already enjoying this next chapter in my life.
What do you most enjoy about volunteering at Lyttleton?
Connecting with the people & getting active as a consequence of making progress in the garden!
It’s a highlight of my week. I enjoy great conversations with everyone who works & volunteers at Lyttleton’s, I’m learning about cool musician’s that I may not have discovered just by hearing everyone’s different music choices being played in the shop. I’m asked to contribute my idea’s & skills with all the exciting changes that are happening at Lyttleton’s at the moment, so I’ve really felt valued, which has given me a sense of belonging in this new community.
What do the Blue Mountains mean to you?
Being immersed in nature, surrounded by so many trees & clean air is such a welcome change to my peace of mind.
It has allowed me to slow down & tune in to what is important & work towards a more sustainable future.
It's a bonus that I’m still so close to friends & family in Sydney & we’ve even reconnected with long lost family & friends here too!
I’d also like to connect with the Gundungurra & Dharug elders & community of the Blue Mountains. Indigenous culture has a lot to teach us about many things, including the meaning of a place & how we too can contribute to being custodians of this beautiful land.
Why is volunteering important to you?
Being part of a group of like-minded people all working towards a common goal that is for the good of all, is so rewarding.
To be able to contribute my time & skills towards projects & goals that benefit the community & learn useful skills from others along the way is priceless!
