12/06/2026
Teachers Only Day = Learning Beyond the Classroom
When school closed for a Teachers Only Day, Isabelle, daughter of Franklin Hospice CEO Lydia Charteris, spent the day volunteering alongside her mum at the Franklin Hospice Shop.
As anyone who works in the for-purpose sector knows, leadership often means wearing many hats. One minute Lydia was in meetings, the next she was helping in the op shop – and Isabelle got a firsthand look at what it takes to run a community organisation.
Throughout the day, Isabelle learned some valuable lessons that don’t always come from a classroom:
✨ Sustainability and the importance of giving pre-loved items a second life
✨ How fundraising works and how every sale helps support hospice care in our community
✨ Marketing and merchandising – creating displays that attract customers
✨ Money handling and the value of hard work
✨ Building confidence and social skills through conversations with customers and volunteers
Most importantly, she learned what it means to give back and be part of a community that cares for others.
Isabelle had an amazing few hours volunteering alongside her mum and left with a new appreciation for the work of our volunteers and the impact our shop has on hospice services across Franklin.
A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer team for making her feel so welcome.
We’re always looking for volunteers, young and old, to join our team. It’s a great cause, a lot of fun, and a wonderful way to connect with your community while making a real difference.
If you’d like to volunteer with Franklin Hospice, we’d love to hear from you.
