25 September 2020

GG's Flowers needs a new home to blossom and grow

| Michael Weaver
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GG’s Flowers are looking for a new home for their social enterprise. Photo: Michael Weaver.

GG’s Flowers – the social enterprise that helps more than 30 people with a disability find meaningful employment – has put out a call to help find a new forever home.

The Wijewickrema family of six is the enthusiastic face of GG’s Flowers, but the family is looking for a new home to relocate their beloved social enterprise beyond its humble beginnings in the family’s bathroom and garden shed.

Since then, the business has blossomed through the inspiration of the business, 21-year-old Gayana, who has Down Syndrome and mum Geetha, known as Mumma G.

One of Gayana’s three sisters, Nip, said they are hoping to buy or rent a new home for their extended family, but it has proven difficult given their requirements.

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“We need quite a big space because we have a lot of people here, and the rental market is really difficult at the moment. We never thought it would be this difficult to find something,” Nip told Region Media.

“We were hoping to move GG’s into a cosy home but haven’t been able to find a lucky landlord that will have our special bunch.”

GG’s Flowers provides flower arrangements, hampers and is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider.

Nip was also one of the 10 recipients of a Westpac Social Change Fellowship in 2019, that recognised her as an inspirational individual committed to creating positive change in Australia.

Gayana and Nip Wijewickrema

Gayana and Nip Wijewickrema at their home for GG Flowers. Photo: Michael Weaver.

With the short settlement on their current premises, they need to move within the next two weeks.

“Ideally, we are looking for a house with a double garage or commercial premises to run our florist, hamper and NDIS provider operations,” Nip said.

“We’d like to find a place in the inner south area, with a ground-level garage or commercial space for somewhere to load and unload our flowers.

“We also need somewhere to plug our portable cool room and lots of free, on-street parking.”

Nip said they are willing to move somewhere temporarily until they can find a more suitable place, but they definitely need somewhere that can house their family and the business.

The family of six “promise we’re amazing tenants and you’ll be helping the GG’s story to continue to change lives”, Nip said.

“We don’t do the usual NDIS kind of stuff with our participants and their carers. They go out and help deliver flowers and get an award wage from what they do.

“Our staff are such loyal and amazing people. They love their work and take a lot of pride in what they do.

“We’ve just taken a normal business and made sure we provide employment with purpose and meaning, which has been really crucial during the pandemic because we’ve been busier than ever,” she said.

If you are a landlord, or someone who can help, email Nip at info@ggsflowers.com.au or contact them via the GG’s Flowers Facebook page or website.

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