Zahida’s story

After retiring from a long and successful career as a chartered accountant, Zahida knew she wanted to volunteer but not sure what she wanted to do.

“I wanted to volunteer, but not in one of the stores,” she says. “I was looking for something practical, something with my hands.”

With a lifelong passion for DIY and creative projects, Zahida found her niche in our upcycling studio in King’s Grove where she volunteers regularly. There, she puts her skills to use restoring old furniture, repairing donated items, and adding a touch of creativity through decoupage — a new skill she’s recently honed.

“I’ve always loved working with my hands,” she says. “Fixing things, making something beautiful out of something tired — it’s incredibly satisfying.”

Though her professional life was filled with spreadsheets and strategy, retirement gave Zahida the freedom to pursue something she truly enjoys: crafting, problem-solving, and staying active in a way that feels meaningful — and fun.

“It feels good to be doing something useful” she says.

From finance to furniture, Zahida has found a new rhythm in retirement — one that’s hands-on, heart-first, and far from a balance sheet.