After weeks sleeping rough on the streets, his new role seems to him to be straight from the plot of a fairytale.

Mr Nolly, 36, is among a few homeless people who have started working at one of the first dedicated bookstores to open in Parramatta in recent years.

"It's awesome. I never really picked up a book to read before, just street magazines and things like that, but I'm getting pretty knowledgable about who writes what now," Mr Nolly said.

The charity Community Medic opened Blue House Books at the front of a shelter to provide homeless people with skills and savings as well as a stable place to stay.

While they have a  roof over their heads at the house, they also have the chance to help out on the shop floor.

The more than 5000 books that line the shelves have been donated and the workers get to keep the money from those they sell.

Mr Nolly, who has struggled to find a job because of medical problems, says he now has a place to see his kids, and gather some work experience to add to his resume.

He has had to learn about books – he plans to read a non-fiction book about INXS next – data entry, and managing money.

He thinks of himself as a different man to the one who was too ashamed to ask for help when he found himself sleeping in a different place each night.

"It gives me the opportunity to work and have something to do instead of being in the streets, doing what I shouldn't be doing," Mr Nolly said. "Everyone here feels like family;it's the family I wish I had."

Community Medic director Simon Robinson, who sold off almost everything he owned to fund the charity, said he hopes the bookstore is only the first chapter in a line of social enterprises. A car wash has just been opened at the back of the shelter, and coffees will soon be served on its balcony.

"We thought let's work with these homeless people and find out what they love doing as a passion and try and facilitate a microbusiness around that passion, so while they stay here they can learn skills that will enable them to go out and start a business of their own," Mr Robinson said.

The name Blue House Books comes from the paint job on the exterior of the house, which has helped the shelter gain a reputation as place where people in need can go for help.

"It's bright blue; it stands out. Homeless people know they can come here for support. We've had people as far afield as Lithgow come here having heard about the blue house," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Nolly, who holds the record for most books sold, said he was looking forward to trying his hand at more new jobs.

"I'm going to be a bit of a barista too," he joked. "They asked me the other day if I knew what a latteccino was."

For more information about how to donate second-hand books to Blue House Books, click here.