Just a few months ago, we opened our completely transformed communal lounge which has been a huge hit with our residents and a resounding success. We also opened a brand-new kitchen and IT suite for our residents to use. To add to the transformation of our building and facilities, we’re now delighted to have opened a new laundry facility!

We pride ourselves on listening to and responding to the needs of our residents as they rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness. We want to ensure that each resident feels that their voice is heard, and that their input and suggestions are taken on-board. Through feedback in meetings with their keyworkers as well as suggestions in our monthly Sounding Board meetings with staff and residents, it became clear that what was really required were facilities for residents to wash their belongings.

Thanks to the generous support we received from Bernard Sunley Foundation, The Albert Hunt Trust and Fine & Country Foundation, and the work carried out by Chillerbox, we were delighted to be able to open a state-of-the-art laundry equipped with four pre-loaded washing machines and four dryers.

Thankfully, gone are the days of residents having to request the use of friends or family’s washing machines which can cause embarrassment, or having to pay for expensive laundrettes. What may seem like a small inconvenience to many with their own facilities has been such a great addition to what we are able to provide.

To our residents, having their own facilities offers them another opportunity for independence and self-reliance. This is, after all, always our ultimate goal; to help people back on their feet and utilising the skills gained during their stay with us. Moreover, it helps them to build confidence in themselves that they can sustain their independence long after settling into their own new home.

John Lowery, Director of Frontline Services at Caritas Anchor House, said, “We consulted residents last year and asked for their views for improving our service. Their top two priorities were kitchen and laundry facilities. Earlier 2019 we opened the new kitchen and an IT suite, and we’re really pleased that the laundry was opened just before Christmas too. These new facilities will contribute towards residents being able to improve their independent living skills – our ultimate aim for all of our residents.”