After seeing the magic unfold in Bangalow, Bedford Group – South Australia’s largest employer of people with a disability – saw an opportunity to bring the goodness of Beacon to Adelaide.
Together with White Box Enterprises (our parent company), Bedford is now transitioning the existing commercial laundry into an open employment social enterprise under the Beacon Laundry banner, and the team at Beacon couldn’t be happier.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Bedford to bring Beacon Laundry to South Australia,” said White Box Enterprises CEO and founder of Beacon Laundry, Luke Terry.
“Bedford had recently acquired a commercial laundry. They saw what we were doing in Bangalow and approached us with the opportunity. It’s a great outcome for Beacon and for the local community in southwest Adelaide.” said Luke.
Like Beacon, Bedford believes employment has the power to change lives. Over the next three years Beacon Adelaide aims to create an additional 50 jobs through its expansion plans for people who face barriers to employment.
According to Bedford CEO, Myron Mann, “We’re excited to be working with White Box. It’s another example of Bedford pushing itself to look for new business models and partnerships to offer different pathways into open employment,” said Myron.
“This partnership is so much more than simply acquiring a new brand for the laundry, it’s a complete transformation of the laundry into a best practice, jobs-focused social enterprise.” said Myron.
Bangalow 2479 – where it all began.
The first Beacon Laundry was officially opened in Bangalow, 15 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay in Northern NSW by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in April this year. It is the fourth jobs-focused social enterprise incubated by White Box, and is thriving.
“Our success is largely attributed to the local Northern Rivers community. They have backed us from the very beginning,” said Luke. “In less than six months we’ve created 70 jobs for people experiencing barriers to work and have over 30 new customers on our books.”
“Working with Bedford to bring the goodness of Beacon to Adelaide is something we’re all really excited about. We’d love to see a Beacon in every community,” said Luke.
