Beacon Laundry, a commercial laundry operating in Bangalow, has celebrated its first year of operation.
CEO Morag Roseby says as a, ‘jobs-focused social enterprise’, it has created more than 100 new jobs for people with complex barriers to work, ‘while capturing almost half (44 percent) of the local commercial laundry market in Byron Bay and its surrounds’.
She says, ‘Beacon shows what is possible when a business puts people first. We’re able to deliver a quality product and service while supporting people back into the workforce’.
‘Beacon’s workforce is intentionally unique. 80 per cent of the team face complex barriers to work. These include people with a disability; people experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges; First Nations people; people in recovery programs; and individuals who’ve had an experience with the criminal justice system.
‘At Beacon, we have an open employment policy – all you need is a willingness to work, and a willingness to move on one day.’
‘In the last 12 months, 26 people have transitioned into mainstream employment. Ideally, we hope to see people transitioning from Beacon anywhere from six to 12 months after joining us. However, for some it may take a little longer, and that’s ok too’, says Morag.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
