UK: Lamington Group, the operator of room2 Hometels and Lamington Apartments, has partnered with homeless charity SPEAR to support rough sleepers.
As part of the national effort to house those in need and ensure those experiencing homelessness have a comfortable and safe place to stay, Lamington Group has provided 35 self-contained apartments across its West London properties to SPEAR and its most vulnerable clients.
Lamington Group managing director Robert Godwin said: “Like a number of accommodation operators across the UK, the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic was rapid, significantly affecting our way of operating and we were left with a number of vacant apartments. At the same time we saw individuals within our community being severely impacted and so when the chance to support came along we were delighted to partner with SPEAR”.
The first stage of the partnership comes as part of a broader strategy, with the group also housing essential workers in the Southampton region and this partnership will see those community connections furthered.
To protect the most vulnerable people in society from coronavirus, the partnership came together through the efforts of Richmond and Wandsworth Councils to find accommodation for rough sleepers to self-isolate, using funding provided by the government as part of the pandemic response, and with Lamington providing a non-profit rate.
Godwin added: “We’re enormously proud to be able to partner with the charity SPEAR through such extraordinary times, and support some of the most vulnerable in society. As an established West London operator, the local community has always been a major part of who we are so it’s great we can align with another West London organisation and support those in need in getting their lives back on track as we also look to do so ourselves as an industry. We look forward to continuing to see this partnership thrive and develop”.
Lisa Moodle, integrated outreach manager at SPEAR, said: “SPEAR, in conjunction with Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, were delighted when Lamington Group agreed to accommodate some of our rough sleepers during the COVID crisis. This has been a particularly difficult time for all parties involved, and SPEAR have been impressed with the level of not just professionalism, but the genuine care and respect the Lamington staff have shown our clients since they have been accommodated. Not only have the Lamington Group been incredibly supportive of our clientele, and understanding of some of the challenges that affect rough sleepers, but we are thrilled that they are also looking to continue the partnership in a number of different manners. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Lamington Group, and the individual staff members working there who have been amazing. I’m looking forward to a strong and lasting partnership into the future.”
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