Social Ventures Australia is thrilled to announce the official opening by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Toowoomba’s Vanguard Laundry Services, an innovative social enterprise providing employment opportunities to people with a lived experience of mental illness.

Vanguard Laundry Services is the brainchild of social entrepreneur and founder Luke Terry, the executive director of local non-profit organisation Toowoomba Clubhouse. It was made possible by an upfront, long-term contract with St Vincent’s Private Hospital and more than $6 million in funding, finance and in-kind support, including $1 million from the Federal Government, significant commitments from AMP and the Westpac Foundation and support from local businesses and philanthropists.

SVA has worked closely with Mr Terry from the outset to help access the commercial skills and expertise to be contract ready, build and test the business model and raise the capital required to establish the business. This involved securing numerous cash donations, pro bono partnerships, and investments of more than $2.1 million from social impact financiers.

‘We chose SVA for its depth of understanding in innovative finance models and commitment to social impact,’ Mr Terry said.

In line with the vision of Toowoomba Clubhouse, the new commercial laundry will offer disadvantaged people a pathway from unemployment to a sustainable livelihood via a unique social enterprise employment model. As well as providing jobs for over 40 people who have been out of work for more than five years and are living with a mental illness, Vanguard offers career and vocational advice, on-the-job assistance and courses and training.

‘Our goal is to provide work experience, career assistance and support for people to transition through the business into long-term employment,’ Mr Terry.

Acknowledging that the laundry was not something a government alone could deliver, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked everyone who helped to get the project off the ground.

‘To all of the philanthropists in the community, you bring a personal commitment of love,’ he said.

‘Mental health is one of the greatest health challenges we can face … and the truth is we all have a vested interest in the mental health of our fellow citizens.

This is when we are closest to the very best we can be, and that is what the team are delivering here.’

Joining Mr Turnbull at the launch event, were SVA’s Executive Director of Impact Investing, Ian Learmonth and representatives from each of the key corporate partners, namely, Helen Liondos, AMP Foundation; Sinclair Taylor, Westpac Foundation; Simon Freeman, Paul Ramsay Foundation; Stephen Roche, Shine Lawyers; and local philanthropist Ian Knox, who kindly donated the funds to buy the land which is now home to this state-of-the art facility.

Speaking on behalf of SVA, CEO Rob Koczkar, said: ‘SVA will continue providing ongoing expertise as the business develops into one of Australia’s social enterprises. Vanguard is a high impact social enterprise and we look forward to continuing to support the initiative as it changes the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the Toowoomba community.’

Vanguard Laundry Services has laid the groundwork for a lasting shift in the way business and communities work together and is a shining example of social procurement success, demonstrating what it takes to overcome the challenges of leveraging social procurement while tapping into its tremendous potential for social impact.

To read more about how this innovative social enterprise exemplifies social procurement done well, don’t miss our in-depth SVA Quarterly article.