Resco (London) LTD is a London-based business which aims to decrease homelessness and poverty in the city.
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History
Resco started in 2010 as a homeless drop-in. The founder, Max Manners, realised that social tenancies were unsustainable because the tenants didn’t feel at home. In addition, Manners realised that without a secure place to call home, employability was near impossible. This led to the creation of what was then called the Chiswick Furniture Centre, a social impact business that seeks to support sustainable tenancies, helping turn social housing into homes, whilst running a 16-week employability programme, the Resco Programme, within the business. The programme offers work experience, training and mentoring. In 2015 it was agreed that the Chiswick Furniture Centre was no longer an applicable name, and it was renamed as Resco Living.
Resco Living
Resco Living provides furniture, appliances and other products and services to social housing providers such as local authorities, housing associations and other charities. It also runs a small reuse furniture retail store in Hounslow, West London.
Resco Programme
Resco Living operates a 16-week employability programme, the Resco Programme, to help the long-term unemployed find work. The 16-week course includes 3 days of work experience each week, with training and mentoring included. Within one year, 65% of Resco's graduates are able to sustain full or part-time employment.
Kettle and Crust
In April 2015, Resco also launched a café called the Kettle and Crust which also hosts the Resco Programme. In May 2015 it won the Hammersmith London award for Best Café.