Mary Seacole Housing Association is devoted to providing top-tier services and support, with a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement. Through collaborative efforts with clients, partners, and the community, we co-create innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of those facing homelessness. As a BAME led Organisation we believe a diverse team is good for employees’ personal development. They learn from the different backgrounds and skills of their counterparts, making them better communicators and more socially aware individuals. They are also better equipped to deal with the changing needs of our communities. We have embraced this ethos at Mary Seacole and are proud that our staff team, Senior Management, and Committee come from a range of diverse backgrounds.
We passionately believe in offering everyone the opportunity to lead a secure, fulfilling, and independent life. Our commitment extends to fostering a safe and inclusive environment that promotes personal growth, empowerment, and inspiration. Together, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those we support and the broader community.
Impact Report
“Now more than ever, it’s essential to ensure that services for people most affected are available to our communities. In response to the rise in the cost of living and people experiencing homelessness, the Association launched several new initiatives in 2023.
As our communities are changing, the Association has responded to these needs in a planned and progressive way in Bedfordshire. We want to thank our clients, board members, staff, and other stakeholders for their invaluable contribution to the Association. “
We are proud to provide a number of community initiatives and projects that aim to enhance the lives of those we support and the wider community. We understand that meaningful activity is fundamental to the health and well-being of the individual accessing care and support. Our initiatives are designed to help improve physical fitness, mood, combat depression, anxiety and combat loneliness. This is why we organise various activities at Mary Seacole Housing, which help residents gain new skills, keep them active, provide a positive and safe environment to build confidence and equip them with the skills to make positive life choices.
At Mary Seacole Housing, we believe that actively promoting participation in service delivery with people using our services creates a sense of partnership and benefits everyone – staff, volunteers and clients. We understand that people who have a vested interest, including those who use our services or who have used them in the past, have a vast amount of knowledge about what is needed. Therefore, we want to involve the staff, volunteers, and service users whenever decisions that affect them are made. We believe that opinions should be considered in anything that affects individuals directly. However, We want more than just service user involvement but ongoing participation across a menu of opportunities.
At Mary Seacole Housing, we believe that actively promoting participation in service delivery with people using our services creates a sense of partnership and benefits everyone – staff, volunteers and clients. We understand that people who have a vested interest, including those who use our services or who have used them in the past, have a vast amount of knowledge about what is needed. Therefore, we want to involve the staff, volunteers, and service users whenever decisions that affect them are made. We believe that opinions should be considered in anything that affects individuals directly. However, We want more than just service user involvement but ongoing participation across a menu of opportunities.
These values are at the heart of everything we do at Mary Seacole Housing Association. We believe by living and embodying these values, we can create a positive and impactful organisation committed to helping people rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with our clients, staff, and stakeholders. We strive to be a reliable and trustworthy partner that consistently delivers on our promises.
We celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We believe that everyone should have equal access to our services and that every individual has something valuable to contribute.
We believe in treating everyone with fairness and equity. We strive to create a level playing field for all and ensure everyone has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
We embrace empathy as a cornerstone of our company culture. We actively seek to understand and share the feelings of our clients, colleagues, and partners, fostering a compassionate and inclusive environment
Charity Number 1160265
The Friends of Mary Seacole (Charity Number 1160265) were founded to support the clients of Mary Seacole Housing Association and various other local charities & organisations that work towards relieving hardship and distress. They aim to organise fundraising events and activities throughout the year that will provide opportunities to network and ultimately raise money for the Association. The Friends also support various fetes, festivals, and functions in Luton throughout the year with our very own tea tent, run by Mary Seacole female clients, allowing them to gain great work experience. Why not join The Friends of Mary Seacole and help us to change lives forever?
Desline Stewart MBE is of Jamaican descent and was a part of the Windrush group who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973. Desline Stewart MBE was first elected to be a councillor of the Leagrave ward in Luton in 1983. She later became the town’s first Black female Mayor in 1985, and since then has been involved with many charitable organisations. Because of her generosity, Desline Stewart MBE also went on to receive Her Majesty’s MBE Award for her community work.
The preliminary work for Mary Seacole Housing Association began in the 1980s, in Councilor Desline Stewart’s kitchen in response to the direct pleas of young people who were running away from home. Mary Seacole was chosen as the name for the trust by Councilor Stewart because she was a strong advocate of Seacole’s humanitarian work and altruism.
Nurse Dessie was designed as a fun learning tool, to engage young people when teaching heritage. The role of Nurse Dessie is to provide an engaging learning experience, whilst raising awareness of Mary Seacole and the History of Mary Seacole Housing Associations.
