Capri by Fraser, Brisbane is an award-winning 4.5-star hotel in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.

In 2019, they were the first major hotel to sign with Vanguard Laundry, a not-for-profit organisation transforming the lives of people who have a lived experience of disadvantage, struggling to secure employment.

Since their partnership began in 2019, Vanguard Laundry has continued to provide Capri by Fraser Brisbane with the highest-quality linen service.

The partnership with Vanguard Laundry came about as part of the hotel’s Corporate Social Responsibility business model and Responsible Sourcing Policy.

Speaking on behalf of Capri by Fraser, Brisbane, Hotel Manager Luke Mitchell says that now more than ever, there is a growing importance for businesses to increase their focus on responsible sourcing and supplier opportunities.

“For Capri by Fraser, Brisbane, our corporate responsibility goes far beyond making profits. Choosing to partner with suppliers who are committed to social and environmental change is paramount. Partnering with Vanguard enables us to operate in a responsible, fair, and sustainable manner, and above all, aligns with our core values as a property”, says Mitchell.

Harry Sillett, General Manager, Social Enterprise & Operations at Vanguard Laundry, says that the partnership brought the not-for-profit organisation to a much larger, commercial scale, “We started servicing Capri by Fraser, Brisbane in 2019 as our first large-scale hotel client and our first big customer in Brisbane. At the time, we were mostly servicing smaller local clients in our area, so Capri really took a chance on us”.

Taking on Capri by Fraser led to an approximate 10% increase in Vanguard’s volume of work, meaning they needed to hire an additional five staff members from the community straight away.

Since their contract began, approximately 15 vulnerable individuals who would’ve otherwise been unemployed have been employed by Vanguard, which can be directly attributed to the extra volume picked up from Capri by Fraser.

Vanguard run a 13-month program during which they employ vulnerable members of the community and prepare them for future employment opportunities.

Some of the employees have gone to work as tradies, hairdressers, and other skills-based roles with the help of Vanguard’s program and additional career and vocational advice, courses, and training.

In the last five years they have employed 80 at-risk individuals and transited 40 of these into careers with external employment partners in the community.

Vanguard proudly takes a market-leading position in commercial laundry in southwest Queensland, as their custom-built premises in the suburb of Toowoomba continues to be a triumphant success.

For Vanguard's employees – many of whom suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or physical health problems that keep them out of the workforce – having a job brings myriad benefits.

After employees complete Vanguard’s 13-month program, they become less reliant on welfare, regain a sense of independence, and lead a much more fulfilling life. It also allows them to build their resumes, so they can move forward into other career paths.

“There are a great number of vulnerable people, previously excluded from the labour force, who can now directly attribute their employment to the courage and vision of great businesses like Capri by Fraser, Brisbane, who chose to use their business for good”, says Sillett.

Hotel Manager Luke Mitchell says, “Supporting Vanguard Laundry has been an incredibly rewarding experience for us. We understand the great importance of creating viable employment opportunities and helping those who are most at risk in society, and Vanguard is tackling this head-on. Not only that, the quality of the service they provide is second to none, so we see it as a huge win for both Capri and our community.”

Harry Sillett believes that while social procurement is a great idea in theory, it takes a lot of courage from both parties to execute large scale commercial contracts, “Capri by Fraser, Brisbane undoubtedly showed a great deal of courage in harnessing the power of their business to do good, by entrusting a not-for-profit social enterprise like us to support them commercially, and I think the results speak for themselves”, says Sillett.

Below: Narelle, Vanguard Laundry Employee

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