A FREE community laundrette is extending its opening hours.
Edna’s Laundrette at New Images Youth and Community Centre in Winsford will now open on Saturdays to help keep up with demand.
Motherwell Cheshire, which supports women with health and wellbeing services, launched the laundrette at the start of the year after receiving Lottery funding.
And it has proved a big hit with more than 60 users washing and drying their clothes while making new friends.
Founder of the charity, Kate Blakemore, said: “The aim was to bring the community together in a very simple way, as they wash their clothes.
“The facility is free, helping many people on a tight budget and the feedback and gratitude expressed has been overwhelming.
“So we have taken the decision to open an extra day.
“Tuesday and Wednesday wash and dry slots will remain via a booking system but new sessions on Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm, will be open to all.”
The laundrette is named after 86-year-old Edna Fletcher, who has volunteered at New Images on Nixon Drive for more than 30 years.
The facility also acts as a satellite hub for Motherwell Cheshire which offers free bundles of baby clothes and comfort packs as well as sports bags containing sanitary products and toiletries as part of its Period Dignity campaign.
Hub co-ordinator Nadine Walker said: “Opening the laundrette on Saturdays will extend the benefits to many more people such as students and single parents who struggle with the costs of doing a wash.
“Everyone’s energy bills have shot up and as well as saving money for families, the aim was to help beat isolation and bring people together.
“While they wait, they can socialise in a safe, warm space, have a hot drink and snack, access wi-fi chat and with our volunteers. It’s been great to see this happening.”
Edna’s Laundrette was launched with funding from the People’s Health Trust which uses money raised by Health Lottery North West.
Several local businesses also supported the initiative including AO.com which provided two washing machines and two tumble driers.
The facility is open Tuesdays 9.30am to 3pm and Wednesdays 12-3pm for pre-booked slots.
On Saturdays it is now open to all from 10am to 4pm.
For more information on Motherwell Cheshire and Edna’s Laundrette, including booking sessions, visit motherwellcheshirecio.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here