Member Article

Pioneering washing machine boosts independence for Leeds Federated residents

Leeds Federated tenants are testing an innovative single programme washing machine that makes laundry day easier at the touch of a button.

JTM Service, the housing association’s laundry supplier, has installed its pioneering ‘One Touch’ washer in the residents’ laundry at Cragside Close, Kirkstall.

Leeds Federated is the third organisation to trial the machine which JTM designed to help boost independent living for people with wide-ranging disabilities who struggle to use washers with complex digital controls.

The Leeds-based company’s single programme machine washes on a standard 40 degree programme and has an automated detergent dosing system.

Sue Jennings, community development manager with Leeds Fed, said: “For residents with arthritis or poor eyesight, operating a traditional washing machine is not straight forward and can end up being a lengthy and frustrating task. Now at the push of a button they can do they washing easily and we’ve had really positive feedback from our residents.”

John Middleton, MD of Leeds-based JTM Service, who also invented the world’s first dog activated washing programme the ‘Woof to Wash’ for charity Support Dogs UK, commented: “We developed the ‘One Touch’ machine because mainstream products with complex digital controls seldom meet the needs of older people and disabled users. The machines are now being used by three organisations in the UK and we are pleased this one is easing wash day for Leeds Federated tenants.”

The single programme washers are also in use at Cornerstone, a leading Scottish social care charity, and in a Newcastle community of Chinese elders run by Tees Valley Housing Association.

Founded in Leeds in 1983 by John Middleton, JTM Service provides laundry facilities for more than 100 social housing providers from the Scottish Borders to the Midlands.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by JTM Service .