Anchor House was set up as a seamen's mission in 1962 but over the years, especially with the closure of the London Docks, it gradually fell into disrepair.  It was taken over by dynamic new management in 2005 and today it is a nationally acclaimed residential/life skills centre providing accommodation for up to 180 homeless people each year. 

We are based in Canning Town, LB Newham, 3rd most deprived borough in England & Wales.

We have developed, in collaboration with our residents, an award winning service provision model, our Aspirations Programme, a holistic, multi-tiered programme of activities which incorporates The Outcomes Star™ a unique tool for supporting and measuring change when working with vulnerable people.   The programme includes 1:1 counseling, medical support, recreational/therapeutic activities, financial management, team building, volunteering placements and back to work preparation.   

 

Over 1000 local people access our accredited vocational training courses each year.  We offer NVQ Levels 1 & 2 in Construction including tiling, carpentry, bricklaying and plumbing.  We also offer a wide range of distance learning courses including literacy, numeracy, IT, ESOL and Citizenship.  Over 60% of people enrolling on our courses gain accreditation for completing one or more courses. 

In 2010 we were recognised as a centre of National Excellence and were awarded four National Training Awards by the UK Skills Council. Our Head of Employment and Education, Aggrie Chikiwa (a former homeless resident) was awarded UK Trainer of the Year.

On 17th October 2011 we will have the official launch of our Home and Hope Appeal at a prestigious venue, The inner Temple, with patrons Jeremy Paxman, Barbara Windsor, Julie Etchingham and Barry McGuigan attending.  Anchor House is 50 years old and urgently needs refurbishment to upgrade and increase facilities to help many more vulnerable people for many decades into the future.