Dora Brown homemaking work praised by Suffolk social worker

Rebecca May Marston from Ipswich and Sacha Naylor from Woodbridge are the joint directors of Dora Brown Homemaking. 

Their social enterprise offers a ‘reset’ to the homes of people who are struggling to cope, whether through mental health crises, poverty or any other difficulties they are experiencing in their lives. 

Rose Carpenter is a social worker for the Family Solutions Team at Suffolk County Council. 

She discovered Dora Brown after hearing about their work from a colleague and reading about them in a news story.

Her thoughts immediately turned to a family she was currently working with.

A bedroom before it was transformed by the team at Dora Brown. Credit: Julia Bostock (Image: Julia Bostock)

A bedroom before it was transformed by the team at Dora Brown. Credit: Julia Bostock (Image: Julia Bostock)

Ms Carpenter said: “I had been working to help a lovely family who, alongside other issues, were struggling to live in their home as the clutter and cleaning had become unmanageable. 

“The teenagers in the home had a loving relationship with the parent, but things were reaching crisis point and they needed help to return their house back to a place they could be comfortable and happy otherwise they may have been removed.” 

She contacted the team at Dora Brown, who was only too happy to meet with the family. 

Rebecca said: “This was a particularly difficult situation – one that was quite emotional.  

“We really wanted the best for this lovely family. There was so much love in the house, but mental health difficulties and other challenges meant the adult had lost their way – like so many people we meet, they just couldn’t see a way out and needed help.” 

The bedroom after it was transformed by the team at Dora Brown, after two months of hard work. Credit: Julia Bostock (Image: Julia Bostock)

The team at Dora Brown cleared huge amounts of clutter from the family's home. Credit: Julia Bostock (Image: Julia Bostock)

The family's dining room was completely transformed. Credit: Julia Bostock (Image: Julia Bostock)

Over two months, the team cleared tons of clutter and thoroughly cleaned the home. They purchased new furniture, including a bed for the parent and eldest child, who had been sleeping on broken sofas. 

Ms Carpenter said the lives of the whole family have been changed. The children are now sleeping better, and attending school more regularly. They have also been able to invite friends over and build their social network. 

“Having nice things and a nice home isn’t a luxury,” she said.  

“It’s an important part of our wellbeing that everyone deserves and that’s what Dora Brown gives to people.”