YMCA Anderson House

In 2025, Nortek Group was proud to play an active role in the renovation of Anderson House, a former care home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on behalf of One YMCA.

One YMCA acquired the building with a clear and vital objective: to transform the space into safe, high-quality supported living accommodation for people in need within the local community. The project forms an important part of One YMCA’s mission to combat homelessness and support individuals as they rebuild independence and stability through well designed residential environments. They required a contract furniture manufacturer to

A Reliable Partner for a Critical Project

One YMCA required a contract furniture supplier capable of managing the high volume of bespoke furniture needed to fully furnish a building of this scale. Having previously experienced delays and reliability issues with other well-known furniture suppliers, the team needed a partner they could trust to deliver consistently, on time, and within budget.

As a UK-based furniture manufacturer, Nortek Group was uniquely positioned to meet these demands. Working closely with One YMCA project coordinators James and Chloe, we designed, manufactured, and delivered a complete furniture solution tailored to the “mini living quarters” concept used throughout Anderson House.

Our focus was on ensuring consistency, durability, and value, while maintaining a warm, domestic feel appropriate for supported accommodation.

Phased Production & Rolling Installation

Once product specifications were agreed, Nortek Group began production and installation on a staggered schedule to align with One YMCA’s renovation programme. As residents were moved into the building on a rolling basis, furniture had to be installed room-by-room rather than delivered in one large batch.

Due to limited on-site storage space, this phased approach was essential. Nortek Group coordinated manufacturing and delivery carefully so that each completed set of rooms could be furnished immediately and made ready for occupation. James and Chloe highlighted Nortek Group’s flexibility as a major factor in keeping the wider renovation programme running smoothly.

Furnishing Safe, Comfortable Living Spaces

Each self-contained suite at Anderson House was furnished with a complete, consistent package designed to meet the practical needs of residents while creating a comfortable and dignified living environment. This included:

• Bed
• Desk and chair
• Bedside table
• Wall shelf
• Double-door wardrobe
• Chest of drawers

In addition to the private accommodation, Nortek Group supplied large quantities of communal furniture, including dining tables, dining seating, sofas, and other soft furnishings. These shared spaces are essential in supported housing environments, encouraging social interaction and helping residents feel part of a community.

Furniture Designed to Last

All furniture supplied to Anderson House was specified with longevity and robustness in mind, ensuring it can withstand daily use in a supported living environment while remaining easy to maintain. By manufacturing in-house, Nortek Group was able to control quality at every stage and adapt designs where required to suit room sizes, layouts, and usage.

Making a Real Difference

The Anderson House project stands out as one of Nortek Group’s most rewarding projects of 2025. Beyond the scale and logistical complexity, it represents an opportunity to make a genuine positive impact — helping provide safe, well-furnished accommodation for vulnerable people within the local community.

It was a pleasure to support One YMCA in delivering such an important project, and to contribute in a meaningful way to the fight against homelessness.

If your organisation is planning a supported housing, care, or residential refurbishment project and requires a reliable, flexible contract furniture partner, Nortek Group can deliver a complete solution — from design and manufacture through to phased installation.