…and where we are going

Clean for Good’s story began in the Parish of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe – a Church in the City of London in 2014.  Wanting to understand more about who worked in their parish, they asked the Centre for Theology & Community to undertake some grassroots research. They found a surprising number of low-paid workers, often working in poor conditions. 

Every day the City of London relies upon a small army of low-income workers to keep the City ticking over – cleaners, security guards, couriers and bar workers to name a few. Working anti-social hours, thousands are coming to work as the day-time City workers leave their desks. Some are treated well, but some less so – with low wages, poor working conditions and little scope for advancement. They have been described as the City’s ‘hidden workers’. The treatment of local cleaners stood out. 

St Andrew’s decided to do something practical. Why not set up a cleaning company to provide work for cleaners – paying the London Living Wage and providing decent working conditions?

The new business would benefit low-income residents of the City and its surrounding communities

Why should cleaning be a sector where workers just survive? Why not a cleaning business whose workers thrive?

The parish’s Social Responsibility Liaison Miriam Goodacre led the project, secured a grant from the Corporation of London for a feasibility study and in 2014 won a Dragon’s Den competition, organised by the Church Mission Society (CMS). This gave her access to training and support in developing the business idea. In fact, CMS were so interested in the idea they became a founder investor. And Miriam has been recognised for her work (read about her award here).

Early in 2015, the Parish asked the Centre for Theology & Community to work as a partner in developing the business plan and launching the business. In 2016 the Centre took on full project management of developing and launching the business. The Centre is a founder investor.

Clean for Good launched in early 2017.