Upbeat Clean, based in St Chad’s Road, Derby, has been named as one of five local King’s Award for Enterprise winners after picking up the award for Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

It’s the first organisation in the county to win the coveted social mobility award, one of the rarest King’s Awards, recognising organisations operating programmes designed to support people from disadvantaged backgrounds in improving their job skills and chances of finding work.

Upbeat Clean was founded as a social enterprise by city charity Upbeat Communities in 2020, as part of its work helping refugees and asylum seekers to settle and rebuild their lives in the UK. Headed by Managing Director Michael Gladwell, it provides meaningful employment to refugee women who live in the city after having fled war or persecution, giving them the chance to earn money for themselves and their families and access training.

In recent years it has increased its remit to make a positive impact on the cleaning sector, having taken on people who were already working in the industry but were not being given their full employment entitlements, including annual leave and pension contributions.

It currently employs 40 staff and its clients include a number of well-known city firms, including Getinge on Pride Park, Derby Museums, Derby County Community Trust and QUAD, with more high-profile customers waiting in the wings.

Michael said: “Our team are delighted to be recognised by the King for combining excellent cleaning with life-changing employment.

“We knew before we started that there was huge potential in partnering with refugee women who have fled horrific situations with their children, giving them an opportunity not only to work, but to realise their full potential and take on management and leadership roles.

“They’ve done that amazingly, thanks to the incredible support from over 40 Derby companies who are using their budgets to get excellent cleaning and change lives.”

www.upbeatclean.co.uk