Cleaning firm upbeat with new museums partnership

Upbeat Clean– a social enterprise which provides employment for refugees – is celebrating after a landing a contract with Derby Museums.

The commercial cleaning venture has been contracted to deliver its services at the Museum of Making and Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

The museum joins more than 30 local organisations who are now on Upbeat Clean’s books.

The new partnership builds on Derby Museums’ long history of support for refugee and asylum-seeker communities through its involvement with the Derby City of Sanctuary network, where it has worked with organisations across the city to create a climate of welcome and inclusion.

Dr Alex Rock, director of commercial and operations at Derby Museums, said: “As a cultural organisation working towards Museum of Sanctuary status, we want to be innovative about improving connectivity with the diverse communities of our city.

“By partnering with Upbeat Clean, we are embedding inclusivity at an operational level, and taking another step towards creating a more ethical practice.

“As an organisation, we are deeply embedded in Derby and passionate about our city. Through working with Upbeat Clean, we are supporting a fellow social enterprise based in our city as part of our commitment to source locally, for the good of Derby.”

Established by Upbeat Communities, Upbeat Clean was set up to address some of the challenges faced by refugees in finding a first job in the UK.

Earlier this year, the social enterprise was named as Marketing Derby’s Rising Star.

Michael Gladwell, head of enterprise at Upbeat Clean, said: “We are delighted to be working with Derby Museums on this new contract, building on relationships already established with the museum through our parent charity, Upbeat Communities.

“The Museum of Making is one of the largest venues we have in our client portfolio, and our team is really excited to make a difference at such an iconic location.

“We want Upbeat Clean to provide an excellent service to our commercial clients, while paying a real living wage and providing our staff with supported employment and mentoring opportunities that will enable them to maintain a balanced family life.”