Torfaen Council’s school cleaning team have won a national award.

The team were recognised for making a positive impact in their organisation and the local community and their commitment to environmental sustainability. Following the international climate change conference in Glasgow in 2021, the team decided to look into environmentally friendly cleaning products. They visited local environmental entrepreneurs and worked with suppliers to find sustainable, more environmentally friendly alternatives. These were successfully piloted at some Torfaen primaries with a view to further roll out across school sites.

The nomination at the Association for Public Service Excellent awards also recognised their role in helping a Sudanese refugee, who overcame significant barriers to join the team. They worked with seven different agencies to give Nemat a job.

Lastly, the team were recognised for their compassion and dedication. A colleague was found injured at home and team went above and beyond normal duties. They made sure she got to hospital and was looked after when she came home.

Jayne Sullivan, cleaning manager, said: “On behalf of the whole cleaning team, we are so pleased to receive this prestigious award. Cleaning is often an overlooked, low profile department, and winning this award has certainly given us more confidence. Such recognition will give everyone a boost and also remind them that they are really doing a good job and now officially judged to be the best in the UK”.