BACHE Cleaner of the Year 2014 trophy
BACHE Cleaner of the Year 2014 trophy

Grace Harrison was nominated by her manager for the British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education (BACHE), which recognise the exemplary work of support staff in three categories - Cleaning Operative of the Year, Best Practice Award and Customer Service Award.

Grace Harrison, BACHE Cleaner of the Year 2014, said:
"I was surprised enough to find out I had been nominated in the first place. I do my job like everyone else, so to receive this kind of recognition is a real honour."
Grace Harrison, BACHE Cleaner of the Year 2014

Grace started working at Plymouth University on a part-time basis in 2009. She has since increased her hours and is now responsible for three buildings. Beyond this, Grace works on offer holder days, open days and special events held in the evenings of weekends. 

Sarah Haywood, Campus Services Co-ordinator at Plymouth University, said: “Grace is a committed and hard-working member of staff who has an infectious positivity and is well respected by all who know her. She plays a key role in the student experience and we are indeed very lucky to have her as part of the team. The comments in support of her application further evidence how she consistently demonstrates our value based behaviours. She has added a personal touch, taking time to get to know the staff whose area she cleans, personalising the service provision for them. She is a wonderful complement to our hard working team and an asset to the University.” 

The British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education was launched in 2004 to help standardise training and share best practices in institutions in the UK and Ireland. 

The ceremony was held at Glasgow Caledonia University with a gala dinner reception evening in June, where Grace was presented with an engraved crystal trophy.