UCL marked "Thank Your Cleaner Day" on 15 October - Recognising UCL's Cleaning Teams

Thank your cleaner day began in New Zealand in 2015 and has since grown into a global initiative, observed each year, to recognise the vital contributions of cleaning staff, many of whom work behind the scenes and outside regular hours.

At UCL, this day is especially important. Our cleaners are often the first people in the building each morning, quietly ensuring that our spaces are clean, safe, and ready for the day ahead. By celebrating thank your cleaner day, we aim to shine a light on their work and show our appreciation for the work that keeps our community going.

• Early starts, quiet impact
  UCL cleaners begin work as early as 5am, ensuring lecture halls, labs, libraries, and accommodation spaces are ready for the day. Their work often goes unseen but is vital to the smooth running of the university.
• Essential roles
  From maintaining hygiene standards to supporting sustainability efforts, cleaners play a key role in the wellbeing of our community.

Paul Monk, Head of Soft Services at UCL, said:
“Our cleaners are the unsung heroes who keep our spaces safe and welcoming. Their hard work and dedication often go unseen, but their impact is felt by everyone who walks through our doors. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible cleaning team.”

As part of thank your cleaner day, UCL and Sodexo leaders took time to personally thank cleaning staff across campus - an act that was warmly received by the team.

Sara Macedo, a Supervisor, covers all areas in central Bloomsbury campus:
“Many of my team told me they really appreciated that senior Sodexo and UCL management had taken the time to come and thank them in person.”

Emperatriz Anyosa, a daytime Cleaner, works in DMS Watson:
“I’m happy to be part of such a great team. We work hard to keep UCL buildings clean and safe, and it was lovely to be acknowledged for the effort we put in each day.”

Frederico Lenio, an early morning Cleaner, works in Sainsburys Wellcome Centre:
“It’s gestures like this [the formal thanks] that help keep us motivated on cold, wet mornings while everyone else is asleep. It’s great to be recognised for our hard work as an essential part of UCL.”

As we look ahead to the future, UCL is refining its approach to cleaning and waste management to better meet the needs of our buildings and community as a part of the proposed changes to UCL’s cleaning and waste management services. These changes are part of a broader effort to create a more responsive, sustainable, and supportive service. We understand that this is a time of transition, and we remain committed to treating all staff with respect and care throughout the process.

While this recognition comes during a time of change, UCL Estates remains committed to listening to staff concerns and ensuring their voices are heard.  We continue to work closely with Sodexo, our contracted soft services supplier, to improve how we manage waste and clean our Bloomsbury campus to support UCL’s strategic goals.
On 15 October - and every day - we recognise and appreciate the cleaners who are a vital part of the UCL community. Their work matters, and they deserve to be seen, heard, and valued.