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1 nomination from readers

• Although currently operating on a small scale, Community Cleaning Services show that social enterprise can be a very real solution to challenging issues of economic and social exclusion. The female Bangladeshi community in the UK are the most economically inactive ethnic minority group. By engaging with them in a non-threatening, grass-roots way, CCS illustrate that it is possible effect real and meaningful change to the lives of both the people they employ, as well as their families by increasing their income.

  CCS’s achievements have been recognised by a number of agencies; in 2006, CCS was awarded as a Two Tick Organisation by Job Centre Plus for helping local people to find work. In January 2008, they were selected as a case study social enterprise for an Economic Participation showcase launched by Hazel Blears. In addition Shamim has keenly engaged with social enterprise development agencies to provide information to policy work that may influence social policy; she contributed to a recent Social Enterprise London project which explored economic activity amongst Bangladeshi women.

  Apart from all the accolades of their community contribution, CCS are also greatly appreciated by their clients, without whom there would be no business! They currently have 19 clients, including Bromley by Bow Centre, Apasenth and Community Innovation UK. By delivering an excellent, friendly and professional cleaning service, CCS hope to expand the number of employees from 11 to 15 by the end of the year. There are also plans to offer 10 places for ‘taster’ work experience sessions as well as seeking to replicate the CCS business model in Bangladesh.

  Nominated by Joanne Stetzel, 07 May 2008