My cleaner, Caroline (yes it *is* awesome having a cleaner, thanks for asking) is trying to set herself up as a proper small business. It's tough times, but she's a hard worker. What she really needs are reliable customers.
The people who need their houses cleaned the most aren't childless middle-class folk like me. The people who need it - really, REALLY need it - are people who are caring for someone chronically ill, or are recently bereaved.
It isn't just hard to keep your house in order under those circumstances. It's impossible.
And when your life is falling apart, having your house do the same around you is one of the most depressing things imaginable. A dirty, messy house just makes everything that little bit worse.
If you've ever lived around death or chronic illness, you'll probably be nodding right now. For the rest of you - trust us on this one.
The idea
- I contact Arthur Rank house, Careline, other local Cambridge organisations, to see if they'd be happy setting up connections with the people who use their services.
- I set up a charitable fund and a little financial infrastructure.
- Those so inclined throw some money in.
- We pay Caroline to go clean houses for carers & bereaved people.
Caroline charges about £10 an hour for house cleaning. For every person who throws £10 into the pot, or makes a standing order/direct debit for £10, that's an hour of cleaning, no variations. (And this lady can get a lot done in an hour, I've seen her.)
Who's with me? Anyone?
Speak up in the comments if you think this is a good idea - if people are interested, I'll get started.
Posts
Zoe you are really awesome. This is a steller idea. Would be happy to contribute-but my concern would be how long can you keep it going with just a couple of us throwing some cash at it. Eventually the pot will run dry and will the same interest be there? but anyway, I am in. Also if Caroline is looking for more private clients I would be interested from about Sept.
ReplyDeletethanks again for your social conscience!
irenee xxx
Great idea! How about a business model that relies on cross subsidisation? So middle class childless couples pay £15 per hour and every 2hr session of cleaning results in 1 hr of free cleaning for someone deserving. This also assuages the guilt the middle class has at even having a cleaner - and hell the rate is still quite competitive. She could position herself as the ethical cleaner. Though I guess for this to work she'd have to fully buy in to / believe in the model (your approach simply requires her to act as a responsible subcontractor). Am sure she could get some free press as the CSR cleaner.
ReplyDeleteMartin you are a goshdarn genius. Why aren't you in business? That is such a terrific idea it's not even funny.
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea, Zoe. This would really make a difference to a lot of people's lives. It just needs a good financial support model - like Martin's!
ReplyDelete