Catford Festival Cleaning Gals | Local Event Deep Cleans

I’ve seen it more times than I care to admit: the music stops, the speeches finish, the networking wraps up, and suddenly you’re left staring at a sea of plastic cups, crushed canapés, and confetti tangled in the grass. Large-scale outdoor corporate events can look seamless while they’re happening, but when it comes to cleaning, they’re a beast of their own. Proper planning makes the difference between a chaotic aftermath and a smooth, manageable cleanup. Let’s go through exactly how to tackle it.

Why Post-Event Cleaning Matters

Cleaning up after a big event isn’t just a cosmetic exercise. It has real consequences for health, the environment, and your organisation’s reputation.

Health & Hygiene Risks

Leftover food and drink can turn a pleasant outdoor space into a breeding ground for bacteria and pests. Flies, rodents, and other critters are quick to find any unattended scraps, while sticky surfaces and wet patches pose hazards for anyone walking around. Ignoring hygiene risks doesn’t just create complaints; it could lead to fines if health and safety regulations are breached.

Environmental and Local Community Concerns

Big events often happen in public parks or shared spaces. Leaving rubbish behind doesn’t just upset local wildlife; it angers neighbours and can harm community relations. Plastic cups, bottles, and single-use plates often get blown into hedges or waterways if not cleared promptly. A clean-up plan keeps the venue as welcoming as it was before your event arrived.

Reputation & Brand Value

Clients and guests notice when a company doesn’t take responsibility for its mess. Your brand could be remembered for the chaos left behind rather than the carefully curated networking experience. A structured, well-managed clean-up signals professionalism and respect for both people and places.

Assessing Your Cleaning Needs Before the Event Ends

A successful clean-up starts before the last guest leaves. Planning ahead allows you to tackle mess efficiently and avoid surprises.

Mapping Waste and High-Traffic Zones

Start by identifying where rubbish will accumulate. Food stalls, beverage stations, VIP corners, and outdoor seating areas are prime mess zones. Position bins strategically and anticipate areas where guests may gather spontaneously. This map will guide your crew and prevent bottlenecks during clean-up.

Building a Flexible Cleaning Crew

Assigning roles early is essential. Divide the team into bin runners, surface cleaners, and sweepers, but keep flexibility in mind. Events rarely follow the exact plan, so your crew needs to pivot quickly. Experience shows that a team ready to adapt is the backbone of an efficient post-event clean-up.

Stocking the Right Equipment and Supplies

The right tools save time and reduce frustration. Heavy-duty bin bags, tarpaulins, brooms, mops, gloves, and disinfectants are the basics. Don’t forget contingency supplies like extra gloves, wet-weather gear, or portable lighting for late finishes. Preparing thoroughly means fewer delays when the real work starts.

Cleaning During the Event – Real-Time Strategies

Waiting until the last guest leaves isn’t always smart. Small, ongoing interventions prevent chaos and make the post-event clean-up more manageable.

Running Continuous Bin Collection

Assign a few crew members to roam with bin bags or wheelie bins. Emptying waste bins regularly avoids overflowing messes and reduces the risk of items blowing around. It’s a minor effort during the event but a huge time saver later.

Mobile Cleaning Stations

Set up mini cleaning stations near food stalls and high-traffic areas. Stock them with wipes, disinfectant sprays, and hand sanitiser. These stations allow quick responses to spills and keep surfaces manageable throughout the day.

Responding to Emergencies or Weather

Outdoor events can be unpredictable. A sudden downpour or gust of wind can scatter rubbish and leave paths slippery. Your team should be ready to act fast — covering waste, sweeping puddles, and relocating wet items before they create bigger issues.

The Post-Event Deep Clean

Once the event ends, it’s time for a structured, thorough clean. This is where preparation pays off.

Initial Sweep & Triage

Begin with a general sweep, separating recyclables, food waste, and general rubbish. Large items like broken furniture or signage should be cleared first to create clear walking space for your team. Sorting early prevents bottlenecks later in the process.

Targeted Area Cleaning

Prioritise areas where guests spent the most time. VIP zones, food stations, and restrooms should be tackled before open lawns or parking zones. Use appropriate tools for each surface — scrubbing mats, pressure washing hard paths, or sweeping gravel areas. Efficiency comes from methodically moving from high-priority to low-priority zones.

Tackling Tough Spots: The Mud, The Grime, The Leftovers

Outdoor events inevitably leave stubborn spots. Muddy patches near entrances, spilled drinks on decking, and confetti embedded in grass require extra attention. Use tarps to gather scattered debris, and assign teams to tackle difficult areas in rotation to prevent fatigue. It’s gruelling work, but tackling it systematically ensures no area is overlooked.

Final Stage – Polishing & Inspection

The final touches matter. Wipe down tables and surfaces, hose paths if necessary, and double-check bins are emptied. Walk the entire site to ensure nothing has been missed. The aim is to leave the venue in a condition that exceeds expectations, restoring both appearance and safety.

Logistics, Team Coordination & Safety

Cleaning after a large event is a team sport. Clear communication and safety measures are essential.

Communication Channels

Use radios, mobile phones, or even designated leaders to keep everyone in sync. Everyone should know their zones, responsibilities, and what to do if the plan changes. Coordinated teams work faster and avoid redundant effort.

Safety Measures & PPE

Safety is non-negotiable. Gloves, boots, high-visibility jackets, and rain gear keep the crew protected. Hydration breaks and shift rotations prevent fatigue. Have a first-aid plan ready — accidents can happen, especially when dealing with slippery surfaces or heavy loads.

Environmental & Waste Disposal Logistics

Waste isn’t just about picking it up; it has to go somewhere. Coordinate with local councils or contractors for collection and disposal. Separate recyclables, compostable waste, and general rubbish. If hazardous materials like broken glass or signage are present, follow the proper disposal procedures.

Sustainability & Getting Green About It

Events can leave a lasting footprint, so post-event cleaning should consider the environment.

Using Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Choose biodegradable or plant-based cleaners to reduce chemical impact. Avoid harsh chemicals that can harm grass, soil, and wildlife. Eco-friendly solutions protect both the site and your crew.

Recycling and Composting

Separate bins for recycling and composting make a tangible difference. Encourage staff to properly sort waste, and coordinate with local recycling centres to ensure items don’t end up in landfill unnecessarily.

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Cleaning Operation

Use local teams to reduce transport emissions. Plan routes for waste collection efficiently, and minimise multiple trips to dispose of rubbish. Small changes across a large event can significantly reduce environmental impact.

Post-Clean Review & Feedback Loop

After the last broom is stored, take a moment to reflect. Reviewing the process helps improve future operations.

Conducting a Debrief

Gather your crew to discuss what worked and what didn’t. Weather issues, supply shortages, or staffing gaps can be noted so solutions are ready for next time.

Gathering Client & Stakeholder Feedback

Ask organisers how they felt about the clean-up. Did the site meet their expectations? Was anything overlooked? Feedback helps refine strategy and shows professionalism.

Documenting for Next Events

Create a cleaning playbook or checklist. Include lessons learned, useful supplier contacts, and estimated time per area. Documentation transforms each event into a learning opportunity, reducing stress for future clean-ups.

Costing and Budgeting Your Cleaning Operation

Cleaning isn’t free. Budgeting upfront avoids nasty surprises later.

Estimating Labour Costs

Calculate how many staff are needed, factoring in shift length, breaks, and overtime. Flexibility costs extra but prevents under-staffed chaos.

Materials & Equipment Budget

Include costs for gloves, tarps, brooms, mops, disinfectants, and any specialised tools. Plan for wear and tear, too — large events can take a toll on supplies.

Waste Disposal Fees

Factor in charges for general waste, recycling, composting, and hazardous waste. Don’t underestimate the cost of council permits or skips if needed.

Contingency & Unexpected Costs

Weather, unforeseen messes, or last-minute site changes can add expenses. A contingency buffer keeps the clean-up manageable and avoids cutting corners.

Real-Life Story: When Plans Meet Reality

I remember a corporate event in a large city park where the sun shone all day. Everything looked perfect until the end. The VIP area was carpeted in champagne corks, and the main networking zone had mud tracks from hurried guests. With careful planning, a well-coordinated crew, and some ingenuity — tarps for debris, mobile cleaning stations for quick spot-cleaning, and a team rotation system — we left the park spotless by midnight. Guests and organisers alike were impressed, and the city council didn’t even blink. It was a messy day, but planning turned it into a triumph.

Cleaning up after a large-scale outdoor corporate event doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With preparation, flexibility, and attention to sustainability, you can transform what looks like chaos into a smooth, manageable process. Proper planning, a well-equipped crew, and structured post-event steps make all the difference. Even for the biggest events, the effort pays off — leaving organisers smiling, guests impressed, and the venue better than before. If you want to get it done properly, calling in professionals — like the Catford Cleaning Gals for advice — ensures your clean-up is as seamless as your event itself.

Yes. And not just by a little. Flexibility is your best mate when you’re scrubbing bins, wiping down toilets, and dodging punters at outdoor events. The kind of work I do isn’t your average dust-and-hoover session. This is proper action-packed, full-volume, often chaotic event cleaning. One minute you’re refilling loo roll in the portaloos, the next you’re sweeping up glitter, broken cups, and someone’s leftover jacket potato. I’ve worked festivals where the mud came up to your ankles and dance parties where half the crowd wore nothing but mesh and body paint. Through it all, the one thing that saves your day—every single time—is how quickly you can adapt. Planning has its place, sure. But when you’re elbow-deep in bins and it starts bucketing rain or someone mistakes the disabled toilet for a bathtub (true story), planning goes out the window. What saves you? Being flexible. Being quick on your feet. And knowing your team’s got your back. That’s how you survive a 3-day grime fest in Hyde Park or a boozy two-nighter in Brockwell Fields.

It Always Starts With Chaos

Outdoor Events Have One Thing in Common: Total Unpredictability

The biggest characteristic of large outdoor events? They never go as expected. You can have the best schedule written in multicoloured markers stuck on the staff noticeboard, but you’ll still end up chasing loose bin bags across a field at some point. I’ve cleaned at music festivals across London—Wireless, All Points East, even the occasional pop-up rave in Peckham Rye—and every one of them taught me that surprises are the only guarantee.

Let me paint the scene: you show up, bright-eyed, with your gear packed and boots laced. You’re ready. Forecast says “light drizzle”, so you’re thinking: easy day. Then, halfway through the shift, the sky falls apart and it’s practically a monsoon. The paths flood. Your gloves are soaked. People start abandoning their wet shoes in the middle of the dance area. You can’t plan for that. You can only respond. That’s why flexibility trumps preparation nine times out of ten.

Don’t Try to Outthink the Sky (Or the Crowd)

Some Things Are Out of Your Hands – Accept It

I used to be one of those people who’d spend hours trying to plan every tiny thing before an event. I had spreadsheets, colour-coded kits, and little sticky notes for who gets what task. Then came my first proper outdoor gig in Clapham Common, and let’s just say all that planning went out with the leftover noodles and chicken wings.

Here’s the truth: the weather doesn’t care about your prep. The crowd doesn’t care about your checklist. People will get drunk. People will get messy. Sometimes they’ll tip entire bins over for reasons that defy logic. You can’t predict how 15,000 people will behave when the DJ drops a remix of some ’90s banger. You’ll see grown men chucking pints, women crying in toilets, and some poor soul sleeping in a recycling station. You can’t out-plan that.

So what do you do? Stop wasting energy worrying about the things you can’t control. Don’t try to organise the unpredictable. Just show up ready to bend, twist, pivot, and roll with whatever madness the day brings.

Experience Helps—But Don’t Let It Trap You

Old Tricks Are Handy Until They Aren’t

There’s no doubt that experience makes a difference. You learn where to set up the toilet roll restocks so you’re not sprinting across the site like a contestant on Gladiators. You get a feel for crowd flow—how the foot traffic shifts after sunset or when the headline act hits the stage.

Still, don’t get cocky with experience. I’ve seen cleaners who’ve done Glastonbury five years in a row get completely thrown off by a sudden route change at Field Day. Just because it worked last time doesn’t mean it’ll work now.

One year, I was on toilet duty at a daytime dance party in Blackheath. By 4 p.m., one whole row of portaloos had flooded. Completely unusable. I thought, “Right, I’ve seen this before.” I started redirecting people to the second bank of toilets. But that just caused a queue longer than the bar. In the end, a rookie on my team suggested rotating two temporary cubicles in from a storage area I didn’t even know existed. Worked like a charm.

So yes, lean on experience—but don’t let it limit how you react. Sometimes the fresh eyes of a newbie spot the fix quicker than your years of doing things the same way.

It’s All About the Crew

Trust Your Team or You’ll Lose Your Mind

If flexibility is the muscle, teamwork is the spine. At big events, no cleaner works alone—not if they want to stay sane. You need people you can shout to when the bins are overflowing faster than the staff can empty them. You need someone to back you up when there’s a hygiene emergency in the family zone. And you definitely need someone to pass you wet wipes when your hands are covered in ketchup and soap foam.

I’ve worked with teams from all over—Polish, Jamaican, Romanian, you name it. And when everyone’s moving like a unit, the shift goes like a dream. One of my best crews was at a summer indie festival near Croydon. It rained, obviously. But instead of moaning, everyone got stuck in. We set up a tarp system near the loos, used leftover fencing to cordon off the really muddy patch, and even got the event manager to bring in sandbags. Not one of us planned that—but every one of us chipped in like it was second nature.

Trusting your team means knowing they’ll do their bit—and not throwing blame when it gets messy. You win together, stink together, and laugh together at the end of it.

Real-Life Lessons from the Mud and Mayhem

From Catford to the Main Stage

Living in Catford, I know my way around London’s green spaces and event zones. From Brockwell Park’s family festivals to big-budget shows in Hyde Park, I’ve scrubbed down the backstage areas and trudged across more soggy fields than I can count. Every event teaches you something new about being flexible.

There was one unforgettable weekend where I got booked for a two-day music event in Greenwich. Gorgeous setting. Weather forecast? Warm and dry. Of course, Saturday morning brought full-on fog and drizzle. I ended up wearing bin bags over my boots and swapping gloves every hour. Half the bins disappeared under a layer of mist and pizza boxes. But the crew stayed upbeat. We split into little squads and did rapid rotations, which kept everyone moving and dry-ish. We even turned a rubbish run into a bin-bag sack race at lunch. Madness. But we left that park cleaner than when we found it.

So, Is Flexibility Your Biggest Asset?

Absolutely. It’s more than helpful—it’s survival. Forget perfection. Forget your fancy prep list. The only way to stay afloat (sometimes literally) during big outdoor events is to flex with whatever hits you. Stay cool when the crowd doubles. Keep your wits when the wind takes off with your plastic gloves. Laugh when the portaloo door falls off its hinge mid-clean. And know that your team’s got you—even when it’s 11 p.m. and you’ve still got one final bin run before heading home to Catford.

Being flexible isn’t a personality trait, it’s a work requirement. Especially if you’re the kind of cleaner who shows up, stays till the end, and leaves every patch of field better than it started. You might not get a shoutout from the DJ or a thank you from the glitter-covered dancers. But you’ll know you handled it, adapted, stayed standing, and didn’t lose your mind along the way.

And that, my friend, is the real win.

When planning outdoor events in London, the unpredictable weather can be a significant challenge, influencing everything from the event layout to the cleanup process. Understanding the city’s climate is crucial for anticipating potential obstacles, mainly when cleaning up after large gatherings.

This article explores various weather scenarios and offers effective strategies for keeping your event site tidy while minimising environmental impact. Discover how to prepare for rain, wind, and heat, ensuring a smooth cleanup regardless of the elements.

Weather Considerations for Outdoor Events in London

When planning outdoor events in London, understanding the weather conditions is crucial for ensuring everything goes smoothly. With the city’s unpredictable climate—sudden rain showers, changing temperatures, and varying humidity levels—keeping an eye on the weather is critical to effective event management.

By analysing weather patterns, you can make wiser decisions about scheduling and logistics, ensuring every detail is covered. This will enhance attendee safety and satisfaction, leaving everyone happy and dry!

Understanding the Climate in London

London’s climate is shaped by its geographical location, and you need to grasp the distinct seasonal changes to organise outdoor events.

The city has a temperate maritime climate, which means you can expect mild summers and cool winters, which can significantly affect your outdoor planning. Spring arrives with blooming flowers and longer daylight hours, setting the perfect stage for festivals and markets. Then there is summer, which brings warm but often unpredictable weather, leading to a spike in public events.

As autumn arrives, the vibrant foliage is beautiful, but you will also notice an increase in rainfall. This is when you will want contingency plans to keep everything running smoothly. On the other hand, winter can throw a spanner in the works with its cold temperatures and occasional snow. This might push you to consider winter-themed concepts or cosy indoor venues for your events.

By understanding these seasonal variations, you can maximise attendance and ensure everyone has a great time at your event.

Challenges of Cleaning After Large Outdoor Events

Cleaning up after large outdoor events can be challenging for an event organizer, especially when handling waste disposal and ensuring cleanliness standards are up to scratch.

You’ll need to manage post-event cleanup logistics and coordinate with cleaning crews, so having a solid plan is essential. With all the rubbish and debris generated and any troublesome weather issues that might arise, it’s important to restore the venue quickly and efficiently strategically.

Potential Weather-Related Obstacles

Weather-related obstacles, such as unexpected rain showers, strong winds, and extreme temperatures, can throw a spanner in the works regarding outdoor events. It’s essential to plan carefully to tackle these challenges head-on.

These conditions can lead to all sorts of logistical headaches, putting the comfort and safety of your attendees at risk. For instance, rain can make surfaces slippery and increase the risk of injuries, while strong winds can wreak havoc on sound systems or make tents unstable.

That’s why it’s wise to consider using high-quality tents and canopies to protect everyone from unexpected weather, whether it’s rain or blazing sunshine. By strategically placing tents and tables to minimise wind exposure, you can create a more enjoyable atmosphere for your guests.

Furthermore, investing in weather monitoring services before the event and having contingency plans ready can help ensure that sudden weather changes don’t derail your plans. This way, you can enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.

Preparing for Different Weather Scenarios

Preparing for various weather scenarios is essential for your outdoor events. It helps you create robust contingency plans that keep your attendees safe and happy.

By conducting thorough risk assessments and considering the event’s duration, you can identify potential weather-related issues and devise strategies to address them. This proactive mindset improves operational efficiency, enhances community involvement, and elevates event branding.

Creating a Contingency Plan

Creating a contingency plan is essential when managing events, especially outdoors, where the weather can be unpredictable. You want to be ready for anything disrupting your logistics and schedule.

A solid plan will cover various challenges that could arise, ensuring your attendees have a smooth experience. Watch weather alerts regularly because sudden changes could mean you need to make quick adjustments.

Don’t forget to consider potential scheduling conflicts, especially if vendors or key participants have other commitments. Having alternative dates or indoor venues on standby can save the day if the outdoor conditions take a turn for the worse.

Plus, it’s crucial to establish effective communication channels to keep everyone informed about any changes in real time. That way, everyone remains prepared for those unexpected twists and turns.

Effective Cleaning Strategies for Various Weather Conditions

You must implement effective cleaning strategies tailored to different weather conditions to keep things sanitary and clean after outdoor events. This makes a significant difference for the community.

Whether dealing with debris removal during rainstorms or tackling waste collection in the heat, having a flexible approach can enhance your post-event cleanup efficiency.

As an event organiser, you must consider how specific weather conditions affect surfaces and materials. Choose the right biodegradable products and equipment to do the job properly.

Tips for Cleaning in Rain, Wind, and Heat

When dealing with the challenges of cleaning up in the rain, wind, or heat after outdoor events, a few practical tips boost your efficiency and effectiveness.

Having the right equipment ready to tackle that mountain of debris and waste. For example, heavy-duty tarpaulins can be a lifesaver, protecting your items from rain while giving you a solid surface to sort and collect waste.

Sturdy rubbish bins with lids are another must-have—they’ll help keep everything in check during windy conditions so you won’t chase litter everywhere. And let’s not forget about hydration! In hot weather, your cleaning crews must stay refreshed, so planning for shaded rest areas can lift morale and keep productivity high.

It’s also wise to think about scheduling your cleaning efforts after the worst weather has passed. This way, you can ensure a safer and smoother cleaning process.

Minimising Environmental Impact

Minimising the environmental impact during outdoor events isn’t just a responsibility; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and community resources.

You can significantly reduce pollution and positively impact the community by using eco-friendly practices, such as biodegradable products for waste disposal and recycling initiatives.

When you prioritise environmental considerations in your event planning and execution, you’re helping to foster a cleaner, greener future for all public events.

Sustainable Cleaning Practices

Adopting sustainable cleaning practices is vital as an event organiser if you want to reduce your ecological footprint and promote environmentally responsible waste management.

You can reduce your events’ negative environmental impact by using eco-friendly products like biodegradable cleaning agents and reusable supplies. Setting up composting systems helps divert organic waste from landfills, a great way to support a circular economy. You can also encourage your guests to use designated recycling bins and provide them with educational resources on sustainable practices. This not only elevates their overall experience but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainability.

In the end, embracing these strategies doesn’t just boost your event’s reputation and inspires attendees to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

“That’s such a cool idea, Kerry! I think you should give it a try. You can pull it off, no matter what anybody else says!”

If I ever needed positive energy and support, I knew I could expect it from my friend Valery. We went to high school together, but we were polar opposites even back then. If I was the disappointing kid totally disinterested in the school program, Val was the “straight-A” super student who participated in competitions and was certain to go to college. But she was one of the few people who understood my struggles and broke through my wall of anxiety, disappointment, and teenage anger. We remained close friends ever since.

A few weeks have passed since the UKG festival at Streatham Common (if you haven’t read my first post, you can check it here), and the older lady’s words still stuck in my head. I was absentmindedly sleepwalking through my shifts in the store, not sure what my next step should be. Back then, Valery had just finished her MBA at Birkbeck and was about to start her career in one of London’s best-known business consulting firms. So, I decided to use her expertise and get some free advice on how feasible it would be to launch a new business.

“Most people have that wrong notion in their head that you need piles of cash to start a business. That’s not at all true – but you do need a good idea. You also need expertise and experience in the field, a good team, and dedication. So let’s see what you’ve got. A good idea, check. Expertise – let’s say semi-check. Experience – pass. A good team – pass. Dedication – check. In other words, you are halfway from where you want to be. If I were you, I would work on expertise and experience – find as much information as you can on outdoor events cleaning, how many companies in London provide it, what their rates are, etc. No pun intended, but you will need to do your homework.”

We both laughed out loud – a testament to how far away I have come from my high school failures. Then, Val made one of her trademark dramatic pauses and said: “There is an alternative, but I don’t think you are going to like it.”

“Tell me anyway”, I said between bites from my croissant.

“You can find a big cleaning contractor that does not provide the service and pitch them the idea. However, you must make it clear from the start that you are not looking to be their employee. Instead, you will be offering them a partnership – you can be their subcontractor and use their workforce and contacts while you do the heavy lifting and everyday management.”

“You know what, I think you can do this for a living!” I commented, and we laughed even louder.

Contrary to what Val thought, the second idea appealed to me instantly. I had to be realistic – I was not ready to create and run my own business, not yet. But if I could convince an established company to run with my idea, the opportunity could be huge.

I spent the next few weeks in a frantic search for information. There were hundreds of cleaning companies in London – large and small, limited in a few local areas or operating city-wide. But those with “event or post-event cleaning” in their service portfolio mainly specialised in indoor events and venues. Furthermore, I hadn’t realised there were over 200 annual outdoor events in London, including music concerts, local festivals, literary contests, sporting events, and God knows what else. And I hadn’t even considered indoor events – if I added them to the mix, the niche would have become monstrous.

I started reading about cleaning requirements, best industry practices, cleaners’ hourly rates, and how to plan a cleaning budget for a large-scale event. The more I read, the more I became immersed in my project.

After careful research, I picked a cleaning contractor with great customer feedback. They were operating city-wide, offering an extensive range of services, and I finally summoned enough courage to send them an email asking for an appointment. To my astonishment, I got a response within two days with their office address and a scheduled visit.

The next three days were arguably the most nerve-wracking in my life. I had prepared a thorough presentation of my idea (“Brilliant” was Val’s assessment, but she was hardly objective), and I ran through the numbers over and over again. I hadn’t studied so hard in my life – but if I were going to fail, it would not have been because I hadn’t done my homework.

I stepped into the cleaning company’s office as nervous as a first-time soldier on a battlefield. The person I was supposed to meet turned out to be an affable gentleman in his mid-40s, the operating manager. “Hi, my name is Robert. Look, I’ll give you fifteen minutes, but if you don’t grab my attention in the first five, I’ll cut you short.”

“Fair enough”, I thought, took a deep breath, loaded the presentation on my laptop and jumped into the shark tank. Robert reclined back in his chair and listened politely. Still, I could see the combination of amusement and condescension on his face. A few minutes into my presentation, however, his expression began to change. It became sharper, more intent, paying attention to the numbers I was spitting in quick succession. The five-minute mark passed, and he didn’t stop me, so I knew I had my chance.

When I finished, he sat silently for a few seconds. “I am afraid we’ll have to reschedule the meeting. I’ll be frank with you – I expected this to be another hare-brained idea of a young cleaner who wants to make it in the business. What I heard is anything but hare-brained. Unfortunately, I cannot make this call. You are offering us a full-fledged partnership, and only my boss – the company’s owner – can decide.”

I looked at him dumbfounded. He hadn’t laughed me off, he wasn’t sending me away with polite nonsense. Robert was actually telling me my idea made sense!

“I can come back and meet your boss at his convenience. You have my number and email.” We shook hands, but before we left, he patted me on the shoulder and said: “That’s the best presentation I have seen in a long while. Don’t sweat it, you are almost there. My boss knows a winner when he sees one.”

Had I just made the most crucial career step in my life?

“I don’t know what to do with you, Kerry! Another “F” on an easy test. If you don’t get your act together, you won’t be able to pass my class. Even worse, if you continue down the road you are threading, you will end up picking up garbage cans or cleaning the subway!”

I’d heard it all before. I was eighteen, in my last year at Colfe’s School in Lee. What surprised me this time was the venom in Mrs Mattison’s voice. She was my chemistry teacher, and like most of her colleagues, she considered me a total failure and a waste of her time.

Let me take a quick step back. My name is Kerry Brockhurst, I am twenty-six years old, and I’ve lived in Catford, London, all my life. I run a small company specialising in cleaning after outdoor events – concerts, festivals, art workshops, etc. If you had told anybody who knew me ten years ago that I would be managing my own company and be good at it, they would have laughed at your face. I guess who laughs last is what really counts.

I wouldn’t say I was a rebellious or lazy teenager. I was pretty passionate about many things – disco and electronic music, environmental issues, keeping the local parks clean and so on. The problem was none of these were part of the school program. Instead, I had to study mind-numbing stuff that I resented – Math, chemistry, biology. By the time I was sixteen, I had reached my breaking point. I stopped doing my homework regularly and wasn’t paying attention in class. My teachers tried to persuade me I was making a terrible mistake, but none of their arguments sounded particularly convincing.

The inevitable happened – I had a horrific GSCE score from Colfe’s and no realistic prospect of going to college. My parents had given up on trying to push me in any direction and were just hoping I wouldn’t end up in prison. Looking back, I must admit my teachers had a point, at least to some extent. I was an opinionated, strong-willed, non-conformist kid locked up in a conformist system. Thousands of other young boys and girls must have felt the same way – some compromised with the school system’s necessities, others didn’t. But what happened next must have shocked everyone who knew me, including my parents.

If you loved UKG (UK garage music) as much as I did, Garage Nation was one of the most important events on the calendar. The 2017 annual outdoor festival was about to take place in July at Streatham Common, and a few of my best friends surprised me with tickets for my 20th birthday. At that time, I was working at a local grocery store in Catford as a cashier – with no career prospects, no particular plan for the future, and no idea what I wanted from my life. Doubts had dangerously begun to creep in whether my high-school teachers had been right about me all along. Was I to be a failure?

However, for just one day, I decided to put my worries aside. The event was a blast! Some of the UK’s best-known DJs and MCs turned Streatham Common into a giant dance club, and the fun lasted for hours! It was after dark when the last performers went off stage, cheered by a frantic crowd. The atmosphere in the park was electric, and I didn’t want to go home just yet. Along with a group of friends, we found a nice spot to sit and share our impressions of the festival.

While the others were arguing about the best performance of the day, my attention switched to the people cleaning around the stage. Or rather – pretending to clean. They were picking up water bottles and beer cans, but at least a third of the garbage remained behind them.

Keeping parks clean has been one of my passions ever since my Mom took me to an Earth Day event to pick up garbage in Mountfields Park when I was twelve. I knew that massive events like outdoor music festivals put a lot of strain on the park authorities, but what I was seeing was nowhere near the effort required. Still, there was little I could do at this very moment.

The next day, however, the bad impressions were still needling me. I was off from work, so I decided to go to Streatham Common and check the situation. It was terrible! The festival organisers had made a mockery of the cleaning effort, and the vast lawn around the now-removed stage was littered with all kinds of garbage. I tried to contact the organisers immediately, but when they found out why I was calling, they blew me off in a second. Nobody was picking up the phone left on the Lambeth Council website – Streatham Common was under its jurisdiction.

“That won’t do!”, I thought and quickly started considering alternatives. I was a member of a volunteer Facebook group called “Keep London Parks Clean” – I couldn’t think of a better way to organise something fast. I quickly took pictures of the debacle around me and posted them to the Group wall. Since it was a working day, it took some time for the reactions to pop up, but it was an avalanche when they did. We made a shopping list of the necessary things and how many people we would need to do the job adequately. Within two hours of my post, we’ve made a comprehensive plan to clean the former festival site the next day.

Late that afternoon, I finally got a call back from Lambeth Council. They didn’t get the chance to recite their half-hearted apology – I cut them short by informing them a Facebook group had already organised a cleaning campaign for Streatham Common. I don’t know what was more funny – their shock or the relief they would not have to deal with the event organisers.

The next day’s cleaning went smoothly – a group of young people having fun while doing something good for the community. But then something totally unexpected happened. At first, I didn’t pay attention to it and could hardly imagine it would change my life. We were picking up the last remnants of litter from the park grounds. One of the older members of our Facebook group approached me and matter-of-factly noticed: “You did a fantastic job, Kerry. You saw something wrong and took the initiative. You did it quickly, efficiently and well. It might not be my place to say it, but you should seriously consider doing this for a living.”

I froze in my place. I was so used to older people telling me what I had done wrong that I didn’t know how to react to positive affirmation. I said an embarrassed “Thank you”, and that was it. But for some reason, her words stuck in my mind. Could I really do this for a living? Could I be good at it? And if so, how on Earth was it going to happen?