Imagine her surprise, then, a few days later, when Mr Jeon offered Weave free cleaning, for both premises, every week.
Ms Bryson called in a colleague, Partnerships Manager Mardi Diles, to witness the generous offer. Both were shocked and thrilled. “We’d never had this before,” Ms Bryson said. “Businesses usually want some kind of quid pro quo relationship. This was different. [BestU] really wanted us to have a nice, clean space. They understood the value in that.”
“The first Monday [after cleaning] we were astounded,” Ms Diles recounted. “BestU staff had buffed and polished the floors, gernied the front steps. The windows were all pristine clean, every surface was sparkling. It was like being in a new building. All our clients really noticed the difference. This was first-class service.
“It’s been such a humbling experience to have a business supporting us in this way and not wanting anything in return.”
Daniel Jeon informed the SSH that “BestU Cleaning Management is comprised mainly of immigrants with a strong desire to support the Australian community.”
He added: “I am very happy to have an opportunity to support people who are in need through a fantastic organisation like Weave. All employees of BestU Cleaning Management work according to the company’s ideology and believe this is the first step toward building BestU’s charity and support services. BestU has many future plans, including support work in Third World countries.”
The company name is an acronym of Beyond Expectation Service To You[U].
Siobhan Bryson said she appreciates the kindness and professionalism. “It reminds you of the best in humanity. It’s not just having a clean building, but a regular reminder of good people, of altruism. People believe in what we’re doing.”
She explained that BestU had also provided extra cleaning as needed.
“Recently Weave submitted to an accreditation process that entailed two days of extensive auditing. BestU made sure that everything was as clean as possible for the audit.”
Late last year, auditors ASES (Australian Service Excellence Standards) issued a certificate of accreditation to Weave. The community organisation is the first in NSW to have achieved such certification, with reference to 18 standards criteria, and without the imposition of an intermediate quality improvement plan.
An executive summary by ASES affirms that Weave provides services to socially excluded children, young people, women and families, and Aboriginal people of all ages. It goes on to list Weave’s many strengths including: focus on clients as the central consideration (acknowledged by clients); evidence that the accreditation preparation was embraced as a genuine and timely opportunity to improve Weave; loyalty and support from all stakeholders shown by the thorough preparation for and generous input during the interviews; excellent teamwork, a strong commitment to Weave values, and recognition of the importance of humour; proactive stance with regard to challenges in their operating environment with innovative efforts to protect and enhance Weave; influence and integration in local and regional community sector service delivery networks.
“Being an accredited organisation gives our clients, staff, stakeholders, funding bodies and donors confidence that Weave is an organisation committed to safety and quality,” Ms Bryson said. “It also provides assurance that Weave operates an efficient organisation that complies with all regulatory requirements.”
Regarding Weave’s partnership with BestU, the good news keeps getting better. Weave CEO Shane Brown reports that BestU offered to provide cleaning for a client. An 84 year-old grandmother with four grandchildren involved in Weave’s Kool Kids program was delighted with the offer and the service.
“BestU said they’d be happy to help nominated clients in the same way again, from time to time,” Ms Bryson said. “Already, two such cleaning jobs have brought tears of relief, the support a catalyst for transformation.”
