A big-hearted couple who run a local cleaning business will be adding a touch of sparkle to Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank’s new warehouse by providing their services free of charge.
Stephen McConachie and Fiona Howie, who launched Homely Scents Cleaning Services two years ago from their Rutherglen home, didn’t hesitate to waive the charge for cleaning the busy foodbank’s premises when manager Katharina Nimmo invited them to submit a quote for the contract.
Homely Scents gives back to the community under the firm’s Agnes Kerr Community Giveback Scheme – named after their first customer, who passed away in 2019.
For every 10 hours they work, Stephen and Fiona repay an hour under the scheme to someone in need, such as an elderly person whose household chores have slipped while they have been in hospital.
The couple saw Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank – which will be announcing the location of its new town centre warehouse soon – as an obvious beneficiary of the scheme.
“The last 12 months have been pretty hard for everybody, including us personally and as a business – and there are folk a lot worse off than us,” said Stephen.
“We thought we would do our bit and donate our time to the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank and they seem delighted.
“We want to be out there, giving back to the community, especially because the majority of our customers are in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area.”
Fiona and Stephen were on the cusp of expanding their business and creating new jobs when the pandemic struck.
“A year ago, we were so close to taking on staff, then lockdown hit,” said Stephen.
“I am glad we did not get as far as offering anybody a job. Under the current restrictions, we are only allowed to clean for domestic clients who physically cannot clean for themselves because they are elderly or have a disability or mobility issues. We are hoping that will change in a couple of weeks and we can get back to our other customers.”
From March 25, the couple will give the foodbank’s warehouse a weekly clean during quiet periods.
Manager Katharina said: “We are really grateful to Stephen for providing cleaning services on a regular basis. It is a very kind gesture.”
