29/09/2026
“Just a cleaner.”
“Just a Support Worker.”
“Just a…”
That word — just — honestly saddens me.
Because somewhere along the way, we’ve created a society where we can make someone feel smaller simply by the way we describe what they do.
There is no “just” a cleaner.
There is no “just” a Support Worker.
These are incredibly important roles — roles that make a genuine difference in people’s lives every single day.
As Support Workers and cleaners, we often become some of the most trusted and important people in our clients’ lives.
We aren’t simply there to complete a task.
We are there to support, listen, encourage and care.
We provide emotional support.
We provide social and psychological support.
We help people maintain their independence and dignity.
We help with everyday activities that some of our clients physically or emotionally cannot manage themselves.
And when we’re cleaning someone’s home, we’re not “just cleaning.”
We’re helping create a safe, clean and comfortable environment for someone who may not be capable of doing those things themselves.
When we’re supporting someone to attend an appointment, go shopping, get out into the community, prepare a meal, complete an activity or simply have someone there to talk to — we’re not “just a Support Worker.”
We’re helping someone live their life.
And I’ve experienced the assumptions around these roles myself.
When I’m out in the community cleaning or supporting someone, people can sometimes look at me differently.
Then they ask, “So, what do you actually do?”
And when I tell them I’m part of a successful three-part business, that I’m a Director, and that I’m also involved in running a foundation that gives back to our community, I’ve literally seen the change in their face.
The eyes get bigger.
The mouth drops.
And suddenly it’s:
“Oh… I didn’t realise you’re a boss.”
And that makes me wonder…
What does a boss actually look like?
Does a boss have to wear a suit?
Sit behind a desk?
Drive an expensive car?
Have a fancy title?
Because I don’t look like that every day.
Some days I’m in work clothes.
Some days I’m cleaning someone’s home.
Some days I’m supporting someone in the community.
Some days I’m doing paperwork and running a business.
Some days I’m getting my hands dirty.
And most days I’m volunteering my time to give back to the very community that supports us.

And some days I’m making decisions that affect the future of our businesses and the people we support.
I’m still the same person.
My clothes don’t determine my worth.
My job title doesn’t determine my value.
And the work I’m doing today doesn’t tell you what I’ve achieved, what I’m capable of, or where I’m going.
So before you say “just a cleaner”, think again.
Before you say “just a Support Worker”, think again.
Because behind that person could be a business owner, a parent, a leader, a volunteer, a community advocate, a director, a dreamer, a fighter — or simply someone doing an incredibly important job that society genuinely depends on.
There is dignity in every honest job.
And there is enormous value in the people who show up every day to care for others, support others and make someone’s life a little easier.
So if you see me out there cleaning or supporting someone, don’t look down on me.
You might just be looking at the boss. ❤️
And more importantly, you might be looking at someone who is making a real difference in another person’s life.
Never underestimate the person wearing the uniform.
