🧼 Cleaning & Hygiene SOP

Plas Heli — The Welsh Sailing Academy, Event Centre and Community Enterprise — is used by competitors, visitors, volunteers, and the local community. Keeping the venue clean and welcoming is a shared effort between our hired‑in cleaning contractors, our volunteers, and event attendees themselves.

This guide is simply here to help volunteers feel confident about what they can do. There’s no pressure — just do what feels comfortable.

How Cleaning Works at Plas Heli

Cleaning is shared between:

• Professional cleaning contractors — hired during and after large events, and for occasional refresh cleans.
• Volunteers — who help with light, routine cleaning when they can or when something needs attention.
• Event attendees — who are kindly expected to help keep the facilities tidy during their visit.
• The Catering Franchisee — responsible for cleaning all catering areas, including the first‑floor catering toilets.

Plas Heli is responsible for all areas outside the catering franchise, including toilets, public spaces, balcony, corridors, meeting rooms, and event areas.

Sand & Coastal Venue Considerations

Being right next to the beach is one of Plas Heli’s best features — but it also means sand gets everywhere, especially on busy days.

Sand is a particular problem in the showers, where excessive sand can block drains. Volunteers can help by:

• keeping an eye on shower areas during busy events
• letting the Duty Manager know if sand is building up
• encouraging competitors (in a friendly way) to rinse off outside first if possible

You don’t need to clear sand yourself — just passing on what you notice is perfect.

Friendly Volunteer Cleaning Tasks

Volunteers are never expected to carry out deep cleaning or specialist tasks. But a few small actions really help keep the venue welcoming:

• Picking up small bits of litter or cups left behind.
• Giving surfaces a quick wipe if they look messy.
• Letting the Duty Manager know if toilets need attention.
• Helping keep public areas tidy during busy events.

Anything you do is appreciated — and there’s no expectation to do more than you feel comfortable with.

Cleaning Contractors

We bring in professional cleaners:

• during large events
• after major events
• for occasional refresh cleans

They handle:

• deep cleaning
• toilet resets
• floor scrubbing (except the mechanical cleaner)
• post‑event clean‑downs

Volunteers don’t need to direct contractors — Plas Heli management handles all instructions.

Mechanical Floor Cleaner

Plas Heli has a mechanical floor cleaner for large areas. This machine is:

• only operated by trained volunteers
• used when floors need a deeper clean
• kept in a secure area when not in use

If you’re not trained, please don’t use the machine — just let the Duty Manager know if the floor needs attention.

Event Days

Events can make the venue busier and messier than usual. Volunteers can help by:

• keeping an eye on toilets and letting the Duty Manager know if they need a refresh
• tidying small items in public areas
• helping keep walkways clear
• passing on any cleaning needs to the Duty Manager

Contractors may also be on site during large events to help keep things under control.

Areas Managed by the Catering Franchisee

The Franchisee is responsible for cleaning:

• the Kitchen
• the Bar
• catering stores
• catering preparation areas
• the first‑floor catering toilets

Volunteers do not need to clean or tidy any catering areas.

Areas Managed by Plas Heli

Plas Heli looks after all other areas, including:

• toilets (except first‑floor catering toilets)
• public spaces
• balcony
• meeting rooms
• corridors
• event rooms
• showers (including sand awareness)

Volunteers simply help keep these areas tidy and welcoming.

If You Notice Something

If you spot something that needs attention, the best thing you can do is simply:

• tell the Duty Manager
• describe what you saw
• say where it is

You don’t need to fix it yourself — just passing on the information is perfect.

Duty Manager Notes

Duty Managers coordinate cleaning needs. Volunteers support by:

• helping keep areas tidy
• passing on cleaning issues
• helping visitors when needed

Volunteers are never expected to carry out formal cleaning duties or deep cleaning tasks.