We are thrilled to be celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Living Wage Friendly Funder scheme!
Living Wage Friendly Funders support charities to pay the Living Wage through their grant-making, working together to end low pay in the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Since launching, the scheme has grown from five to twelve funders leading the way across the private, public and third sectors.
The twelve Living Wage Friendly Funders are: People's Health Trust, Trust for London, SSE Plc, Standard Life Plc, Barrow Cadbury Trust, City Bridge Trust, Comic Relief, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, London Borough of Islington, The Friends Provident Charitable Foundation, The Nationwide Foundation, and Walcot Foundation.
John Hume, Chief Executive, People's Health Trust, said:
People's Health Trust is proud to have worked with the Living Wage Foundation to support the launch and development of the Living Wage Friendly Funder Scheme. This is a hugely important initiative that is helping to bring an end to low pay in the Voluntary and Community Sector. We want to see the Living Wage become the norm, and believe that funding organisations can lead the way in making this happen within the Voluntary Sector. The Living Wage is helping to lift people out of working poverty and benefits everyone.
Debbie Pippard, Head of Programmes, Barrow Cadbury, said:
The Barrow Cadbury Trust has always looked to tackle the root causes of problems, not just symptoms. Supporting those we grant fund  to become Living Wage Employers, and ensuring that no post we contribute to is paid less than the Living Wage helps ensure that work in the charity sector always pays decently. By being part of the scheme we can join our voice with others to create a critical mass of funder support.
James Bradshaw, Project Manager, Killisick Connecting Community Programme (Funded at Living Wage by People's Health Trust), said:
Being paid the Living Wage really makes a difference. Just having that extra bit of money in your pocket makes life a bit easier. I'd say to any employer thinking of paying the Living Wage to do it because it helps you to feel valued in your work and happy doing what you're doing, so it benefits everyone.
Cat McCafferty, Juniors Coach, Community Hoops for All (Funded at Living Wage by People's Health Trust), said:
I would say the Living Wage has definitely helped; it benefits me a lot. I struggle with getting to certain coaching sessions so it has helped me with my travel. At the end of the day it all builds up and it does make a big difference.