The Living Wage Foundation's Friendly Funders Network met this month at an event chaired by the Trust's Chief Executive, John Hume.
The event was an opportunity to engage with other funders, share experiences of implementing the scheme, and develop new ways to extend their reach and impact.
The event included presentations from Cardiff University and NCVO - as well as a discussion around possible recommendations for funders, commissioners, policy makers and charities.
John was recently appointed as Chair of the Living Wage Friendly Funder Committee for the Living Wage Foundation.
The Living Wage Foundation's Friendly Funders network is made up of organisations who support charities to pay the real Living Wage and promote it in the sector.
Research on the Living Wage published by NCVO, with data drawn from ONS’ Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics, revealed that since 2015, the voluntary sector’s workforce has increased by three per cent, to 853,000 people.
It highlighted that 70 per cent of female workers in the charity sectors earned above the Living Wage, compared to 79 per cent of male workers.
Looking at the impact of paying the Living Wage on organisations, research from Cardiff University found that many Living Wage employers didn’t have to make major changes to afford to pay the Living Wage.
There was a lively discussion around the Living Wage, which touched on other key issues such as volunteering in the sector.
The event looked at the extent of low pay in the charity sector and the potential to work together to make significant change in the sector.
There are now 28 Living Wage Friendly Funders enabling the real Living Wage through grant-making.
To read more about Living Wage Friendly Funders, click here.
