We are proud to announce that The Foundry has been accredited as a Real Living Wage Building. Our award-winning former shoe polish factory was brought to life ten years ago becoming a thriving hub for social justice.
We are ensuring that people receive decent pay, the London Living Wage or higher, and tackle inequality head-on by lifting people out of in-work poverty and making sure that they are able to meet the needs of their families.
“The Living Wage accreditation is important because it reflects our collective commitment to valuing every individual’s work”
Living Wage Buildings are properties with multiple business tenants, all of whom agree to pay the Real Living Wage to their employees and contractors. This now applies to all 36 organisations based at The Foundry, all working towards social justice. “Being a Living Wage Building proves The Foundry is committed to a fair, equitable work environment where all employees, including those working in services like cleaning and maintenance, are paid at least the Real Living Wage”, Costescu adds.
The Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on the cost of living. It is voluntarily paid by over 15,000 UK businesses who believe their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs - like the weekly shop, or a surprise trip to the dentist. Over 460,000 employees have received a pay rise as a result of the Living Wage campaign, and the campaign enjoys cross-party support. There is a broad range of employers accredited with the Foundation including half of the FTSE 100 and big household names including Nationwide, Google, LUSH, as well as thousands of SMEs, including The Ethical Property Company and other partners of The Foundry.
“For our tenants, this accreditation strengthens our shared dedication to social justice and ethical practices. As a tenant of The Foundry, each organisation agrees to the Living Wage commitment, creating a consistent standard of fair pay across the building. This aligns with our values and promotes a sense of unity and respect among all who work here”, Costescu emphasises.
To support the accreditation, we have started a program of events to encourage more organisations to pay the Real Living Wage and to learn about the benefits for both employer and employees alike. Paying a real Living Wage improves the employer brand, boosts staff productivity and motivation at work. It also helps employers to remain competitive, retain existing staff and attract new staff. Over half of employers said paying a real Living Wage has improved the quality of applications for jobs.
Our tenant Jamie Hickling, who works as Head of Community at Strides, shared his experience: “I remember my first job with a well-known supermarket was paid at £2.01/hour and only just preceded the national minimum wage. I gained lots of skills, but this was outright exploitation. I love that Strides promises at least the London Living Wage and it’s good to hear that all of us at The Foundry agree”.
The Foundry has proven that when organisations come together great things can happen.
ABOUT US
The Foundry is a social justice and human rights focused centre providing work, conference, and community spaces, and is a joint venture between Trust for London, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, The Barrow Cadbury Trust, Lankelly Chase Foundation, and The Ethical Property Company which also manages this vibrant hub. Ethical Property believes that property should be used in the best interests of society, the planet, and the economy.