"Were very proud to have been given this award and to pay the real Living Wage. It is simply the right thing to do and, we really hope that other local employers follow our lead."
Janet Tuohy, chief executive of Aspire,
Salford care provider – Aspire – has been given an accolade from the Living Wage Foundation for its commitment to its workforce.
Aspire, who is an accredited Living Wage employer, was awarded the “Beyond the Living Wage Champion Award” in recognition of the organisation’s leadership role in tackling in-work poverty and improving the wellbeing of employees, going above and beyond the Living Wage rate.
Aspire, which has its headquarters at Humphrey Booth Resource Centre in Swinton, has a total of 290 employees, who provide person centred support services to people in Salford, supporting adults and young people with complex needs, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, older people and people living with dementia.
The organisation, which is a community interest company, is committed to being a Living Wage employer, paying £9 or above to all employees – including apprentices – which is the Living Wage rate that has been set by the Living Wage Foundation and is higher than that set by the Government.
Janet Tuohy, chief executive of Aspire, said: “We’re very proud to have been given this award and to pay the real Living Wage. Paying the real Living Wage is simply the right thing to do and, we really hope that other local employers follow our lead.
“We value each and every one of our workforce who are dedicated to the work that they do – and it is only right that they get paid in a way that reflects their hard work in providing a range of services in the community to enabling individuals to fulfil their aspirations and live full independent lives.”
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage set by the Government from April 2019 ranges from £3.90 for an apprentice to £8.21 for those 25 and over from April 2019.
Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “Our awards are an opportunity to recognise the fantastic businesses who continue to recognise the importance of a wage that truly covers the cost of living, and the value this provides for workers and their families, as well as businesses.”
The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate notable employers that pay the Living Wage, which this year were hosted by money saving expert Martin Lewis at Guildhall, London. The awards were sponsored by Aviva, Heathrow and City of London.
