Making Norwich a Living Wage City

As a Living Wage employer since 2015, we are a proud member of the Norwich Living Wage Action Group. In October, the group’s campaign to substantially increase the number of accredited Living Wage Employers in the city was launched at Norwich Forum.

Speaking at the event, our Cleaning Coordinator Jesse Manning spoke powerfully about the impact of the Real Living Wage on his own life:

“I first started work for Broadland in 2018. When I got the chance to work for Broadland full time, it was the first time I had ever received the Real Living Wage. I was living in shared accommodation with a family with a small child. It was hard having to share a bathroom and kitchen with them, as I was outside their family unit. When I moved to other shared accommodation with single people, I encountered different issues.

“Being paid the Real Living Wage by Broadland made a real difference to my life. With the increase in wages I could actually start looking for a home of my own. My goal was to get my own flat and be more independent.

“I was lucky to get a social rented flat. The Real Living Wage helped me secure this tenancy because I could afford the rent, but also it was finally somewhere I could call home, where I could feel safe and secure. Having a stable home and a stable relationship gave my life and mental health a real boost. I will be forever grateful as this has really helped my life move on positively.

“The cost-of-living crisis has really bought into focus the importance of employers giving employees the Real Living Wage. Today, I am now able to afford to live in shared ownership property with my partner. I would never have been able to do this without receiving the Real Living Wage.

“As part of my role at Broadland, I am part of the team that reviews and award new contracts. A requirement of each new contract is that the company must pay the Real Living Wage. For me this so important, as it has made such a difference to my life. I like to think that it will help others in the same way as it has helped me.

“I am proud that Broadland are a Living Wage Employer, but also for the fact that it makes sure that its contractors pay the Real Living Wage too.”

“We are delighted that Norwich has been officially designated as a Living Wage Place. This recognition from the Living Wage Foundation signifies a collective commitment from dozens of employers in Norwich to deliver an action plan to drive up the number of accredited organisations and therefore lift thousands more people out of in-work poverty in the coming years.

“The Partnership at the heart of this work includes high-profile employers from the public, private and voluntary sectors – all working together to make Norwich a better place to live and work. Norwich is showing real leadership in this area.”

Daniel Childerhouse, CEO of Future Projects

“Norwich is a success story with an active Living Wage movement that has Living Wage accredited employers across all sectors of the city’s economy. But there is more to do, to take things to the next stage.”

Councillor Alan Waters, Leader of Norwich City Council and Chair of the Norwich Living Wage Action Group

Norwich Living Wage City Action Group

After the personal testimonies from employees, Broadland Housing Chief Executive Michael Newey (picture far right) joined representatives from Aviva and Norfolk Community Law Service to answer Q&As about the journey to real Living Wage accreditation.

Norwich City Council

Aviva

Broadland Housing Association

City College Norwich

Future Projects

Norfolk Community Law Service

Norwich Consolidated Charities

Phoenix Events (East) Ltd Unison

GMB Union

In-work poverty in Norwich

There are currently 50 Real Living Wage accredited employers in Norwich, meaning 1,114 workers have already received a pay rise that meets the real Living Wage. The group’s action plan aims to triple the number of employers paying the real Living Wage to 150 by 2025.

Despite high levels of employment in Norwich, between March 2020 and April 2021 the city saw Universal Credit claims increase by 112%. This compares with 89.3% across the UK and suggests a disproportionate rise in the number of people facing in-work poverty. The number of people in work, yet not earning enough to live, will inevitably rise as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

Norwich is home to many traditionally low-pay sectors, which means more people work in low-pay or insecure occupations. The key sectors that the action group will target to encourage employers to pay the real Living Wage are care, retail, hospitality, and property and construction.

Black History Month #Flourish talk

During Black History Month and as part of our #Flourish EDI (equality, diversity, inclusion) campaign, we were delighted to welcome Dr Victor Olisa to talk to staff.

Victor shared his impressive lived experience of 35+ years serving with the police, during some of the most turbulent periods in policing history, including the Miner’s Strike and the London riots.

His interactive session ‘Behind the headlines: the reality of policing and diversity’ gave staff practical ideas on how to take EDI forward within their organisation. His talk covered issues of trust, unconscious bias, hidden disabilities, and how to be an effective ally in the workplace.

Broadland staff joined employees from Orwell, Saffron, Havebury and Freebridge housing associations, our Independent East partners, for the event. The Independent East #Flourish campaign was launched in 2021 to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplaces and communities.