Lifelink was awarded the prestigious 'Living Hours Champion' prize for our commitment as a Living Hours Employer. This was in recognition that we had gone beyond not only paying the real Living Wage, but also offering Living Hours contracts to all of our staff, and lead the way as an early adopter of the Living Hours accreditation.

At last night’s Living Wage Champion Awards, Lifelink was recognised for its leadership in committing to offering Living Hours to all their staff. This means offering a minimum of 16 hours a week (unless otherwise requested), 4 weeks’ notice periods with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within that period and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked. During a cost-of-living crisis, decent notice of shifts and guaranteed working patterns is essential to ensure secure and reliable work for all, alongside earning a real Living Wage.

Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: "We are thrilled to congratulate this year’s Living Wage Champion Award winners for their outstanding commitment to the real Living Wage. These exemplary employers have gone above and beyond to ensure that all workers are paid enough to live decent lives, demonstrating their dedication to fair pay and dignity in the workplace. After years of high living costs, it’s still so important.

By championing the real Living Wage, these organisation are not only transforming the lives of their employees, but are also setting a powerful example within their industries and communities. Because of their impressive leadership, record numbers of businesses have been inspired to accredit despite extremely challenging economic conditions, with now over 15,000 employers committed to always paying their workers in line with the cost of living. I warmly congratulate Lifelink on their well-deserved award and thank them for their support on the Living Wage movement.”

Jennifer Gordon, our HR Director here at Lifelink said: "We are honoured to win the Living Hours Champion Award. As a registered charity and non-profit specialising in mental health and wellbeing, Lifelink is deeply committed to supporting our community and our team. Being a Living Hours Champion means providing reasonable hours of work and fair pay, reflecting our core values and dedication to our employees' well-being. This award recognises the hard work and passion of our entire team. We are really proud to be acknowledged as a Living Hours Champion. Thank you to the Living Wage Foundation for this award and to our amazing team for their unwavering dedication. Together, we are making a real difference.”

The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. In 2024 they were held in Cardiff for the first time ever in recognition of the strength and growth of the movement in the region.