MORE than 50 employees have received a 10% pay rise across St Helens care facilities, in order to meet the 'real living wage' during the cost of living crisis.
Making Space, an adult health and social care charity with three facilities in St Helens, announced last month that it will join the real living wage campaign to pay all employees a minimum of £10.90 per hour.
As the cost of living crisis continues to cause financial difficulties, the real living wage is an independent calculation on what employees need to earn to get by.
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With national minimum wages varying from £5.28 to £10.42 an hour, more than 12,000 businesses have signed up to pay their employees a wage that keeps up with inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Supporting carers and residents in the Greengate House care home in Thatto Heath and Sherdley Court in Rainhill, as well as the St Helens Supported Housing programme, Making Space has signed up to the real living wage campaign for the second year running.
The 10.1% increase will see full-time support workers with Making Space earn an additional £1,950 each year.
Taking into account last year's rise of £1,700, frontline workers with the charity are now earning £3,650 a year more than in 2021. Those on wages equal to or exceeding £10.90 per hour will also see their annual income increase.
Staff have also received a generous benefits package, including a contributory pension, savings on holidays and gym membership discounts, and private mental health support.
Rachel Peacock, CEO, Making Space, said: “Frontline social care workers do one of the most important jobs in society, that is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“The efforts of everyone at Making Space are nothing short of incredible and my colleagues have my absolute admiration.
“We truly value the hard work, commitment and sacrifice of the dedicated people who provide the best quality care and support to the people that use our services.
“Despite the ongoing challenges of their roles, our Making Space colleagues continue to provide outstanding care and support at our services all over the UK.
"They are professional and skilled people who deserve to be paid at a level that takes account of the real cost of living, which is why we are committed to paying the Real Living Wage."
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