- Norwich Theatre was awarded the prestigious prize for its outstanding, consistent, and impactful advocacy for the Living Wage movement over the past twelve months
- This year, Norwich Theatre has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of the Living Wage network, to nearly 17,000 Living Wage Employers
At last night’s Living Wage Champion Awards, Norwich Theatre was recognised for its remarkable leadership in advancing the real Living Wage, and its huge impact on the growth of the movement in the third sector.
Since becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer in 2023, Norwich Theatre has shown sustained and influential leadership in championing fair pay across the cultural sector and the wider region. Through a strategic campaign of advocacy, national and regional media engagement, participation in public events and close partnership working, Norwich Theatre has actively made the case for the Living Wage as both a moral imperative and a driver of organisational success. By sharing transparent, data-led insights, including significantly reduced staff turnover, improved morale and recruitment savings, Norwich Theatre has helped shift perceptions and contributed to a growing movement that positions fair pay as central to resilient, values-led organisations.
Graham Griffiths, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: “These awards are such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and passion that has gone into growing the Living Wage movement over the last 25 years, and I congratulate all of the winners on their outstanding achievement. With nearly 17,000 Living Wage Employers, almost 300 Living Hours Employers, and over 100 Living Pension Employers now accredited, together we are proving that it is possible to create work that works for everyone. With the vital help of committed advocates, our campaign has driven up standards of employment and transformed millions of people’s lives already, building a legacy that has changed the world of work for the better. I warmly congratulate Norwich Theatre on their well-deserved award and thank them for their support for the Living Wage movement.”
Rebecca Lyon, Head of Advocacy at Norwich Theatre said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award. As an independent charity, becoming a Living Wage Employer is one of the clearest ways we can put our values into practice. We’ve seen the difference it makes to our colleagues and to our organisation, reducing turnover and building a more resilient and committed workforce. It also reflects the ‘third way’ we’re championing through the Regional Independent Theatre Alliance: mission-driven, financially responsible, and rooted in our communities. We’re proud to use our voice to advocate for fair pay, and to stand alongside others working to make it the norm across our sector and our city.”
The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. The movement began 25 years ago in East London and has been recognised as one of the most successful civil society campaigns of the 21st century. The ceremony was held in London to mark this milestone year and the origins of the movement.
