CONCRETE YOUTH BECOMES LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER AND LAUNCHES 4-DAY WORKING WEEK TRIAL

Concrete Youth, an award-winning charity dedicated to increasing cultural provision for people labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities, is proud to announce two developments in its commitment to nurturing a positive, inclusive, and forward-thinking working culture.

The charity has been formally accredited as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation, reaffirming its long-standing practice of ensuring fair pay across its entire workforce. Since its formation, Concrete Youth has consistently paid at least the real Living Wage and/or industry standard rates to all staff and freelancers. This new accreditation formalises that ongoing commitment and reinforces the organisation’s dedication to fair and transparent employment practices.

In tandem with this milestone, Concrete Youth is also embarking on a six-month trial of a 4-day working week for all workers of the charity, including permanent staff and freelance teams across its touring and education departments. Informed by research from the 4 Day Week Foundation, the trial will retain 100% of pay while reducing working hours by 20%. The initiative is designed to foster a healthier work-life balance, boost wellbeing, and support long-term sustainability for all those working within the charity’s high-impact environment.

These two initiatives coincide with a period of exciting growth and innovation at Concrete Youth. With a national education programme underway, the landmark West End production Sensory Cinders, and an upcoming research project that will lead to a new sensory theatre production, the charity continues to push boundaries both on and off stage.

Daniel Swift FRSA, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Concrete Youth, commented: “Our accreditation as a Living Wage Employer and our trial of a four-day working week are natural next steps in our journey—central to our mission surrounding kindness, support and care for those we work with. Our industry is often fast-paced and demanding, so it’s vital we actively create space for people to thrive. We’re excited to see what a more balanced, more considered working culture can unlock—not only in our staff and artists but across our wider community of collaborators. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to listening, learning and leading with care.”

Rajwant Kaur Singh, Chair of Concrete Youth, said: "We strive for kindness to be at the heart of all we do, and our progression to becoming an accredited Living Wage employer and trialing a four-day working week reflects a commitment to the well-being of our team(s). This aligns with a belief that creativity thrives when people are valued and well; we want to ensure those we work with have what they need to be at their best, in order to create the best cultural provision possible for people labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities."

Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that Concrete Youth has joined the movement of over 15,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Concrete Youth, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay."

Joe Ryle, Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: "Congratulations to Concrete Youth for beginning a four-day week trial. With 50% more free time, moving to a four-day week gives workers the freedom to be able to live a happier and better life. As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers. The 9-5, 5 day working week was invented 100 years ago and no longer suits the realities of modern life. We are long overdue an update.”