Work and wages

Fair pay and safe working conditions support better mental health - but low or insecure pay, stress at work, or job loss can harm wellbeing. We’re working across south London to promote good, stable work and to boost wages where they matter most.

What we’re working on

Championing the Real Living Wage - Working with partners to ensure NHS trusts and councils in south London become Living Wage–accredited employers. This already lifted pay for thousands of people.
Supporting Living Hours - Going further to promote secure hours and predictable shifts—not just fair pay—to reduce financial stress.
Pilot services to support people facing work-related stress - Launching schemes like the Work Well advice line: a free phone service providing help to those dealing with job insecurity, stress, unemployment, or redundancy, starting in Lambeth and Southwark, with plans to expand.
Focused engagement with workforce pathways - Co-developing community-informed mental health careers days to make roles more accessible from underrepresented groups.

Our priorities

Ensure every NHS trust and borough council in south London pays the Real Living Wage.
Support employers to offer Living Hours for more predictable, fair employment.
Develop ESOL support to help people with English as a second language access better jobs
Scale the Work Well advice service across south London.
Make pathways into mental health careers more inclusive and community-led.