This week (9th to 15th November) is Living Wage Week, and this year the Living Wage movement is celebrating 25 years of campaigning. It is a good moment to say clearly where Salford CVS stands, why we pay the real Living Wage, and why we believe it matters so much for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Salford.

Salford CVS has been an accredited Living Wage Employer since 2013. In 2018 we also became an accredited Living Wage Funder, because the way we give out grants can help other organisations pay fairly too. Our position is simple: everyone who works for us, and everyone in the jobs we fund and advertise, should earn enough to live on.

That commitment shows up in our day-to-day work:

• We pay all our staff at least the real Living Wage.
• Since 2018 we have asked organisations applying to us for funding whether they pay the real Living Wage.
• Jobs advertised on our website and the GM Recruitment Hub must pay at least the real Living Wage.
• We work with partners across the city on Salford's ambition to be England's first Living Wage City.

Alison Page, Chief Executive of Salford CVS, said: "We have paid the real Living Wage since 2013 because we believe a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay. Our sector exists to tackle poverty, so it matters that the people doing that work can afford to live in the communities they serve. We know budgets are tight, which is why we use our role as a funder to help make fair pay possible across Salford's VCSE sector."

So what exactly is the real Living Wage? It is the only UK wage rate based on what people actually need to live on, covering everyday costs such as rent, food, energy and transport. It is calculated independently for the Living Wage Foundation, and employers choose to pay it.

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On 15th October 2026 the new rates were announced: £14.10 an hour across the UK and £15.45 in London. That is £1.39 an hour more than the government's legal minimum, the National Living Wage of £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over. The Living Wage Foundation says the new UK rate is worth over £2,700 more a year than the legal minimum for a full-time worker. Accredited employers have until 1st May 2027 to bring in the new rate.

We support the real Living Wage for three reasons. First, it is about our values. Many of the people our sector works alongside are living with the cost of living crisis every day. We cannot ask for fairness for our communities while paying our own staff less than they need to get by.

Second, it is good for organisations. Employers who pay the real Living Wage report better staff retention, easier recruitment and staff who feel valued. For a small charity, where losing one experienced worker can put a whole project at risk, keeping good people matters.

Third, it is good for Salford. Fair pay helps reduce in-work poverty and means fewer working people have to rely on in work benefits to make ends meet.

Our sector exists to tackle poverty and inequality, yet low pay can still be found within it. Roles such as care workers, charity shop staff and entry-level posts are among those most likely to be paid below the real Living Wage. 

We know the pressures are real. Funding is often short term, contracts rarely keep pace with inflation, and many small groups run on very tight budgets. That is exactly why funders and commissioners have a part to play. When funding is set at a level that covers fair pay, organisations can pay their staff properly without cutting the services people rely on. As a Living Wage Funder, we try to build this into how we fund, and we encourage other funders and commissioners across Salford and Greater Manchester to do the same.

Paying the real Living Wage also strengthens our voice. When we speak up for the communities we serve, we can do so knowing we are practising what we preach.

What you can do this Living Wage Week

• Check your pay rates against the new £14.10 rate, including for part-time and sessional staff.
• Find out about becoming accredited through the Living Wage Foundation.
• If you fund or commission services, check whether your grants and contracts allow organisations to pay the real Living Wage.

Twenty-five years on, the Living Wage movement has shown that fair pay is possible. Salford's VCSE sector has helped lead the way, and we want to keep going together, so that a hard day's work always earns a fair day's pay.

Finding a Treasurer is often one of the toughest tasks for charity boards. Here are some practical tips to help you find finance professionals who offer both financial skills and a real passion for your organisation's mission.

For many charities, finding a Treasurer can seem nearly impossible. While financial oversight is important, the Treasurer does much more than just review accounts or present reports. A great Treasurer helps boards make good decisions, improve governance, manage risks, and support long-term stability.

The good news is there are now more ways to connect with talented people who want to use their financial skills for good. So, where do you begin?

Start with your networks

Your existing Board

The old saying, 'it's not what you know, it's who you know', still holds when it comes to trustee recruitment.

Trustees represent your organisation and should help find and attract new board members. Make sure your board knows what skills you need and has a role description and recruitment pack to share with their contacts.

Your current trustees may belong to:

• Professional membership bodies
• Business networks
• Chambers of Commerce
• Voluntary sector networks
• Faith groups
• Community organisations
• Professional LinkedIn groups

Personal recommendations can help you find great candidates who might not have thought about becoming a trustee before.

Think beyond qualified accountants

Many charities think their Treasurer must be a qualified accountant. While these qualifications are helpful, they are not the only way to ensure good financial governance.

You may find an excellent Treasurer among:

• Finance Managers
• Finance Business Partners
• Auditors
• Risk professionals
• Treasury specialists
• Charity finance staff
• Bookkeepers
• Fundraising professionals with budget management experience
• Small business owners
• Retired finance professionals

The most important thing is to find someone who is comfortable with financial information, understands risk, can ask helpful questions, and is ready to support the board in making good decisions.

Many charities benefit from trustees who bring financial knowledge, strategic thinking, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to the organisation's purpose.

Engage professional networks

Professional bodies and finance networks are great places to find candidates.

Consider promoting opportunities through:

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Recruiter Services | ICAEW Recruiter services
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) ACCA Careers | Recruiter Services

Many finance professionals want to grow their leadership skills, give back to their community, and use their expertise for a good cause. Being a trustee can also help their own professional and personal development.

Connect with local businesses

Many businesses encourage their employees to volunteer and take on board roles as part of their social responsibility and leadership development goals.

Consider approaching:

• Local accountancy firms
• Banks and financial institutions
• Housing associations
• Large local employers
• Professional services firms

Being a trustee gives staff valuable leadership experience and helps charities improve their governance.

Make your opportunity compelling

Start with the 'why'

Most people do not become trustees just because of the role description.

They become trustees because they care about the cause.

Before you advertise your vacancy, think about why someone would want to join your board. What difference can they make? Who benefits from your work? What impact could they have?

Share your mission and the impact you make before listing the technical requirements of the role.

A strong story about the difference your organisation makes is often more powerful than a long list of duties.

Be clear about expectations

Give clear information about:

• The organisation's mission and activities
• Board meeting frequency
• Committee commitments
• Expected time commitment
• Length of trustee term
• Whether meetings are online, in-person or hybrid
• Skills and experience sought

The clearer you are, the more likely you will attract candidates who are a good match.

Use the right recruitment channels

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is still one of the best places to find finance trustees.

Ask current trustees, staff, and supporters to share opportunities with their own networks. Candidates often respond better when they hear about roles from people they know.

Reach Volunteering

Reach Volunteering is still one of the UK's top platforms for trustee recruitment and works especially well for finding people with finance, governance, and leadership experience.

The Young Trustees Movement

If your organisation wants a more diverse board and hopes to attract younger finance professionals, the Young Trustees Movement is a great resource. It supports trustees aged 30 and under and helps organisations improve inclusive recruitment.

The Honorary Treasurers Forum

The forum has a vacancies page where charities can share treasurer and finance trustee roles with experienced finance professionals who want to help the VCSE sector.

Current vacancies for treasurers of charities – The Honorary Treasurers Forum – Honorary Treasurers Forum

Recruitment Platforms

In addition, some job recruitment platforms advertise trustee and volunteer opportunities for free or at a reduced cost.

These include:

• Third Sector Jobs jp.thirdsector.co.uk/packages?usertype=recruiters
• TPP Advertise volunteer roles with your charity or non-profit | TPP Recruitment
• Charity Job Advertise a Job | Charity Recruitment | CharityJob Recruiter

Salford CVS Volunteer Portal

At Salford CVS, our Volunteer Portal is a free and easy way to advertise trustee roles and connect with local people who want to support community organisations. It helps you find trustees with professional skills and a strong link to Salford and its communities.

Your website

Your website is usually the first place potential trustees look.

Make sure it includes:

• Information about your mission and impact
• Details about your board
• Annual reports and accounts
• Current trustee vacancies
• Contact details for informal conversations

Keeping your website up to date helps candidates learn about your organisation and trust your governance.

Support your new Treasurer to succeed

Recruitment is just the first step.

Once appointed, a new Treasurer should receive:

• A thorough trustee induction
• Recent management accounts
• Annual reports and audited accounts
• Key policies and governance documents
• Information about financial controls
• Access to trustee training
• Ongoing support from the Chair and board

Even experienced finance professionals may be new to charity governance, so giving them a warm and helpful induction is important.

To support this, at Salford CVS we run “How to be a Good Trustee – The basics” sessions throughout the year. Check our events page for details Training and Events | Salford CVS.

Looking to the future

Strong financial governance is key for your organisation's sustainability, resilience, and impact. Finding a Treasurer can take time, but groups that clearly communicate their purpose, recruit inclusively, and use professional networks are finding talented people who want to help.

The best Treasurers offer more than technical skills. They bring curiosity, fresh ideas, insight, and a real commitment to helping the organisation reach its goals. Their value goes far beyond the balance sheet.

If your organisation needs to recruit a Treasurer or Finance Trustee, the Salford CVS Development Team can help with trustee recruitment, governance advice, board development, and training.

Together, we can ensure your charity has the skills, leadership, and financial oversight it needs to succeed.