Aberdeen-based charity Somebody Cares SCIO has been formally accredited as a Real Living Wage employer, committing to pay all staff a wage that reflects the true cost of living — a move the organisation says reflects its core values of dignity, community, and compassion for every person it serves and employs.
The Real Living Wage, set independently by the Living Wage Foundation, is based on what people actually need to meet the cost of living. It is distinct from the UK Government’s National Living Wage and currently stands at £13.45 per hour across the UK (rising to £14.80 in London). Accreditation means Somebody Cares Scotland has made a voluntary, publicly recognised commitment to pay every employee, including any contracted and regularly outsourced staff, at least this rate.
Somebody Cares SCIO provides vital support to people and families across Aberdeen and the surrounding area, including food bank services, free furniture provision, and a range of community support programmes. The charity employs a dedicated team of staff whose work directly underpins its mission to help those in need.
Commenting on the accreditation, the charity’s CEO, Yekemi Otaru noted: “I’m so proud and delighted that Somebody Cares SCIO has achieved Real Living Wage accreditation. It’s a commitment I’ve wanted us to make since I began as CEO in 2024, and we are now in a position to do that. Nobody should have to choose between paying their bills and doing work they believe in, and this accreditation means our staff don’t have to.”
Ryan Swan, the Chair of the Board of Trustees said: “The Board of Trustees and I fully support the decision to award all staff at least the Real Living Wage. A significant volume of work has been undertaken to ensure that the charity could both financially allow for this change and maintain the level of service currently offered, however, it has been worth the effort.”
Somebody Cares SCIO joins a growing movement of over 16,000 accredited Living Wage employers across Scotland and the UK. The Living Wage Foundation’s accreditation scheme recognises employers who go above and beyond the legal minimum, choosing to ensure their workforce is paid enough to live on.
For more information about Somebody Cares Scotland and the work it does in Aberdeen, please visit https://somebodycaresscotland.org or follow the charity on social media.