Employer case studies and success stories

Supporting staff and wellbeing with the Oxford Living Wage 

In-Spire Sounds was created by a group of freelancers who wanted to do things differently. Having seen how other organisations treated freelance staff, they decided to build fair pay and wellbeing into the heart of their ethos. 

“We have always paid above the living wage - our organisation was formed by a team of freelancers who came together because we were unhappy with how many of the organisations we had worked with were operating and treating their freelance staff. We have an ethos of making sure our team members are paid a wage that is sustainable for them.” 

As a mental health-focused charity, In-Spire Sounds believes paying the Oxford Living Wage is about more than finances, it’s about looking after their people. 

They’ve seen the benefits too. Staff are able to keep living in Oxford despite the city’s high housing costs, and fair pay has boosted efficiency, wellbeing, and retention. 

“We believe that there are economic benefits, benefits to efficiency, staff wellbeing and turnover which all contribute to a successful business.”