Youth Link: NI

Youth Link: NI is an inter-church youth work organisation founded in 1991 to promote mutual understanding, reconciliation, and the development of young people across Northern Ireland and the border counties. 

Based in Belfast, Youth Link supports youth workers, churches, and community groups through training, education, and peacebuilding programmes. As a registered charity, Youth Link works collaboratively across the Christian traditions to empower young people as agents of positive change. The organisation employs around 12 staff members alongside sessional workers and volunteers, delivering programmes accredited by OCNNI and other sectoral partners.

Motivation for Living Wage Accreditation

Youth Link: NI chose to accredit as a Living Wage Employer to demonstrate our commitment to fairness, dignity, and equality — values that are central to our mission and Christian ethos. We believe every employee should earn enough to meet the cost of living, reflecting the respect and value we place on their contribution. 

Accreditation also aligns with our vision of empowerment and social justice, showing leadership within the youth and faith sectors. By becoming a Living Wage Employer, we wanted to model good practice and contribute to a more equitable and compassionate Northern Ireland.

Implementation Process

Implementing the Living Wage at Youth Link involved reviewing our pay structures and contracts to ensure all staff and sessional workers were receiving at least the real Living Wage. We engaged our Finance and HR Sub-Committee to assess budget implications and confirm sustainability before board approval. Communication with staff and funders was transparent throughout the process. 

Once agreed, implementation took approximately three months, including administrative updates and submission for accreditation. The process strengthened our internal commitment to ethical employment practices and ensured our policies reflected the organisation’s mission and values in action.

Additional Workplace Changes

Alongside Living Wage accreditation, Youth Link reviewed our wider HR and wellbeing policies to ensure consistency with our ethos of respect and care. We enhanced staff wellbeing initiatives, expanded flexible working arrangements, and reaffirmed commitments to professional development and equality. 

We also updated our supplier and procurement policy to encourage ethical and fair employment practices among our partners. These actions ensured that the Living Wage commitment was part of a broader culture of fairness, dignity, and inclusion, supporting a motivated and values-driven working environment for all staff and volunteers.

Challenges and Barriers

The main challenge in accrediting as a Living Wage Employer was ensuring long-term financial sustainability, particularly in a funding environment where grants are often fixed or restricted. Youth Link addressed this by incorporating Living Wage costs into future funding applications and being transparent with funders about the importance of fair pay. 

Our Board and Finance Committee worked closely to model affordability and plan responsibly. Support from the Living Wage Foundation helped clarify the process and reassure trustees. Ultimately, strong alignment with our organisational values made the decision both manageable and morally compelling.

Benefits of Living Wage Accreditation

Accrediting as a Living Wage Employer has strengthened staff morale, retention, and trust within Youth Link. Employees report feeling valued and secure, which enhances motivation and performance. The accreditation has also improved our reputation as an ethical and caring employer, attracting quality staff and aligning us with like-minded partners. 

It has deepened our organisational credibility when advocating for justice and empowerment among young people. While small in size, Youth Link has seen tangible benefits in staff wellbeing, reduced turnover, and greater organisational pride — reinforcing that fairness and faith-based values go hand in hand.

Being paid the real Living Wage means I don’t have to worry about covering basic costs. It’s taken pressure off my family and made me feel genuinely valued by Youth Link. It shows they don’t just talk about fairness — they live it.

- Youth Link: NI employee

As a faith-based organisation committed to dignity and justice, paying the real Living Wage is an expression of our values. It’s about leading by example — ensuring our staff are treated.

- Joe McKeown, CEO, Youth Link: NI