A WINCHESTER charity, which provides care homes and community services for people later in life, is increasing staff pay to the ‘real living wage’ and above.

The Brendoncare Foundation, based in Victoria Road, is enforcing the pay rise this month to help employees cope with the cost of living crisis.

The three per cent increase will mean all 603 workers are earning at least the recommended real Living Wage level of £10.90 an hour with many earning even more.

READ MORE: Brendoncare launches new community clubs in Winchester

The charity’s director of people and culture, Aileen Ohlson, said: “Brendoncare is constantly looking at ways in which to support colleagues, making everyone working for us feel fairly rewarded. We are therefore delighted to announce that we are now offering the real living wage for all our colleagues.

“We will continue to work on how we introduce more benefits and how we support everyone to be able to develop and value being part of the Brendoncare community.”

Brendoncare’s new hourly rate will be available to all employees, irrespective of their age or years of service, and to those who have recently joined or are about to start.

Staff working at the care homes are already entitled to a free meal of either a hot or packed lunch each time they work, regardless of their role or length of shift.

SEE ALSO: Winchester to welcome NAAFI café to St Georges Street in April

Other benefits include membership to the Blue Light Card, which gives access to more than 15,000 discounts for people working in the care industry.

Brendoncare runs eight care homes and five extra care housing locations across the south of England. The organisations ‘Care for Life’ aims to provide security to residents and their families by ensuring that resident can receive financial support if needed to stay with Brendoncare.

The service also offers community clubs across Dorset and Hampshire for older people who may otherwise be lonely.

For more information on Brendoncare and its current vacancies go to brendoncare.org.uk or call 01962 852133.