Aspire Community Works has been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, celebrating its impactful BetterforUs campaign aimed at tackling low-paid and insecure work in London’s public services and everyday economy.
- BetterforUs challenges low-paid work in publicly funded services.
- Campaign promotes Real Living Wage and flexible careers.
- Wider programmes focus on green skills and workplace redesign.
What happened
Aspire Community Works received the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category. This prestigious award recognised their BetterforUs campaign, which focuses on improving pay, job quality, and access to employment throughout London’s everyday economy, particularly in publicly funded roles. Aspire holds the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard at Excellence level, reflecting their leadership in fair work.
The BetterforUs campaign actively challenges the prevalence of low-paid and insecure jobs by encouraging public sector procurement to demand better wages and conditions. The organisation also runs complementary initiatives like Growing Green Circles, which helps people gain skills for green jobs and community projects, and Frameshifters, supporting employers to improve work practices and inclusivity.
Why it feels good
This recognition highlights a positive step towards fairer, more sustainable employment across one of the world’s biggest cities. By targeting low-paid work and supporting progression, Aspire Community Works is helping widen economic opportunity for thousands of Londoners who often face insecure and low-wage jobs.
Using public procurement to influence better jobs means the campaign not only improves livelihoods but also enhances public services, providing both social and economic benefits. The focus on flexible working and green skills signals a forward-thinking approach that aligns with today’s evolving job market and environmental concerns.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on Aspire Community Works’ expanding projects, including Growing Green Circles, which offers pathways into environmental roles that contribute to community well-being and sustainability. This initiative presents new opportunities for those looking to combine meaningful work with positive climate action.
Another promising area to watch is Frameshifters, which helps organisations reshape their work cultures to be more inclusive and accessible. Such efforts not only benefit employees but can inspire other employers across the UK and beyond to rethink how they create better, fairer jobs for all.