A Real Living Wage for the North East – The Difference It Makes

We’ll celebrate the achievements of the Living Wage City campaigns in Sunderland and Newcastle and look ahead to working with key employers and the Combined Authority’s new SHINE accreditation to make the North East a Living Wage Region and the home of real opportunity for all.

What to Expect

• Insights from accredited Living Wage Employers going above and beyond for their teams

• Powerful stories from local leaders and communities affected by low pay and insecurity

• A focus on the connection between low wages and child poverty – and how we can change it

• Practical examples of the benefits businesses gain from committing to the real Living Wage

As the event falls on Remembrance Day, we will take a one-minute silence at 11am to honour all of those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Get Involved

This event is a chance to find out how you can help build a stronger local economy that works for employers, employees and communities.

Our speaker lineup will feature regional leaders and practitioners who are shaping the Living Wage movement and good employment practices in the region. Confirmed contributors include Amanda Bailey (North East Child Poverty Commission), Sarah Munro and Hayley Duff (Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art), and Caroline Preston (SHINE Accreditation Lead at the North East Combined Authority). Additional speakers will be announced in the run-up to the event. Let us know if you've got a Living Wage story you'd like to share.

Sector Roundtables

Following the main session, there will be 90-minute sector-specific roundtables for leaders to share learning and plan next steps for fair pay in the region. Spaces are limited and by invitation.

Themes include:

• Procurement

• Creative and Culture

• Education

• VCSE

If you’d like to take part, please indicate this when registering. We’ll confirm details individually.

Travel and Venue

The Baltic is located at Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, NE8 3BA:

• 10–15 minutes’ walk from Gateshead Interchange

• 15–20 minutes’ walk from Newcastle Central Station via the Millennium Bridge

• Served by Voltra 53 and 54 buses every 12 minutes from both Newcastle and Gateshead

Walking route from Gateshead Town Centre - head down West Street, turn right onto Askew Road, then left at the traffic lights under the train bridge. Bear left down Bottle Bank with the iconic Tyne Bridge on your right and the Hilton on your left.

Cross at the bottom, take the first right along Hillgate, passing under the Tyne Bridge. Follow the River Tyne as the road becomes South Shore Road, pass The Glasshouse on your right, and you'll find Baltic Square on your left. This route is completely step-free too.

Please travel by public transport if possible.

Car Travel

Parking spaces are available in the Car Park, behind the Baltic. Follow Signage for 'Gateshead Quays' and 'Other Car Parks' until specific signage for Baltic Car Park becomes visible. Spaces are pay on exit and you can pay by card or cash.

Blue badge holders park free. For ticket validation please contact security via the intercom on exit. There are 4 additional Blue Badge parking spaces directly adjacent to Baltic on South Shore Road. Blue Badges must be displayed at all times.

Accessibility

There is level access into and within the building. The building has a hearing loop

Catering

Tea and coffee will be provided with dairy and plant milk options.

Snacks will be provided including gluten free and dairy free options

Photography

Please be aware that photography and videography will be taking place throughout this event. By attending, you consent to your image and likeness being captured and potentially used for promotional and archival purposes by the organisers. If you have any concerns or wish to opt out, please speak to a member of the event team.