POW are Creative Sector Winners at London Living Wage Awards (and made the trophy!)
POW Directors, Robyn and Alex receive their award.
Park Royal Open Workshop (POW) is proud to announce our participation in the London Living Wage in Ealing Awards as both trophy creator and award winner! We're thrilled to have won the Creative Sector Award, recognizing our commitment to fair pay in the creative industries. The ceremony, which took place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the University of West London Students' Union, celebrated organizations committed to fair pay in our borough.
The London Living Wage, currently set at £13.85 per hour, ensures workers in London earn enough to afford essentials and save for the future. Ealing has recently become the first borough in west London to be officially recognized as a Living Wage Place, joining only 17 others across the UK. This recognition highlights our borough's commitment to fair pay and decent living standards.
As a not-for-profit workshop dedicated to making creative skills and tools accessible to all, we're particularly honored to contribute to an initiative that aligns so perfectly with our own values of community support and sustainability.
The Trophy Commission
POW was selected to create the trophies for the London Living Wage in Ealing Awards through our connection with the borough's economic development team. This commission recognizes our growing reputation for quality craftsmanship and our commitment to sustainable making practices.
For this special project, we sourced reclaimed mahogany from Retrouvius, the renowned architectural salvage and design company. Founded in 1993 by Adam Hills and Maria Speake, Retrouvius operates on the philosophy that "good materials and well-made things are precious" and deserve to be reconditioned and intelligently reused.
The production process utilized a large number of the machines housed in our London workshop, including a planer, thicknesser, mitre saw, band saw, palm router, laser engraver, and belt sander. You can see some of the stages of the process below:
POW as a London Living Wage Employer
At POW, we believe that fair pay is essential to creating a sustainable creative community. Our mission to "give everyone the chance to make it" extends beyond providing access to tools and space - it includes ensuring our team members can afford to live comfortably in London.
Research by the Living Wage Foundation shows that 94% of accredited employers report positive outcomes from paying the Living Wage, including improved staff recruitment and retention. We've experienced these benefits firsthand, with our team members expressing greater job satisfaction and financial security since our commitment to the Living Wage standard.
Conclusion
Creating the trophies for the London Living Wage in Ealing Awards has been a privilege that aligns with our values at POW. Through sustainable materials and thoughtful design, we've crafted awards that symbolize the lasting impact of fair wage practices on our community.
We invite all our members, supporters, and fellow makers to join us at the awards ceremony on March 27th at the University of West London Students' Union. The event will announce the winners across 11 categories as well as provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded organizations committed to ethical business practices.
For any local businesses interested in learning more about Living Wage accreditation, please visit the Living Wage Foundation's website or contact Ealing Council at invest@ealing.gov.uk. With nearly 70 employers already accredited in the borough, Ealing is building a community where fair pay is recognized as essential for both business success and community wellbeing.
To learn more about POW's facilities and services, book a tour or email us at hi@powworkshops.com.
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