We’ve been on a mission to discover the people behind the businesses that make our city a great place to work and do business. From charities to restaurants, record labels to marketing agencies, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the businesses – and the people – who are part of your Living Wage community.
First up, we have asked Alli Beddoes, CEO and Artistic Director, at Lighthouse, three quick questions to get to know their business and why they’re part of the campaign a little better:
Lighthouse is a Brighton-based arts charity that’s been part of the city’s cultural landscape for nearly 40 years. We focus on supporting young people in building careers in the creative and cultural sectors, particularly those who face systemic barriers. What sets us apart is our long-standing commitment to hands-on, real-world pathways that offer mentoring, training, and support, leading to tangible outcomes. 58% of our participants go into employment, while others return to education with a stronger sense of direction and purpose. Lighthouse’s success comes through trust, creativity, and deep community roots.
Becoming a Living Wage Employer is about aligning our values with our actions. We believe everyone deserves a fair standard of living, and that starts with fair pay. It’s not just good for workers; it strengthens morale, retention, and trust across the board. Our work is all about breaking down the barriers that young people face in the creative industries. But we can’t ignore the sector’s reputation for exploitative pay practices.
In 2023, a-n magazine released a report showing that many artists were earning below £2.60 an hour… far beneath the legal minimum. Some were even paid as little as £1.88 for exhibition-making work. This culture pushes out people without financial safety nets, especially those from working-class backgrounds. We became a Living Wage Employer to take a stand against this, ensuring that everyone we work with – from team members to participants, artists, and freelancers – is treated with equity and care.
Fair pay is fundamental. We can’t advocate for equity in the arts if we replicate the same harmful practices inside our organisation.
If we want to create real opportunities, we have to value people’s time, talent, and labour. Fair pay means fewer barriers, better mental health, and a more inclusive sector. It’s the baseline for building a creative community that’s open, sustainable, and diverse. We are proud that we have a policy of no volunteers (aside from our Board of Trustees) – everyone we work with receives an income.
A big thank you to Alli from Lighthouse for sharing these insights – and, of course, for being a Living Wage employer!
Can you help us reach 1000 Living Wage employers in Brighton & Hove?
Find out more about the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign here. If you think you’re already a Living Wage employer, or would like to sign up, head over to this page to get started (it’s free!)
"It’s a positive move for employers to consider the living wage. Brighton’s a great place to live and work, but not cheap. The living wage could make a big difference to a lot of people for whom the city is their home."
We believe that everyone deserves the right to the living wage.
As a relatively small business we recognise the vital importance of ensuring staff always feel respected and valued, they are the most important element in any successful business and so it's always been important to us that they be paid accordingly.
We believe in paying a wage that makes life in the city livable.
Paying people below the living wage is wrong for all sorts of reasons. Employers seeking to maximise profits at the expense of their employees and for them to have to be subsidised by the taxpayer is ridiculous. Pay people properly for a proper days work and we'll all be better off! Look after your people…
