This Living Wage Week, Tarem Services is encouraging organisations that procure cleaning, construction labour and other essential services to recognise fair pay as part of service quality, responsible procurement and social value.

Why Tarem Services Exists

Tarem Services was founded in 1999 to tackle in-work poverty, particularly among cleaners.

We recognised the challenges faced by people working across multiple sites, travelling long distances and often receiving relatively few paid hours. Despite providing essential services, financial stability remained difficult to achieve.

Our belief remains unchanged: people performing essential work deserve fair pay, dignity and respect.

As a social enterprise, we believe business success should be measured by more than financial performance. It should also improve workforce wellbeing and contribute positively to the communities we serve.

Tackling In-Work Poverty Takes More Than One Employer

The Living Wage movement began in East London in 2001, with cleaners among the low-paid workers campaigning for better wages. Twenty-five years later, significant challenges remain.

According to the Living Wage Foundation’s A Real Living Wage: 25 Years In – Impact Report (2026), 4.4 million UK jobs are still paid below the real Living Wage.

That is why individual commitments are not enough. Organisations commissioning outsourced services also influence the pay and working conditions of the people delivering them. When contracts are awarded primarily on the lowest price, unrealistic budgets squeeze wages and working conditions.

Fair pay must therefore be considered when contracts are designed and awarded, not after the price has been agreed.

Three Questions for Responsible Procurement

Living Wage Week 2026 is a chance for every organisation to reconsider how it procures essential services.

• Is the contract priced to support fair wages? Sustainable pricing should recognise the true cost of delivering a reliable, professional service.
• Are working conditions considered alongside cost? Fair pay, reasonable working arrangements and employee wellbeing all matter.
• Does procurement recognise social value? Responsible employment practices should be part of how organisations assess potential suppliers.

These decisions affect the livelihoods of the people who clean workplaces, support construction projects and deliver essential services every day.

Turning Awareness Into Action

The Living Wage movement has made meaningful progress, but in-work poverty remains. At Tarem Services, tackling it has been central to our purpose since 1999.

Responsible procurement can help create a fairer environment for workers, and a more sustainable one for the services that depend on them.

Fair pay should not be an afterthought. It should be part of what responsible business means.

This Living Wage Week, we encourage every organisation to ask: does our procurement reflect the value of the people behind the service?

Source: Living Wage Foundation, A Real Living Wage: 25 Years In – Impact Report (2026).

The distribution took place on Friday 30 October 2026 at Craig Park Youth & Family Hub. The initiative aimed to support at least 100 people through the food provided.

Tarem Services volunteers worked alongside volunteers from Mears Group to prepare and distribute the food bags.

We thank everyone who contributed their time and Craig Park Youth & Family Hub for providing the venue.

Supporting Local Communities Facing Food Insecurity

Launched in October 2024, Tarem Services Mobile Foodbank forms part of our wider commitment to tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable communities.

Through this initiative, we provide practical assistance to households experiencing food insecurity, recognising the financial pressures facing many families.Our first distribution in Enfield represents another step in extending this support to communities where we serve.

We are already preparing for our next Mobile Foodbank distribution.

Since October 2024, the Tarem Services Mobile Foodbank has delivered 16 food distribution events, supporting over 2,688 people across London and beyond, including members of our own team.

From Croydon and Tower Hamlets to Woolwich, Birmingham, Fareham and beyond, we bring food directly to communities facing food insecurity.

Next Food Distribution: Edmonton, Enfield

Date: Friday 30 October 2026

Location: Craig Park Youth & Family Hub, Edmonton, Enfield

Why It Matters

None of this would be possible without our volunteers, clients, partners and local community organisations. We are grateful to everyone who has helped.

This milestone also reminds us that too many people, including those in work, still struggle to put food on the table. As a social enterprise committed to tackling in-work poverty, we know a job doesn’t always mean financial security.

We wish food banks weren’t needed. Yet while food insecurity persists, we remain committed to supporting communities in need.

Get Involved

Businesses, volunteers and community organisations are welcome to support future distributions.

Get in touch at community@taremservices.com or find out more about the Mobile Foodbank.

See the Mobile Foodbank in action: watch our reel on Instagram.

We recently presented Katherine with a Long Service Recognition Award to celebrate her many years of dedication, reliability and commitment, and the excellent cleaning services she consistently delivers to our client.

To mark the occasion, Katherine received a special hamper of treats, put together by Social Stories Club, a fellow social enterprise. It was a thoughtful way to say thank you while supporting another business that makes a positive difference.

Katherine’s response was simple: “I really appreciate this.”

Putting People First

As a social enterprise cleaning company, Tarem Services believes that valuing our people is key to building a fairer, more supportive workplace. Recognising long-serving employees like Katherine, and the experience they bring, is an important part of that.

Thank you to Social Stories Club for putting together such a beautiful hamper.

And thank you, Katherine, for your care, hard work and everything you do. We’re lucky to have you on our team.

Jade has achieved a Distinction in her Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship while working with Tarem Services. Today marks the completion of her apprenticeship.

Since joining us in April 2025, she has developed practical skills across SEO, content creation and social media. Jade has also supported our mobile foodbank and community distributions.

Reflecting on her time with us, Jade said:

“My time at Tarem Services has been a fantastic learning experience. I’ve developed valuable digital marketing skills, grown in confidence, and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received along the way.”

We are proud of Jade’s achievement and grateful for her contribution to Tarem Services.

Thank you to Leep Talent for supporting her development throughout the programme.

Congratulations, Jade. We’re cheering you on for whatever comes next!

Tarem Services has expanded its commercial cleaning services across 13 locations within the CBRE-managed Zurich property portfolio in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The expansion reflects the continued confidence placed in Tarem Services by CBRE and Zurich, and strengthens the company’s position as a trusted national cleaning provider. It also creates further opportunities to deliver social value by supporting employees, investing in communities and promoting environmental sustainability.

Titus Komolafe, Managing Director of Tarem Services, said:

“We are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by CBRE and Zurich. This expansion allows us to deliver high-quality services across more locations while creating employment opportunities and investing further in our communities. As a social enterprise, we remain committed to supporting our employees, tackling in-work poverty and delivering meaningful value for our clients.”

Laura Bennett, CBRE Account Director, said:

“Tarem Services has consistently delivered a high standard of service across the Zurich UK property portfolio. Their ability to combine innovative service delivery with a genuine commitment to social value has helped us achieve both our operational and wider social value objectives. Together with a highly competitive offering, this has made them a trusted partner and we are pleased to continue expanding our relationship with them.”

Supporting Sustainability

Alongside the expansion, Tarem Services has offset 20 tonnes of CO₂ through the Verified Carbon Standard with Carbon Footprint Ltd.

The company has also purchased ten UK Trees through the UK Tree Planting Programme, supporting tree planting in schools and communities, together with ten Kenya Trees to support reforestation projects in the Great Rift Valley.

This announcement has also been featured by Facilities Management Journal, where you can read additional industry coverage of the expansion.

About Tarem Services

Founded in 1999 with support from The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust), Tarem Services Limited is a social enterprise providing commercial cleaning, construction labour supply, pest control and waste management services across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The company is committed to tackling in-work poverty and food insecurity through responsible business practices, community investment and environmental sustainability.

Supporting Local Families

Around 80 bags of essential food were distributed, with a further 20 bags reserved for families who were unable to attend. With each bag providing enough food to feed a minimum of two people, the distribution will benefit at least 200 local residents facing food insecurity in Waltham Forest.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Marcelo Hart-Camus, who joined volunteers in distributing food bags and meeting local residents.

Held on a warm and sunny day, the distribution demonstrated the positive impact that businesses, community organisations and local partners can achieve by working together to support local families.

Our Partners

Tarem Services would like to thank Morgan Sindall Construction, Aden Contracting Limited, and the team at Lloyd Park Children’s Centre for their partnership and shared commitment to tackling food insecurity and supporting local communities.

At Tarem Services, we believe strong partnerships create stronger communities. Together with our partners, we remain committed to tackling food insecurity and delivering lasting social value where it is needed most.

Get Involved

Interested in supporting Tarem Services Mobile Foodbank? Whether you would like to volunteer, partner with us or help us reach more communities across London and beyond, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can continue making a difference for local families.