npower Business Solutions Foundation: championing diversity and inclusion

Across every area of our business, we’re committed to supporting our customers and our communities. The nBS Foundation is a shining example of this, delivering improvements in terms of the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the communities near nBS’ sites.

With a total of £10 million now committed to the nBS Foundation, nBS is giving back to not-for-profits and educational institutions across the Midlands and Yorkshire, empowering people and projects and driving meaningful change.

The nBS Foundation is delivering against five core areas of impact:

• Celebrating environmental sustainability
• Championing diversity and inclusion
• Helping the vulnerable
• Boosting economic and employment opportunities
• Supporting families and young people

Here, in the second of our articles delving into these areas of impact, we focus on how the foundation is supporting causes that champion diversity and inclusion in communities, by creating greater access to jobs and resources and a sense of belonging for everyone.

And here are details of just a few of the projects to have benefited so far:

Empowering adults with learning difficulties in Burntwood

COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO is dedicated to empowering adults with learning disabilities in Burntwood and the surrounding areas.

The charity offers exceptional care and support for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex needs. Its mission is to provide enriching, skills-based activities such as gardening, woodwork, and machine maintenance, as well as teaching essential independent living skills like cooking, shopping, and travel, helping individuals lead more fulfilling and self-sufficient lives.

The adults supported by COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO are often overlooked for job opportunities, and the nBS Foundation has donated £6,061 to provide the necessary materials to equip them with the basic skills needed to find volunteering roles or meaningful employment.

Empowering girls in Sandwell and Walsall

The Girls Friendly Society (GFS) is on a mission to create a world where every girl and young woman can thrive. Through its group work, GFS aims to build confidence by providing a safe space where girls can learn to be themselves and take pride in who they are.

GFS focuses on early intervention, working with girls to prevent the decline in confidence and self-esteem that often begins around age 11, rather than trying to reverse it during the teenage years.

In the West Midlands, GFS plans to support 60 girls in 2025, with a special emphasis on those from disadvantaged backgrounds in Sandwell and Walsall. Thanks to a £10,000 donation from the nBS Foundation, GFS will be able to fund a Group Coordinator, as well as cover overheads, materials and venue hire, ensuring it can continue its vital work in the region.

Funding futures with SIC

SIC is dedicated to providing accessible career support for those who are disabled, neurodivergent, or have a chronic illness. It bridges the gap between talent-short organisations and skilled disabled professionals, challenging the notion that employing disabled people is merely an act of charity.

Its mission is to showcase that disabled people are one of the most untapped sources of talent in the UK economy. For organisations, embracing an inclusive work culture means breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for everyone.

Thanks to a £20,000 grant from the nBS Foundation, SIC hosted a reverse job fair. Here, job seekers held stalls while employers were encouraged to find, create, and shape roles for the participants. This initiative sparked important conversations about better supporting this talent pool and laid the groundwork for regional change, aiming to reduce employment gaps.

A commitment to diversity across our organisation

These projects highlight how the nBS Foundation is driving diversity and inclusion – but E.ON’s dedication doesn’t stop there.

We’re committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion across all areas and all levels of our organisation. We recognise, appreciate and celebrate the fact that a diverse workforce drives innovation, creativity and better business outcomes which is why we’ve implemented comprehensive policies and initiatives to ensure an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected and able to thrive.

By championing diversity and inclusion, we not only enhance our workplace culture, we also attract and retain a diverse range of colleagues who in turn reflect the diverse communities we serve, thereby driving positive change within our own sector and beyond.

Read our inclusion report here and to find out more about how E.ON, npower Business Solutions and E.ON Next are driving positive social impact across the UK, read our news stories here.