Taking care: community and careers take centre stage for care leavers

November marks National Care Leavers Month, which also means Coventry’s annual Care Leaver Awards – an event celebrating the city’s young achievers and a platform to mark their resilience and ambition.

The Care Leavers Awards celebrate those between the ages of 16 and 18 who have completed training in skills such as budgeting, and are now in employment or education as they transition into adulthood.

For more than two years, E.ON’s Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) with Coventry City Council has been more than a blueprint for decarbonising a city, it’s a living commitment through vibrant community events and social projects that foster green skills and create real opportunities for young people.

At this year’s Care Leavers Awards, more than 250 of the city’s young achievers were welcomed by a range of interactive stalls such as E.ON’s #NextGenHome, where they could experiment with wiring smart homes and discover the role of renewable energy in building sustainable communities.

Our stand offered interactive exercises from CV workshops to mock interviews, helping young people to explore career paths and build essential skills.

This year’s awards ceremony, held at The Box at FarGo Village, was hosted by journalist and presenter Chanise Evans. Awards were presented in categories such as Sports Hero, Community Champion, and Determined to Learn, each highlighting hard work and achievement.

One of those honoured at the awards was Care Leaver of the Year, Roselyn Bonsu, nominated for her unwavering determination and positivity.

Roselyn (pictured left with Cayleigh Beecham-Marshall, E.ON's Social Value Manager in Coventry) plays a vital role in Coventry’s Care Leavers Forum, where she advocates for meaningful change that directly impacts care leavers – even going as far as representing the charity Become at the Houses of Parliament where she spoke directly to politicians about the real challenges care leavers face.  

“What sets Roselyn apart is not just her achievements, but her spirit,” says Fiona McCann, Leaving Care Team Manager at Coventry Children's Services. “She faces each day with a smile, a kind heart, and an unwavering belief in making things better for others. Her passion for supporting fellow care leavers and her commitment to change make her a role model and a beacon of hope. Roselyn embodies the very essence of what it means to be Care Leaver of the Year."

Community at the heart of energy transformation

From the outset, Coventry’s strategic energy partnership has focused on sustainable improvements that benefit everyone. Events like the Henley Green Grub Hub and a dedicated work experience programme which are not just about sharing advice, they’re about building relationships and trust at the grassroots level, ensuring the city’s journey to net zero is inclusive and empowering for all.

By aligning social value delivery with local priorities, we’re creating pathways into employment, supporting green skills development, tackling fuel and food poverty, and enhancing community spaces. This approach ensures that every project, investment, and partnership not only contributes to E.ON’s clean energy goals but also leaves a measurable, positive legacy for the people and places we serve.

E.ON’s involvement in the Care Leavers Covenant and the Coventry SEP is not some one-off gesture, it’s a sustained promise to help the people of Coventry and to support the events and activities that matter to them. As the partnership continues, expect to see even more innovative events, expanded work experience opportunities, and a continued focus on making Coventry a greener, fairer city for all.

To find out more about how E.ON is powering positive change in Coventry, visit: eonenergy.com/coventry