Businesses across Swindon have pledged fresh backing for care-experienced young adults following a dedicated event aimed at widening opportunity and tackling long-standing barriers.
Organised by Swindon Borough Council and held at the council-owned STEAM Museum on 24 February, the gathering brought together employers, voluntary groups and public-sector partners for a direct conversation with young people who have grown up in care.
Sponsored by CCLA and delivered in partnership with Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation, the event focused on practical pledges rather than warm words.
Attendees committed to creating work-experience placements, skills development pathways and employment opportunities designed specifically to support care leavers as they move into adulthood. The Council itself has already hosted care-experienced interns during 2025 as part of its own ongoing programme.
The tone of the event was shaped by the testimony of young people willing to speak candidly about their journeys.
Thomas*, one of the speakers, described how his role at Solid Ground Coffee — a project supported by the Council’s Youth Justice Service — has given him structure and confidence.
“I’ve enjoyed cooking since I was 12, which I then did at college and now here,” he said. “I like coming to work at Solid Ground Coffee because I get a very good wage and I pick up skills for the future.”
Among the firms making commitments on the day was facilities management company Nanogreen.
Founder and Director Neil Duff said his approach centres on potential rather than background.
“We wanted to give something back to Swindon and the community by employing someone who needed it,” he said. “We don’t ask people what their pasts are, but want to know what people can do. We don’t do CVs, we do coffee.
“The benefit is unquantifiable for them and employers. Care experience is irrelevant. It’s about opportunity for them and for us. They can work hard to get back on their feet. No one chooses these circumstances. They want stability but some employers are worried about the risk. But there isn’t one.
“We give the work experience for them to get that work and earn an income. The benefit is the opportunity.”
Council Leader Jim Robbins said hearing directly from young people had left a strong impression.
“Their honesty, resilience and ambition should inspire all of us,” he said.
“The pledges made by local employers and partners show what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. We all want to ensure every young person has the opportunities they need to build confidence and step into their future with pride.
“As a Council we are committed to giving these young people every opportunity to thrive, and I’m glad that so many of our partners have pledged to do the same.”
While the event marked a public show of support, its success will ultimately be measured by the placements, jobs and sustained careers that follow. For the young people in the room, the message was simple: opportunity matters, and so does belief.
