Young people's vision for the future sealed in Energy Ombudsman's 20th anniversary time capsule

Energy Ombudsman has marked 20 years of serving consumers with a time capsule that includes young people's visions for the future, creating a lasting snapshot of the organisation, the energy sector and the communities it serves.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Energy Ombudsman invited young people from across the local community to imagine what the future of energy, sustainability and everyday life could look like over the next decade. Working with Warrington Youth Zone, Alderman Bolton Primary Academy in Warrington and Windmill Hill Primary School in Runcorn, the initiative encouraged children to think creatively about the world they will inherit while celebrating a significant milestone in Energy Ombudsman's own history.

Each school selected a winning illustration, while Energy Ombudsman selected a winning entry from Warrington Youth Zone. These designs have now been placed inside the time capsule alongside items representing Energy Ombudsman in 2026, creating a unique record of the organisation as it celebrates two decades of dispute resolution.

The capsule includes memorabilia, reflections from colleagues and items that capture what Energy Ombudsman, its workplace and the wider energy sector look like today. When it is reopened in 2036, it will not only reveal how local young people imagined the future but also provide a fascinating snapshot of how Energy Ombudsman, technology, the business landscape and the communities it serves have evolved over a decade.

Since launching in 2006, Energy Ombudsman has provided an independent and impartial dispute resolution service, helping consumers and energy suppliers resolve complaints when they have been unable to reach an agreement themselves.

Over the past 20 years, the organisation has helped more than one million consumers, playing an important role in building trust and confidence across the energy sector while continually evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers and the industry.

The winning pupils from Alderman Bolton Primary Academy and Windmill Hill Primary School attended a special ceremony at Energy Ombudsman's Daresbury headquarters on 9 July, where they were recognised for their creativity before the time capsule was sealed and buried. Representatives from Warrington Youth Zone, the participating schools and Energy Ombudsman came together to celebrate the occasion, with Nicolette Granite, Governance and Continuous Improvement Director, who has been with Energy Ombudsman throughout its 20-year journey, sharing her reflections on the organisation's journey over the past two decades and congratulating the children on their outstanding contributions to the time capsule.

Nicolette Granite, Governance and Continuous Improvement Director at Energy Ombudsman, said: "For the past 20 years, Energy Ombudsman has helped more than one million consumers and energy suppliers resolve disputes independently and impartially, providing a free service that builds trust and confidence across the energy sector. While we're proud to celebrate this milestone, we're equally focused on the future and ensuring consumers continue to have access to fair, independent dispute resolution for many years to come."

"This time capsule represents far more than our anniversary. It captures a snapshot of Energy Ombudsman today, the communities we're proud to serve and the hopes and creativity of the next generation. When it's reopened in 2036, it will tell the story of how our organisation has evolved alongside the energy sector, while reminding us that our purpose has remained the same, helping to deliver fair outcomes and build trust between consumers and energy suppliers."

"We're incredibly grateful to Warrington Youth Zone, Alderman Bolton Primary Academy and Windmill Hill Primary School for helping bring this project to life. Their enthusiasm and imagination have made this a fitting way to celebrate our first 20 years, and we're delighted their contributions will become a lasting part of Energy Ombudsman's history."

The project was delivered in partnership with Warrington Youth Zone, which worked with its young members to create a contribution for the time capsule. Through the initiative, young people were encouraged to share their ideas for the future of energy, sustainability and the communities they live in, ensuring their creativity will form part of Energy Ombudsman's history for years to come.

Jamie Patterson, Head of Fundraising at Warrington Youth Zone, said:

“It’s been fantastic to work alongside Energy Ombudsman on such a meaningful community initiative. Projects like this encourage young people to think creatively about the future while giving them the confidence to share their ideas and aspirations.  We’re incredibly proud that our young people’s contribution will form part of a lasting legacy that will be rediscovered in 2036”

Natalie Badley, Headteacher at Alderman Bolton Primary Academy, said:

"We were delighted to be invited to take part in this special project. It gave our pupils the opportunity to think creatively about the future while encouraging conversations around energy, sustainability and the world they want to help shape."

"To have one of our pupils' drawings preserved in Energy Ombudsman's time capsule is a fantastic achievement and something our whole school community is incredibly proud of. It's a wonderful way for our children to become part of the organisation's 20-year celebrations while leaving a lasting legacy for the future."

Now sealed beneath Energy Ombudsman's Daresbury headquarters, the time capsule will stand as a lasting reminder of the organisation's first 20 years of serving consumers. When it is reopened in 2036, it will offer future colleagues, consumers and the local community a unique insight into how Energy Ombudsman, the energy sector and the aspirations of today's young people have evolved over the decade.