Today is a day of immense pride, joy, and celebration for everyone at Affinity 2020 CIC.
As CEO and Founder, I am truly over the moon to share news that feels like a significant milestone in our journey. For years, we have worked quietly behind the scenes as a grassroots organisation, passionately committed to supporting, developing, and creating employment opportunities for care-experienced young people.
From the very beginning, we have believed that employment is about so much more than simply having a job. Meaningful careers provide stability, confidence, purpose, and opportunity. They open doors that can transform lives, enabling young people to thrive both professionally and personally. Employment is not just a pay cheque; it is a pathway towards independence, aspiration, and a brighter future.
Back in 2025, we celebrated a landmark achievement when our apprentice, Leo Lewin, was named Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Apprentice of the Year. That moment was incredibly special for us. It showcased not only Leo’s talent, dedication, and hard work, but also highlighted the potential that exists within so many care-experienced young people when they are given the right opportunities and support.
Our care expereinced young people continue to be awe inspiring in their achievements and ambition, succeeding in achieving level 3 qualifications but also securing and maintaining fantastic careers in teaching and manufacturing. Keeping a job is often much harder securing one for care experienced young people and our wrap around support for employee and employer has been really successful.
At the time, it felt like the first step towards shining a spotlight on one of our core missions. Today, we are delighted to see that spotlight growing even brighter.
We are thrilled that the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has commissioned the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, alongside strategic partners, to explore this important issue at a regional level. To see conversations around employment opportunities and outcomes for care-experienced young people being recognised and explored across South Yorkshire is something we have long hoped for.
For a grassroots organisation, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a voice that started in local communities being heard on a regional stage. It validates years of dedication, partnership working, and unwavering belief in what is possible.
Most importantly, it sends a powerful message to the young people we support: your future matters, your ambitions matter, and your potential is being recognised.
This is not the end goal, it is another exciting chapter in a much bigger journey. But today, we are taking a moment to celebrate. We are celebrating progress. We are celebrating partnership. And above all, we are celebrating the incredible young people whose talents, resilience, and determination inspire everything we do.
To everyone who has supported Affinity 2020 CIC along the way,our young people, employers, partners, supporters, and champions- thank you. Your belief has helped turn a dream into a movement.
Today, our grassroots voice is being heard.
Today, our vision is gaining momentum.
And today, we are reaching for the stars, and it feels like those stars are finally within reach.
The future has never looked brighter. 
Charlotte Elliot
CEO and Founder, Affinity 2020 CiC
