'Seeing the unseen' with E.ON’s immersive journey into disability awareness

That means building a culture where everyone feels valued, seen, and supported. And that starts with inclusion.

Around 20% of the UK workforce lives with a disability, yet only one in five people with a disability are born with one. For most, it’s something that develops during their lifetime — often while they’re already in the workplace. This reality challenges all of us to think differently about what disability looks like, and how we support it.

And while many of us might take for granted the ability to start the day feeling rested, pain-free and clear-headed, that’s not the experience for many of our colleagues. Chronic health conditions, mental health challenges and invisible symptoms can impact day-to-day life in ways that aren’t always obvious — but are deeply felt.

That’s why we created The OffCentre.

What is The OffCentre?

The OffCentre is an immersive experience designed to open eyes, shift perspectives and spark empathy. It’s not a training course – it’s a powerful, personal journey into what it’s like to live and work with disability — particularly invisible conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue or cognitive challenges.

By stepping into The OffCentre, participants hear real, unfiltered stories from E.ON colleagues. It offers a rare chance to understand how disability impacts work, relationships and wellbeing —not in theory, but in reality.

Through hands-on, sensory-rich activities, colleagues are invited to step into the world of those living with disability. From the moment they enter, they’re immersed in simulations that bring invisible challenges to life in a very real way, including:

• Headsets which recreate sensory overload, offering a window into how overwhelming everyday environments like a bustling office or a crowded train can feel for someone with a neurological condition.
• Specialist goggles which mimic visual impairments, from blurred vision and tunnel vision to sensitivity to light.
• Weighted vests which simulate physical fatigue, giving participants a sense of what it’s like to carry the constant heaviness that some chronic conditions cause.
• Heated vests which replicate temperature dysregulation, a common but rarely understood symptom for many.

At the heart of The OffCentre is a powerful, deeply personal film featuring three E.ON colleagues — Paul Forsyth, Claire Hesketh-Burke and Becca Jackson — who share their stories of living and working with disability at E.ON. Their honesty and strength set the tone for the entire experience.

The OffCentre isn’t just about what you feel during the simulation — it’s about the conversations it starts, the stigma it helps dismantle and the lasting empathy it builds.

Building a more inclusive E.ON

True inclusion isn’t just about accessibility ramps or policy documents — it’s about culture. It’s about the daily interactions, the thoughtful adjustments, the quiet understanding that someone might be fighting a battle you can’t see.

Jo Hammond, Internal Communications and Engagement Consultant, whose idea sparked the creation of The OffCentre, said:

“In 2019, I took over our disabled inclusion network adaptABILITY and found myself wondering, could we create something like the MS Understood Café ourselves? A version tailored to our people and our message. I stepped down as chair in 2023, feeling it was time for a fresh perspective, but the idea never left me. And in 2024, thanks to our Group sponsorship of adaptABILITY, that dream began to take shape.

“The goal was to spark empathy rather than sympathy, to break down taboos around talking about disability, and most importantly, to support adaptABILITY's mission: raising awareness, fostering allyship, improving accessibility and offering assistance to disabled colleagues and those who work alongside them.”

We want E.ON to be a place where everyone can thrive, regardless of their health, background or personal challenges. A place where people don’t feel like they have to hide what they’re going through — but feel empowered to speak up, be themselves and be supported.

The OffCentre helps us get there. It’s a reminder that inclusion begins with understanding and that empathy can drive real, lasting change.

The journey continues

We’re proud to be on this journey toward greater inclusivity — and we know we still have more to do. But by creating experiences like The OffCentre, we’re making meaningful strides, helping our teams connect on a deeper level and building a workplace where no one is left behind.

Because when we understand each other better, we work better. And that’s good for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.

Inclusion isn’t just a value — it’s a responsibility and at E.ON, we’re taking it seriously.