A Very Special Moment for Lancashire Wildflowers: Winning the Social Enterprise Rising Star Award

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Gemma Mills, founder of Lancashire Wildflowers Learning Hub, has been named Social Enterprise Rising Star 2026 at the Selnet Enterprise in Society Awards.

The awards took place as part of Selnet’s 20th Anniversary and Awards Celebration, bringing together social enterprises, community organisations and changemakers from across Lancashire. To be recognised among so many incredible people and organisations doing meaningful work in their communities was a very proud and emotional moment.

For us, this award is about much more than a trophy. It is recognition of the children, young people and families who have inspired Lancashire Wildflowers from the very beginning.

Lancashire Wildflowers was created because too many children are still falling through the gaps. Some children do not have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Some are not quite managing in mainstream school, but do not easily fit into another box either. Some are bright, funny, creative and full of potential, but they have lost confidence because the environment around them has not worked for who they are.

We often talk about the children who are “in-between” — the ones who are struggling, but not always seen. The ones who may be experiencing anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance, low confidence, sensory overwhelm, friendship difficulties or a complete loss of joy in learning.

Lancashire Wildflowers exists for those children.

Our aim has always been to create a warm, nurturing and flexible place where children and young people can feel safe enough to be themselves. A place where they can build friendships, learn life skills, explore creativity, spend time outdoors, grow in confidence and begin to believe in themselves again.

Winning the Social Enterprise Rising Star Award means so much because it shows that this work matters. It shows that child-led, nurturing, community-based education is being recognised. It shows that there is space for a different kind of provision — one that sees the whole child, not just their attendance, academic level or behaviour on a difficult day.

We are especially grateful to Selnet for their support and encouragement, and to everyone who has believed in Lancashire Wildflowers as it has grown from an idea into a real community. We are also thankful to the families who have trusted us with their children, the children who make every day meaningful, and the people and partners who have helped us along the way.

This award has given us a real boost, but it has also reminded us why we started.

Wildflowers do not need to be forced into rows to grow. They need the right environment, the right care, and the space to become who they are meant to be.

That is what we are building at Lancashire Wildflowers.

And this is only the beginning.