When 21-year-old Milly first heard about CatZero through the Job Centre back in 2014, she was at one of the lowest points in her life. A single parent recovering from domestic abuse and long-term mental health challenges, she felt isolated and uncertain about the future.
“I had been through some very dark times,” Milly recalls. “I wanted to find a way forward – not just for myself, but for my son.”
Through CatZero’s 12-week confidence and employability programme, Milly found something she had been missing for a long time, belief in herself. Guided by Delivery Officer Neil, who continues to deliver the same programme today, she began to rebuild trust, rediscover her confidence, and see new possibilities for her life.
“CatZero was the first place I felt seen,” she said. “It was the first time my voice and my thoughts were valued.” By the end of the course, Milly had gained the courage to turn her passion for art into a career. In 2016, she launched Fantastic Faces, now one of the UK’s leading face-painting companies. Alongside her business success, Milly is a professional artist, creating large-scale murals and portraiture, and has exhibited her work across Hull and beyond. Her creativity and resilience have earned her multiple awards, including the Prince’s Trust Award for Enterprise, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Grit Award.
More than a decade after first walking through CatZero’s doors, Milly has joined the CatZero Board of Trustees, a powerful full-circle moment. “I joined the board because I want to be the voice for participants – people who are where I once was,” she explains. “My goal is to help make sure CatZero never loses sight of its mission, to reach people who need hope, belief and the chance to start again.”
CatZero CEO Adrian Tallon said:
“Milly’s story embodies everything CatZero stands for. Her journey from participant to trustee demonstrates the long-term impact of what we do. As a business owner, she brings professional expertise, but she also brings a lived experience that will help us stay connected to the people and communities we serve.”
For over fifteen years, CatZero has supported people of all ages across the Humber to rebuild confidence, gain skills and take control of their futures. Milly’s story is a reminder of the lasting impact of that work.
As CatZero looks ahead, 2026 will be a major fundraising year, with new initiatives and events planned to help secure the charity’s future. Every partnership, donation and act of support helps change lives – just as CatZero once changed Milly’s.