Having faced immense personal challenges, the Hull artist is now one of the region’s top creative entrepreneurs
A powerful full-circle moment is being celebrated by a Hull artist. Milly Rose has gone from being a participant in the CatZero programme to one if its trustees.
Milly’s life was transformed by the charity’s work more than a decade ago. In 2014, a then 21-year-old Milly found herself at one of the lowest points in her life.
Milly found herself as a single parent living with the effects of trauma and long-term mental health challenges. With no support network and feeling completely isolated, Milly was struggling to see a way forward.
After several years of instability and time spent in hospital care, she reached a turning point. Milly was determined to rebuild her confidence, find stability and create a better future for herself and her young son.
It was through the JobCentre that she first heard about CatZero. The 12-week programme, newly open to 18+ participants at the time, offered a chance to regain confidence, build skills and find purpose.
With childcare support arranged through the JobCentre, Milly joined a diverse group of people – single parents, those out of work, and others facing barriers to stability – all looking for a fresh start. “CatZero was the first place I felt seen,” Milly recalls.
“It was the first time my voice and my thoughts were valued. I was surrounded by people who didn’t judge me but supported me for who I was.”
Guided by CatZero delivery officer Neil, who remains with the organisation delivering the same programme today, Milly began to rebuild trust and rediscover her confidence. “Neil was kind, open and genuinely cared,” she said.
“That was something I hadn’t felt for a long time.” Neil recalls: “When Milly first arrived, I remember her as being very artistic and chatty, so it’s amazing to see how she has progressed since then, to now be on our trustees.”
Milly’s appointment to the board comes as CatZero prepares for a major fundraising year in 2026, with new initiatives planned to sustain and expand its life-changing work across the Humber region. Through CatZero, Milly gained stability, belief, and direction.
By the end of the course, she had developed the confidence to pursue her creative passion and start her own business, a decision that changed her life. In 2016, she launched Fantastic Faces, now one of the UK’s top Face Painting companies.
Alongside this, she is an accomplished fine artist specialising in portraiture and large-scale murals, with exhibitions at venues across Hull and beyond. Her work has been featured on TV and in newspapers and magazines and her achievements have earned her numerous awards, including the Prince’s Trust Award for Enterprise in Yorkshire and the Humber, Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Hull Live Business Awards, and the Grit Award at the Hull and East Yorkshire People in Business Awards.
As both she and her son have since been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, Milly is passionate about inclusion, understanding and creativity. She delivers workshops in schools and youth groups to promote wellbeing, confidence and self-expression, and offers motivational talks and team-building sessions to inspire others to overcome challenges and reach their goals.
Now, returning to CatZero as a trustee, Milly is determined to give back to the organisation that helped her rebuild her life. “I joined the board because I want to be the voice for participants – people who are where I once was,” she said.
“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.” Adrian Tallon, CatZero CEO, 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 more than 15 years, CatZero has worked across the Humber region, supporting young people, families and adults of all ages to rebuild confidence, access training and employment, and take control of their futures. As it looks ahead, with new events and initiatives planned, the charity is calling for the support of local businesses, funders and individuals to help it continue delivering this life-changing work.