Red Rose Recovery, a service user led charity supporting individuals in recovery from substance misuse, mental health and offending behaviours across Lancashire, has been named a 2026 Weston Charity Award winner, collecting a support package valued at over £22,000.
Red Rose Recovery is one of 22 ambitious frontline charities working in the fields of community, environment, welfare and youth support that have been named 2026 winners.
The Weston Charity Awards support the vital work of small charities across the Midlands, Wales, and the North of England. Award winners will gain free access to Pilotlight 360 – a remarkable eight-month support programme of charity leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000.
Expert “Pilotlighters” from private and public sectors offer professional mentoring on topics from income diversification to long-term business strategies. In addition, Award winners receive a grant of £6,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Red Rose Recovery was chosen from over 180 applicants, alongside other regional charities, including The Foxton, Manchester Deaf Centre, Being There and the LGBT Foundation.
Mike Wearden, the Managing Director from Red Rose Recovery, said:
Winning a Weston Charity Award is a huge honour for Red Rose Recovery Lancashire and a powerful recognition of the value of lived experience-led support in our communities. The award will strengthen our ability to expand peer-led recovery initiatives, increase reach across Lancashire, and build sustainable pathways for people to improve their wellbeing.
We were inspired to apply because of the Award’s focus on capacity-building and long-term impact, which aligns closely with our mission to empower individuals and communities through recovery.
“At a time of real pressure on the charity sector, these awards provide more than funding. They create space for organisations to gain perspective and insight, think strategically and build for the future.
We know that when you invest in both people and strategy, the impact goes far beyond a single organisation. It strengthens the whole ecosystem. These awards are about investing in long-term change, not just short-term survival.”
Since launching in 2014, over 180 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. The most recent impact report revealed that six months after participating in Pilotlight 360, an impressive 100% of charity leaders said it positively impacted the effectiveness of their senior management team.
The 2026 winners have diverse missions, working across specialisms including mental health and wellbeing, training and education, housing, social care and financial support.
