A Torquay business owner has been recognised at the House of Lords for her outstanding contribution to the local community, following support from Cosmic and Seetec through the Restart Scheme.
Mandy Parnell, founder of inclusive creative community space Milly Molly Mandy in Torquay, attended a prestigious British Citizen Award ceremony in London after being nominated for her dedication to supporting vulnerable people, children with learning difficulties and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mandy pictured with Amber from Seetec (left) and Nick from Cosmic (right)
The nomination was put forward by Nick Ferguson from Cosmic and Amber from Seetec, who worked with Mandy through the Restart Scheme, helping her develop the digital skills and confidence needed to grow her business and increase her impact across the local community.
Through personalised support, Mandy strengthened her knowledge of digital tools including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Forms, Excel, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, Canva and AI-powered technologies. These skills enabled her to streamline business processes, improve marketing activity and expand her online presence.
Rather than focusing on technology for its own sake, the support was tailored to Mandy’s day-to-day business needs, helping her use digital tools to solve practical challenges and reach more people through her community-focused work.
Milly Molly Mandy has become a valued part of the Torquay community, creating opportunities for connection, creativity and wellbeing. The inclusive space welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and provides a supportive environment where individuals can build confidence, develop friendships and express themselves through creative activities.
The British Citizen Award ceremony took place at the House of Lords, where medallists from across the UK were recognised for making a positive difference in their communities. Mandy attended as a guest of Lord Mott OBE and was recognised alongside inspirational individuals from across the country.
Mandy receiving her British Citizen Award at the House of Lords.
Nick Ferguson, Digital Skills Trainer and Team Leader at Cosmic, said:
“Seeing Mandy recognised at the House of Lords was an incredibly proud moment. Her commitment to supporting others, combined with her willingness to embrace new digital skills, has helped her business thrive and increased her impact within the community.”
Reflecting on the support she received, Mandy said:
“The support from Cosmic has been so helpful. I now feel much more confident using digital tools and no longer feel overwhelmed by technology. Everyone needs a Cosmic Nick in their life.”
The story highlights the role digital inclusion can play in helping community organisations and small businesses grow their reach, strengthen their operations and create even greater social impact. Through practical, person-centred support, Cosmic and Seetec continue to help people across the South West develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world.