About the movement

Social Signature is a lifelong mindset that helps children feel seen, valued, and powerful, not for just the marks they get, but for the marks they leave on others, their community, and the world.

Our story

Our story began at the University of Liverpool, where we had the privilege of helping over 10,000 graduates take their very first steps into the working world. Each success was more than just a job found; it was a life transformed. But we soon realised that support shouldn’t begin or end there.

We stood alongside more than 5,000 individuals navigating the twists and turns of mid and later career stages, offering guidance as they faced the challenges and uncertainties that life inevitably brings.

Through this journey, we found ourselves drawn to an even earlier moment, the moment when a child is asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We believe that if, from that tender age, young people truly understood themselves, embraced their strengths, and connected with what truly matters to their hearts, they wouldn’t feel forced to squeeze into shapes that don’t fit. They would feel empowered to break free, take control, and craft a future that’s uniquely their own.

Along the way, we’ve been honoured to work with more than 200 extraordinary partners, visionaries and changemakers, from Harvard University to the European Commission, from the Department for Education to local champions like Sefton CVs, Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseyside Youth Association and over 60 schools in the region. Each partnership has deepened our belief that every person’s potential deserves to be nurtured, celebrated, and unleashed.

This is where Social Signature began, a shared dream to help people at every stage of life find their place, their purpose, and their power to create the life and legacy they truly want.

Pete’s story: Where Social Signature began

At 18 years old, during what was meant to be the best week of his life, Pete sat in a doctor’s office and heard the words that changed everything: he was visually impaired and would never be able to drive.

In that moment, something changed. As his friends celebrated new freedoms, Pete felt left behind. Each night, he cried himself to sleep, not out of malice, but from a deep, aching loneliness. He didn’t want to feel so different. So powerless.

Then one day, at his lowest point, Pete walked into a local social club for adults with learning difficulties and offered to help. Just a few hours a week. That was all. But those few hours changed his life.

By giving his time to others, Pete began to let go of the pain that had gripped him so tightly. He laughed. He listened. He connected. And slowly, something extraordinary happened; he began to feel like himself again, and he found true joy in the service of others. Not the boy who couldn’t drive, but the young man who could make someone’s day brighter just by showing up.

That simple act of service gave Pete more than any degree or qualification ever could. It gave him a place to grow, to stumble safely, to find his strengths, build confidence, and discover a deep sense of purpose and belonging.

Forty years on, Pete is Chair of Trustees at the same charity. His wife, whom he met while volunteering, and their three sons, still give their time each week. Together, they’ve led countless holidays, community trips, and life-changing moments for others.

Pete often says, “If you could bottle this feeling and pass it to every generation, we’d change the world — one mouthful at a time.”

And that’s where Social Signature was born.

A spark of purpose. A belief that every child, no matter their path, deserves to feel seen, valued, and powerful, just like Pete did when he discovered what really makes life meaningful.

Our team and trustees

Helen Hawkins

Project & Development Co-ordinator
A qualified Careers Advisor with over 25 years of educational, community and commercial experience.
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Specialist expertise in mentoring, supporting and deep understanding of marginalised young people who have dis-engaged with the education process. Empowering young children in care, care leavers, neurodiverse young people, children with mental health issues and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to explore their strengths, aspirations and celebrate progress to help build resilience and selfbelief.
Over 30 years volunteering at a special needs social club, supporting young people and adults with learning differences, behavioural needs and physical disabilities and providing respite for families and carers.
Helen Wakefield

Co-Founder
30 years corporate, community, and personal development related experience, in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
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Jointly responsible for developing the Windmills Portfolio. Creating partnerships supporting over 70 community and voluntary groups, schools, FE colleges, Universities and blue-chip employers to utilise Windmill’s materials. Committed volunteer for Childline, counselling, mentoring and training new volunteers and supporting children and young people to maximise their personal potential.
Volunteering also includes supporting young refuges and their families, enabling them to connect to local services, providing literacy support in a local primary school and actively involved in church environmental projects.
Jan Peters

Strategic Communications Consultant
Jan has built an extensive and award-winning career in marketing and communications spanning more than 35 years.
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Known for her driven, focused and effective approach, she has led major brand transformations, strengthened organisational reputations and delivered innovative strategic planning that has helped organisations grow and adapt.
Now retired from her full-time career, Jan continues to share her expertise with the charity sector. She has been working with the Windmills Foundation for the past four years, initially as a mentor and now advising on the development of the organisation’s messaging and communications strategy. Jan brings a creative, collaborative approach to her work, helping organisations clarify their voice, align their priorities and communicate their impact more effectively.
She is a skilled presenter and communicator and is passionate about using her experience to support organisations that make a difference.
Jason Powell

Graphic Designer & Developer
30+ years of creative and innovative graphic design industry expertise has helped Windmills develop the unique look and feel of its portfolio.
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Initially supporting the team as the Creative Director of Alexander MacGregor Ltd and then on a consultancy basis as part of the wider team supporting Windmills. Committed to ensuring the highest visually creative standards are developed and utilised throughout the Windmills brand and its full portfolio of printed and online materials.
Tim Molton

Trustee
An experienced Chief Executive Officer with over 35 years’ experience in the private, public, and charitable sector.
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For the last 19 years, has overseen the delivery of a major urban regeneration programme in the Knowsley area of Merseyside, including commissioning capital and revenue projects in Housing, Health, Economy, Education, Crime/Community Safety, Youth and Community. Worked in partnership with local, regional, and national statutory agencies to achieve programme aims via a community led governance system.
Currently Chair of Governors at a Knowsley primary school, which has worked successfully with Windmills for several years on a variety of its programmes working alongside the local community. An experienced foster carer for the last 10 years, committed to developing the potential of others through access to grounded programmes and networks.
Allison Lewis

Trustee
25 years public sector working in community sports development.
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Having completed a Sports Science degree at Liverpool John Moores University, Allison’s roles have focussed on using the power of sport and physical activity to engage and develop local communities. Managing externally funded projects and teams to provide opportunities for a wide range of community groups across all age groups from youth to older people.
A school Governor for 7 years and held the position of Chair of Governors, lead Governor for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Safeguarding. Committed to the development of tennis and has been part of the committee of her own local tennis club for 20 years holding the position of Chairperson for the last 12 years. With a strong sense of social justice, Allison is passionate about supporting projects that empower people to reach their full potential in life.
Phil Wakefield

Trustee
40 years career within the Construction industry within the private sector…
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in various senior management/executive positions with responsibility for full national business performance, both operationally and financially.
Been extensively involved in people and career development support, a Values Champion, sustainability delivery within the community, member of BITC & Trustee of corporate pension scheme.
Focus now is on providing consultancy services to support local developers and their teams within the Northwest via own business. Became a Trustee of the Windmills Foundation from its formation in May 2011 and is a keen supporter of young people enabling them to develop their true potential in an ever-challenging environment. Loves spending time with the family, cycling, keeping fit and walking the beautiful countryside.
Catrin Appleton

Trustee
Fifteen years experience working with young people, ages 6 to 18 years, in a volunteer capacity with The Scout Association.
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Planning and developing of engaging and exciting activities and resources to be used to deliver a varied program to young people centred around personal development and the outdoors. Five years experience teaching in formal education settings within mainstream further education and specialist further education.
Having taken an interest in special educational needs and undertaking additional qualifications in understanding Autism and supporting mental health, this has created the opportunity to work with learners aged 16 plus with a range of complex and varying needs. With a keen interest in animals and holding formal qualifications, alongside volunteering and teaching, this has provided the opportunity to specialise in teaching Animal Care and Equine studies, delivering a very different and exciting curriculum to young people.
Anna Sharples

Trustee
Specialist experience in the care system and passionate about mentoring young people.
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Participated in the first Windmills Foundation GROWTH programme which has led to the significant development of increased resilience, positive wellbeing and life skills. Successfully blending working, learning, playing and giving by volunteering in Uganda, acting as a role model for young people with challenging behaviours and raising the bar academically. Long term vision is to use unique life experience to mentor a future generation of active citizens who take responsibility for their own futures.

Our vision

We imagine a future where every young person leaves primary school not just marking their friends’ shirts with their name but marking the world with their values.

A generation growing up with the chance to discover who they are, what they stand for, and how they can truly make a difference.

That’s their Social Signature. And our vision is to help every child leave theirs, etched in who they become, who they touch, and the world they help shape.

Our values

Empathy

We believe in fostering deep meaningful and lasting human connections that build an environment of trust honesty and mutual respect. We work together as one team, showing empathy, and respect to each other along the way.
Opportunity

We believe in the value of opportunity because each person’s success enriches us all. We create new opportunities everyday by investing in each other and our students so they can reach their full potential and greater levels of success.
Make a Difference

We truly believe our mission is to promote change and make a positive difference to the lives our young people and the communities they live in.
Love of Learning

Through constant learning we innovate, take risks, encourage curiosity and new ideas, learn from our mistakes and constantly strive to exceed expectations in all we do.