The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 celebrates outstanding individuals from across the United Kingdom. It recognises their contributions to the arts, education, and community welfare. Among the honorees is Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE, a Lincolnshire-based artist known for his innovative visual art and disability rights advocacy.
Originally from Wakefield and now residing in Sleaford, Wilsher-Mills expressed deep gratitude at receiving the award. “It is a wonderful honour and one of the highest accolades I could receive,” he said. “This honour recognises both my artistic journey and my work to raise awareness of disability issues through art.”
His recent exhibition Are We There Yet?, held at Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, drew over 50,000 visitors. Wilsher-Mills creates interactive art using vibrant digital sculptures and augmented reality. His work challenges perceptions of disability and promotes accessibility in modern spaces.
Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE Leads Lincolnshire’s Honoured Artists
The honours list also includes individuals from diverse backgrounds whose quiet yet impactful contributions have transformed lives within their communities:
- Paul Boucher, the director of the Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative, has been awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his decades-long dedication to supporting and advocating for the Traveller community in Lincolnshire. His work in education, housing support, and social integration has earned widespread recognition.
- Eleanor Hutton, who manages Explorosity Education, a pre-school centre in Grimsby, has received an MBE for her exceptional leadership in early childhood education. Hutton’s innovative learning programmes and commitment to nurturing young minds have made a lasting impression on countless families in the region.
- Helen Keneally, a children’s centre manager from Scunthorpe, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). She has strengthened community bonds and supported early development by organising events like picnics, parenting workshops, and summer barbecues.
Disability Advocacy and Art: The Empowerment Behind Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE’s Recognition
These awards are part of the wider King’s Birthday Honours List and highlight civic and cultural contributions across the UK. While some recipients gained national attention, many are local heroes who’ve made lasting impacts on schools, neighborhoods, and art communities. Among them, Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE stands out for using his artistic talents to drive meaningful conversations around disability rights and accessibility in the arts.
The honours system, established to celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in public service, shines a light on those often overlooked in their efforts to better the lives of others. This year’s list especially highlights the role of inclusion, education, and cultural identity in building a more equitable society.
Jason Wilsher-Mills’ story is a testament to resilience and innovation. Contracting chickenpox at age 11 led to significant damage to his central nervous system, resulting in the use of a wheelchair. Rather than allow his disability to define his limits, Wilsher-Mills has redefined the possibilities of interactive, accessible art. His installations often include elements that allow viewers of all abilities to engage and connect with his work.
Looking Forward: Building on Honour
For many of the honorees, this recognition is not an endpoint, but a new chapter. Plans are underway for Wilsher-Mills to expand his touring exhibitions across the UK, incorporating schools and community centres into the journey. Eleanor Hutton has announced new early-learning partnerships aimed at boosting literacy and emotional wellbeing among children from underserved communities. Paul Boucher continues to advocate for policy changes that will ensure long-term support for the Traveller community.
As communities across the country celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals, the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 stands as a reminder of the transformative power of service, creativity, and compassion.
