Charlotte Briggs’s journey into the world of floristry began long before she enrolled at Reaseheath College or found herself holding one of the most coveted awards in the land-based education sector.

It started in Hoole, Chester, where a young Charlotte spent summer days on her grandparents’ allotment.

While many children were captivated by sweets and toys, Charlotte’s heart was drawn to the flowers. She fondly recalls picking sweet peas, honesty seed heads, dandelions, and chrysanthemums with her grandparents, crafting posies for her teachers, and developing a love for blooms that still inspires her work today.

“I was the kind of kid who wanted to visit the flower shop after school, not the sweet shop,” she laughs.

Despite her love for floristry, Charlotte’s path wasn’t straightforward. Lacking a clear route into the industry, she initially pursued a career in hospitality, eventually managing a housekeeping team. However, after the birth of her sons Oscar, now 13, and Jasper, seven, Charlotte had a revelation. “I realised life was too short not to follow your passion,” she shares.

Determined to chase her dream, she started with an adult education course in Winsford, where aSue Pickering, became her mentor. Sue saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue floristry at a higher level. Charlotte enrolled at Reaseheath College, where her talent truly blossomed.

For Charlotte, who lives in Northwich, flowers aren’t just her profession; they’re deeply personal. She treasures memories of visiting the Shrewsbury Sweet Pea Flower Show with her grandparents and still finds joy in the simple beauty of sweet peas. “They’re such a delicate and beautiful flower, and they remind me of those special times,” she says.

Last month, Charlotte’s dedication to her craft led to her winning the Floristry FE/HE Learner of the Year Award, sponsored by Interflora, at the prestigious Landex/Lantra Learner of the Year Awards 2024.

The ceremony, held at the National Conference Centre in Solihull, was an emotional moment for Charlotte, who described the evening as surreal.

“To even be nominated felt like an achievement, but winning was overwhelming,” Charlotte admits. Overcome with emotion, she asked her tutor, Helen Longshaw, to collect the award on her behalf. “It means so much to me. It’s a recognition of all the hard work and the journey I’ve been on,” she says.

Charlotte credits Reaseheath’s tutors and the Lantra network for inspiring her to push forward. “The support I’ve received has been incredible. This award has given me the confidence to keep going and, I hope, some professional credibility when I set up my business.”

Charlotte’s vision for the future is as vibrant as the flowers she loves. After completing her course next year, she plans to explore flower farming with a focus on sustainability, offering an alternative educational pathway for children. “Nature and creativity are powerful tools. I’d love to show children how working with flowers can be therapeutic and rewarding,” she explains.

Charlotte believes floristry has room to grow in sustainability and hopes to lead by example. “I want to make floristry more eco-friendly and share my love of nature with others,” she says.

Charlotte’s family have been her strongest cheerleaders throughout her career change, beaming with pride as she brought home her trophy. “They’ve supported me every step of the way,” she says.

Her gratitude also extends to her mentors at Reaseheath College. “They’ve believed in me and shared their incredible industry knowledge. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Helen Longshaw, Level 3 Floristry course manager, added: “Charlotte has been a model student from day one, her passion for floristry shines through in everything she does. As a team, we are so proud of her achievement, which is so well deserved, and we are excited to watch her progress into the industry.”

For Charlotte, the future is bright—and it’s filled with flowers.