Little Lifts
‘If someone had described it to me beforehand, I would have thought it a ‘nice idea’ without having given much thought to how important the sentiment is … With one box, I no longer felt that we were alone dealing with a life-changing situation … It is not a Box of cutlery and tea bags, it is a gesture of compassion and understanding sent without judgement and with no expectation, from fellow members of a club that no one wants to be part of’ - Little Lifts Beneficiary
Project Overview
Please help us make people facing breast cancer treatment feel cared for, supported and not alone. With your support, we can continue to spread the Little Lifts love by distributing 10,000 Boxes by the end of 2025. We want to raise £10,000 to distribute approximately 190 Little Lifts via our Little Kindness Fund.
How we work
We provide breast cancer patients with a ‘Little Lifts Box’, packed full of premium, oncology-approved products to support with common side effects of treatment and mood-boosting goodies to help improve mental wellbeing. These are given to patients in person in the East of England (via our 10 NHS Hospital partners) or are sent across the UK, free of charge, in the post via our Little Kindness Fund.
What is a Little Lifts Box?
We understand that everyone’s experience of breast cancer treatment is different. Our Boxes are carefully curated by people who have personal experiences with breast cancer treatment, and we always choose planet-friendly, ethically made items where we can. Each Box is hand-packed with love by a volunteer in our community, often by a woman who has benefited from our support.
Chemotherapy Boxes
Little Lifts Chemotherapy Boxes contain 25 carefully chosen items. They include a heat pack to help with joint and muscle pain, a soft toothbrush to be kind to more sensitive gums, and chilli oil and herbs to flavour foods that may taste a little different.
Radiotherapy Boxes
Little Lifts Radiotherapy Boxes contain 12 carefully chosen items. They include moisturiser to soothe sensitive skin, a heated eye mask to aid relaxation, and a natural deodorant, as patients should use a metal-free deodorant during treatment.
Surgery Boxes
Little Lifts Surgery Boxes contain 15 carefully chosen items. They include a flannel and gentle soap wash to support strip washing, a heated eye mask and herbal tea to aid relaxation ,and a reusable straw because it can be difficult for patients to use their arm post-surgery.
Our support goes beyond the products
But it’s not just what’s inside the Box that’s important. Many people experience breast cancer treatment as a lonely and difficult time. Our recipients tell us that the sense of solidarity and kindness they experience when they receive their Little Lifts Box is just as valuable as the contents. Little Lifts Boxes ensure that no person faces surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer unprepared or alone.
What is the Little Kindness Fund?
Living in the UK, the Little Kindness Fund is a discretionary fund for women and men undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for primary or secondary breast cancer. The fund enables eligible applicants to receive a Little Lifts Box, free of charge, to support their emotional well-being and support them through their cancer treatment. This fund was set up in response to the pandemic. Following(unexpected) national BBC press coverage in 2023, the fund has grown by 1200%, with applications now at over 150 per week.
Why is the Little Kindness Fund important?
We gather feedback on our support from the clinicians we work with and the people who receive our Boxes, individually and through regular Focus Groups and Community Clubs. They tell us that a Little Lifts Box gives them much-needed practical help and advice and makes them feel supported, cared for, and not alone. This is important because 45% of people with cancer say that the emotional impacts of cancer, rather than the physical, are the most difficult to deal with.
Cancer patients are 1.5 times as likely to report a problem with anxiety and depression than the general population, with 56% of people saying they had difficulties with anxiety and depression. People living with and beyond cancer are significantly m across all five aspects of health than the general population. These differences are particularly marked for ‘usual activities’(such as work, study, housework, family, or leisure activities) and mobility. Breast cancer patients have a lower average quality of life score for things such as emotion, concentration and memory compared to overall cancer scores.
Receiving a breast diagnosis can be a turning point with negative impacts on mental health, treatment and prognosis. In 2021, a meta-analysis of data showed that, in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis, the prevalence of clinically significant s in 34% for anxiety, 31% more likely to report problems or post-traumatic stress and 20% for depression
Check out the live projects we're supporting
Scarletts Smiles
Spotlight UK supports children affected by domestic abuse, children in care, children affected by loss, children with terminal illness or physical disability or who have a family member with terminal illness or long-term physical disability or mental health issues. We cannot take away the past but aim to create positive new memories and to help improve mental health through fun activities and days out and special experiences
Inclusive dance for happiness and health
Flamingo Chicks is a multi-award-winning charity and inclusive community that gives disabled children and children with long-term health conditions like cancer the chance to explore movement through dance. What started as a small community group in 2013 has grown into a national movement championing inclusion. So far, 47,778 children have danced with us!
Heather House Community Cafe
Based in Swale, Kent - Our Charity's aims are to support those in our community hit by Poverty and Financial Hardship through providing access to both physical and mental support. Working collaboratively with others to maximise our effectiveness.
