Trustee Journal: The Legacy Project
The Legacy Project was built to provide grants to individuals who really needed it - in memory of the wonderful Nicky (nicknacklou), one of our original Legends of the #FeelYourBreast campaign.
What. A. Project.
We received hundreds of applications and recently shared the highlights from the project; we funded 97 grants, funded 42 families to make lasting memories and so many more, from mastectomy tattoos to therapy to allow beneficiaries to process diagnosis and treatment.
When we first started talking about The Legacy Project, a key pillar we championed was including the cancer community, to ensure we were meeting the needs of the women we serve. Cue our incredible Legends, who helped to guide and deliver this project in the most beautiful way.
We caught up with them to get their thoughts on how the project went and just what it meant to the community.
Legend Qs
What has The Legacy Project meant to you?
Dizzy - It’s meant so much, it’s been so beautiful working together this past year on the Legacy Project, especially because it was born out of losing Nicky. Being able to come together and work on something so positive has been really beautiful.
Angel - I agree, seeing it come to fruition and to see how it’s grown and impacted people, it just shows the significance of one great idea and to be a part of it, is just next level.
Leanne - It’s giving people who haven't got the means, hope - and for people to feel included. Many feel forgotten about, but this is something that has meant so much to people, to have felt seen and heard.
Georgie - A lot of us have spent a lot of time being unwell. This project means we are making a really big difference - it’s incredible to know this is directly helping the community we’re all a part of. It's incredible and it's an honour to be a part of.
Shannon - Any opportunity we get to alleviate some of the pressure or the dread from anyone's life is just so rewarding - it's an honour to be able to do that for people.
What has The Legacy Project meant to the cancer community?
Georgie - It’s had the biggest impact - this project is doing so much good, every time you speak to someone who has applied or had something granted, it's like a weight off their shoulders. It's the wigs, it’s the help getting their nipples tattooed, it’s doing something nice with your family, it’s something that makes what they're going through the teeniest tiniest bit lighter and that is incredible. We all know that cancer can be such a dark place and a very trying thing to go through, knowing that the project is giving people the opportunity to smile or make memories with a loved one or do something nice. We all know that that little glimmer of hope can keep you going, it's incredible.
Angel - The trust in the project has been huge, it’s because the people working on this project and the people behind it have been through it. We've sat in the chemo chair, we’ve had the surgeries, so when we see the stories and why people are applying for the grants, we can resonate and understand on a deeper level. That's why it has so much heart behind it. We would do anything we can to make sure we help even just one other person. We deeply care about every single person who has applied.
Chloe - People have got behind it because we, as ambassadors, have been through cancer journeys so they know their people are speaking for them. We know the core things that are needed, we can talk from experience.
What feedback have you had about The Legacy Project?
Shannon - The feedback we’ve had is a small way to measure the impact we've had on people’s lives, it goes beyond the nice messages and the emails we’ve all had.
Leanne - From my community, the women have said this has been life-changing, people have been speechless and in disbelief that they've been in receipt of a grant or even that people have just believed them. To be heard and to be seen has been a massive thing. There's been a trust in the scheme, it's been a project by the people, for the people - which speaks volumes.
Dizzy - It’s showing that it doesn't take a huge amount of money to make a huge difference, lots of small grants can change so many people’s lives. Taking that bit of stress off their shoulders and giving people the ability to make those forever dreams and memories with their families is really moving to hear about.
Chloe - To see what the Lounge Foundation has created within the community, the amount of messages received from people saying it's life-changing or they can’t believe it's happened to them, is just incredible. They haven't had to jump through loads of hoops to get it, it’s a charity for the people.
Want to hear more from our lovely Legends? You can see more from the interviews here.
Since we first started talking about the Lounge Foundation and then the Legacy Project, we’ve wanted to keep our community at the heart of it and to have a truly, tangible impact. It's incredible to hear from our Legends, and through the feedback received, that we’ve accomplished that and have had such a profound impact through the project. We’re starting to think about how we replicate this and continue to have this impact on women and children’s health, so ladies, watch this space. We can’t wait to make more magic happen.
With love,
Mel x