Breast Cancer Care Box Journey!

We're delighted to share the journey of a Little Lifts breast cancer care Box! Take a peek behind the scenes to see how we provide support to individuals facing breast cancer.

The Making of Little Lifts Breast Cancer Care Boxes

Recently, we had the privilege of visiting Thompson Packaging, where our breast cancer care Boxes come to life. Situated just around the corner from Little Lifts HQ, Thompson Packaging, a family-run business, has been instrumental in our mission. Over the past 6 years, they’ve helped us to gift over 18,000 Boxes, offering vital support to those affected by breast cancer.

All our Boxes are meticulously designed, printed, and crafted just a stone’s throw away from HQ, a mere 0.6 miles.

Thompson Packaging: Our Amazing Partner

Thompson Packaging generously donates a portion of Boxes, extends a charity discount, and helps us with our ambitious (and sometimes whacky!) ideas.

“At Thompson Packaging we take great pride in supporting Little Lifts, not only is their mission as a charity honourable and inspiring but getting to work with the people behind the scenes that make it all possible is a genuine pleasure. The joy and energy they bring to the table is infectious and we couldn’t pick a better cause to support.” – Alice, Thompson Packaging

Behind the Scenes: Crafting our breast Cancer Care Boxes

Wondering how our Breast Cancer care Boxes are made? Alice walked us through the process:

“First, we order our cardboard in made-to-measure sizes from our suppliers.”

From there, the machines are set up. This entails:

Situating the custom printing plates and cutting tools on their respective machines
Mixing the ink and getting it running through the system
Making sure everything is in working order

Alice goes on to explain, “Whilst setting up, we will also run a few test prints and cuts to make sure we have our alignment spot on and that we are getting clean cuts.”

Once the machines are set up, production begins!

It all starts with printing, using a nice flat sheet of board running through the machine. This helps the design to stay aligned and means the print sits exactly where it’s supposed to.

Then there’s the die-cutting, where the tool cleanly stamps out all the cuts and creases of the Box in one smooth process.

After cutting, the waste needs to be removed by hand before being stacked up on pallets and then loaded into one of Thompson Packaging’s trucks.

Finally, the Boxes are transported over to Sinclair, ready for Team Little Lifts to pick up!

Care Boxes With a Conscience!

Our breast cancer care Boxes are more than just tokens; they embody our values at Little Lifts. Here’s how:

The board comprises an average of 70% recycled materials.
All boards are FSC approved, endorsing responsible forestry.
Paper waste is redirected to recycling centres, contributing to a circular economy.
Thompson Packaging employs water-based inks, facilitating the separation of solids from water before disposal. Moreover, their ink suppliers use natural pigments where possible.
Solar panels are installed at the site, and reps drive hybrid vehicles.

“All of this has contributed to us receiving the gold standard in the Carbon Charter for 2024, something we are very proud of.” – Alice, Thompson Packaging

We too are immensely proud of Thompson Packaging for their commitment to caring for our planet whilst supporting individuals affected by breast cancer.

Aviva also helps us live out our values by assisting us in planting a tree for every Box gifted. And our commitment doesn’t end there.

Where possible, we select UK-made, locally sourced, ethically produced, eco-friendly, organic, and natural products for our breast cancer care Boxes.

Crafted and Packed With Love for People Receiving Breast Cancer Treatment

Our Little Lifts Boxes are carefully curated by people with experience of breast cancer. Every product is handpicked to help alleviate the side-effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment. Each care Box includes mood-boosting goodies as well as practical items.

We ensure that our care Boxes are the best they can be by listening to feedback through written forms and face-to-face focus groups.

Our Boxes are hand-packed with love by our amazing volunteers. We even include a hand written note in every Box so beneficiaries know who is behind their Box. Remarkably, 80% of our volunteers are individuals who have received a Little Lifts care Box themselves!

How to Get a Little Lifts Breast Cancer Care Box

There are three key ways that we reach people undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Anyone in the UK receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer is eligible for a free Little Lifts care Box!

Hospital Partnerships

We have 10 hospital partnerships across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. These partnerships ensure that every eligible person is reached with a Box.

If you are receiving treatment at one of these hospitals, you will automatically receive a Little Lifts Box in either your consent meeting or first treatment cycle.

2. The Little Kindness Fund

The Little Kindness Fund was set up in response to the pandemic with the kind support of Spacemasks and The Alborada Trust.

This fund means that anyone in the UK receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer can apply for a Little Lifts Box via our website, free of charge. Our small team reviews the applications and posts the Boxes directly to our beneficiaries’ doors.

We also work with hospitals across the country who are supporting their patients by filling in Medical Professional Forms. These forms are sent directly to us and approved, meaning patients do not have to deal with any of the application process.

3. Our Online Shop

Sometimes, loved ones might want to gift something thoughtful. So Little Lifts Boxes are available via our online shop. With every purchase made, we can help to support more people with breast cancer.

Apply for a Little Lifts Breast Cancer Care Box

Ready to apply for a Little Lifts Box or know someone who could benefit from one? Visit our Get a Box page for more information.