The Breast Friends of Hants & IOW CIC now has Lemon Aid, which is a community-based thrift store and support hub in Ryde, Isle of Wight, providing practical, emotional and social support to individuals affected by breast cancer and other long-term illnesses, as well as supporting the wider local community. Our activities include the sale of affordable, good-quality pre-loved clothing, accessories and household items, with all profits reinvested into community support initiatives. We provide a safe, welcoming drop-in space where individuals can access peer support, information and signposting, helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. We deliver additional support through the provision of Sunshine Support Bags and supermarket vouchers for those facing financial hardship due to illness. We also offer volunteer-led transport to hospital appointments and treatment at St Mary’s Hospital, reducing barriers to accessing care. To date, we have supported our community through the distribution of over 100 “Little Boxes of Love” to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, provided approximately 80 Sunshine Support Bags and vouchers, and delivered around 20 transport journeys to essential medical appointments. Through outreach within the local community, we promote breast cancer awareness, early detection and healthier lifestyles. Our activities create a positive community impact by improving health awareness, reducing isolation, supporting those in need, and providing volunteering opportunities that build confidence, skills and community connection.

The Breast Friends of Hants & IOW CIC and Lemon Aid has carried out ongoing informal consultation with stakeholders including individuals affected by breast cancer and ongoing illness, their families and carers, local residents in Ryde, visitors to the Isle of Wight, and users of our thrift store and support hub. Through daily conversations, feedback in the form of verbal, social media and email messages of thanks from those receiving support bags and vouchers, engagement during drop-in sessions, and interaction with individuals attending appointments at St Mary’s Hospital, we have identified key community needs. These include a strong demand for emotional support and connection to reduce isolation, financial assistance during periods of illness, help accessing hospital appointments, and accessible information around breast cancer awareness, early detection, and healthier lifestyles. Stakeholders consistently expressed the importance of local, informal and welcoming support that is easy to access without referral. This feedback has directly shaped our services, including our support hub, Sunshine Support Bags and vouchers, transport provision, outreach work, and donation of Little Boxes of Love to newly diagnosed patients.

The amounts paid to one Director in respect of qualifying services was £500 per month from September 2025 totalling to date £2,000.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration