FROM OUR TRUSTEES

2020... What a very challenging, transformative but surprisingly productive year for Future Dreams. On the cusp of lockdown in March 2020, immediately after our International Women’s Day event, the trustees had to make some difficult decisions to safeguard the charity and enable us to deal with the unprecedented and uncertain times that lay ahead. These decisions have changed the way we will work in the future. An already lean and nimble team, we became even more so. We will do everything to prevent the disruption or permanent harming of our future plans to support those touched by breast cancer.

The good news is that the much-needed Future Dreams House, while delayed, is still on course. Builders had started on site in January 2020 but were promptly shut down eight weeks later due to Covid-19 legislation. We waited patiently for government guidance as to when the construction could resume.

Work on site finally recommenced mid-May, with the quick completion of the soft-strip-out, which included asbestos clearance and the removal of the main roof coverings aided by a full scaffold and temporary roof. A new lift was ordered and structural alterations commenced, including lift-shaft adaptations, new full-height stairwell, raising the main roof and strengthening the existing timber floors. Setting-out of internal walls and partitions were completed in late July, with mechanical and electrical designs being finalised with a view to starting first-fix installations in early August. This included plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, lighting, and power to suit end-user requirements. We are really grateful to have a fully committed management and construction team.

The building is certainly taking shape and we are aiming for a new completion date of spring/summer 2021. It is six months later than originally planned, but in the light of the pandemic we have still made amazing progress.

Trustee UPDATE

COMING TOGETHER IN A CRISIS

When the situation began, we were told to, ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives,’ but sadly breast cancer wasn’t just going to stop because of Covid-19.

Future Dreams developed several new support services. These were initiated when Bernie Phelan, a clinical nurse specialist in breast care at The Wellington Hospital, contacted us the week after lockdown to see if we could help with the influx of new breast cancer patients from surrounding NHS Trusts. Collaborating with Bernie and her team of physiotherapists, psychologists, councillors and post-surgery bra specialists, we created a vital information leaflet and online resource for patients who were being sent home quickly to limit the risk of them contracting Covid-19. All the information they required was included in Bernie’s Advice. With patients’ time with their breast care teams and breast nurses limited, it signposted them to the support services they would require. We have also put funds towards the brilliant Change and Check campaign, so that one million stickers could be distributed to John Lewis, Monsoon, Accessorize, Royal Mail, M&Co, Dorothy Perkins, David Lloyd and The Welsh Ambulance service. The stickers, the brainchild of Future Dreams ambassador Helen Addis, encourage women to check their breasts while in changing rooms. Sadly, the new issues that affect breast cancer following the consequences of Covid-19 are potentially catastrophic. In a normal

If you notice anything unsual see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. Early diagnosis of successful treatment.

could mean a better chance

year, some two million women are screened for breast cancer. The current evidence suggests that around 1,300 deaths are prevented because of this. But when the country locked down, screening programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were officially put on hold. In England, nothing was said but we know most NHS trusts suspended their screening services. We need to ensure screening still happens and we continue to save those 1,300 lives a year.

Here at Future Dreams we want to continue our mission to practically support those touched by breast cancer and fund vital research. We are exploring innovative new fundraising mechanisms but we remain totally dependent on public funding. Our founders’ mission remains at the core of our charity: that no one should face breast cancer alone. And with the recent statistics and knowledge that breast cancer is the third-hardest sector to be hit during Covid-19, our work has never been more vital.

Thank you for your support now and in the future. I’d love to hear from you, and if you want to know more about our work, please get in touch at sam@futuredreams.org.uk.