Catherine

“One of my closest friends took her mum to a Look Good Feel Better workshop when she was diagnosed with cancer. She phoned me immediately after the workshop insisting I would make a fantastic addition to the volunteer team. Surely enough, I joined the very next day!

I am a beauty therapist and make-up artist of 25 years, I have four children and wanted to get back into the beauty industry, so this was actually perfect timing. It sounds crazy, but being at my first workshop was really one of the best days of my life! All the volunteers made me feel so welcome and then I got to meet all these beautiful, strong and inspirational women.

As volunteers, we are there to help make the participants look good and feel better not just on the outside but on the inside too. I love knowing they leave feeling so much better about themselves just by picking up handy make-up and headwear tips – offering them everything they need to face everyday with a positive attitude.

It’s rewarding knowing I am using my skills to help all these ladies who are going through such a hard time. To see them walk out of the workshop thanking all of us for making them feel amazing is such a great feeling.

The biggest thing I have learnt from my role is that there are so many selfless people in the world who think of others. There are people willing to be so kind to give up their time to empower others.

Look Good Feel Better is such an important program. Bringing the cosmetic industry and all the volunteers together to allow cancer patients feel in control of their physical appearance and emotional well-being is so, so important.

The most memorable moment I had with the program must have been while I was busy packing a participant’s products at the end of a workshop. I was caught up in conversation with her, reiterating how beautiful she looked and how much she would really enjoy using her new products at home. She suddenly burst out crying, she could not believe the products were hers to take home. I explained they were kindly donated by Australian cosmetic companies and she genuinely could not believe it!

Joining the volunteer team has been the best decision I have ever made. On several occasions I have seen ladies from the workshops at the local shopping centre, and after big hugs, kisses and laughter I remember to ask whether they’re still heading out the door with their lippy on! They all tell me that doing the workshop has seriously changed their lives.”