Meet Our Boobettes: Celebrating CoppaFeel! Volunteers in Volunteers’ Week 2026

Shelley’s been showing up for CoppaFeel! for almost twelve years now. Becoming a Boobette in 2014, after her own breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 33, she knew she wanted something positive to come from her experience. That’s where we came in.

What’s been your most memorable moment?

Nearly twelve years (!!) of volunteering means Shelley has a lot of memorable moments, but the ones she holds closest are the messages that come back after the fact.

“I will always cherish the times we’ve been told that a talk we’ve done, or something they have seen from CoppaFeel!, has resulted in them getting an early diagnosis and treatment.” 

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

“Even after volunteering with CoppaFeel! for so many years, I still get an overwhelming satisfaction from doing an event or chatting with people to raise awareness, so I would encourage anyone to become a volunteer. Along with the warm, fuzzy feelings you get from doing something wonderful, you also get to meet the most amazing people along the way.”

For Alice, spreading our chest-checking mantra started long before she became a Boobette, as President of her university’s Uni Boob Team. “I was so pleased to learn that spreading CoppaFeel!’s message didn’t need to end with graduating,” she says. Being able to take that energy beyond university – to reach young people in schools, workplaces and community spaces – felt like the obvious next step for Alice.

What’s been your most memorable moment?

“My first talk was to over 150 sixth form pupils, and it was amazing to have that as a baptism of fire into the public speaking Boobette role.” The students were engaged, active and genuinely enthusiastic about breast cancer awareness. “It was empowering for me on a personal level too – being able to support those students through delivering a Boobette presentation.”

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

“Do it! If you are passionate about healthcare empowerment, or if you have a story to tell, CoppaFeel! will be the perfect family to be part of. It is a role that enables you to turn something very challenging that you have experienced into something incredibly positive and powerful – which is an incredible feeling.”

What does Volunteers’ Week mean to you?

“Volunteers’ Week, for me, means a celebration of the achievements, commitment and personal stories of all volunteers who spend their time supporting CoppaFeel! – whether that is as a Boobette, CoppaFeel! Ambassador or Uni Boob Team leader.”

Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, Claire recognised just how much the message of knowing your normal matters – and just how easy it is for it to drift off the radar. Her own symptom wasn’t a lump, and without that awareness, things could have looked very different. 

What does a typical talk look like?

Before any session, Claire goes over her presentation multiple times. “This ‘going over’ is frequently ‘supported’ by the resident marauding animal team, Enid and Guinevere!”.

Her favourite part of a Boobette talk? The questions at the end. “Every audience is different,” she says. “The focus of the end-of-talk chat has never quite been the same, but it is always consistent in showing that people are thinking about what they’ve heard. At the end of every talk I feel buzzy. It’s just such a positive message to be sharing.”

What’s been your most memorable moment?

“I did a panel talk in London with Peachaus HQ last October and felt so proud to be representing CoppaFeel! as a Boobette.”

What does Volunteers’ Week mean to you?

“Even in writing this, I’ve reflected on the pivotal role of volunteers for all charities. For me, volunteering and ‘helping’ has been the antidote to feeling ‘helpless’ following a cancer diagnosis.” 

Chelsea first found CoppaFeel! at university, through the Uni Boob Teams, at a time when her mum had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She threw herself into volunteering – and when she left university, she stayed connected with us.

Not long after graduating, Chelsea sadly lost her mum to secondary breast cancer.

Eight years later, she found her way back to CoppaFeel! – this time as a Boobette, after learning more about volunteering during a CoppaTrek. And she hasn’t looked back since!

What does a typical session look like?

“I particularly like stalls and hands-on type events,” Chelsea says. “I love being able to set up and decorate a stall with all of the CoppaFeel! goodies, and get out and talk to people.” As a people person, Chelsea loves the more relaxed conversations that stalls make possible. They create space for someone to ask a question, or share something they might not say in a group setting.

What’s been your most memorable moment?

Chelsea volunteered at Kris’s Celebration of Life exhibition – a deeply moving experience in itself – but it’s a conversation she had there that really impacted her.

“I had the most meaningful conversation I have ever had during volunteering with a visitor who had recently been diagnosed but hadn’t told anyone yet. We spoke for at least an hour. I shared my story and she shared hers. I like to think I helped lift some of the emotional weight she was carrying that day.”

What does Volunteers’ Week mean to you?

“There are so many charities that rely on their volunteers to continue the incredible work they are doing. Being part of that special group of people is a feeling that is hard to describe – it’s just so beautiful. We don’t do this to be recognised. But celebrating what we do and shouting it from the rooftops means a lot.”

When Emilia found a lump at the age of 29, she tried her best to ignore it. But somewhere in the back of her mind, our message had stuck: young people can get breast cancer too. That message is what made her go to her GP. She was diagnosed early.

Now, she delivers that same message to others. As she puts it: “CoppaFeel! was an obvious choice for me when I was thinking of where I might want to volunteer and help out… also the branding is so cute and fun!” (thanks girlie 💅).

What’s been your most memorable moment?

Emilia hosted a talk at Dr Martens HQ, alongside fellow Boobette Jen. Some of the staff had their own personal experience with breast cancer, and had shared their stories on a panel just before Emilia and Jen took the floor. “It felt quite moving to be able to deliver the talk after they had done that.” The whole Dr Martens team wore pink for the occasion – including the CFO, in a neon pink beanie hat. Iconic.

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

“It is definitely worth doing! No matter what your experience with breast cancer is, it feels so fulfilling to be able to share a message that can save lives. Everyone I have met via CoppaFeel! has been so lovely – from the very supportive CoppaFeel! team to the other volunteers.”

What does Volunteers’ Week mean to you?

“A chance to speak about a cause that I am privileged to be able to spend my free time championing –  to make sure that as many people as possible can catch their diagnosis early too.”

When Katie describes how she approaches her Boobette talks “a mix of real talk, humour and honesty” she’s also, pretty perfectly, describing what makes our community so special.

Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, with no family history. Hearing Kris’s story and meeting others who’d also been diagnosed young opened her eyes to just how many people are affected – and how vital it is to have voices shouting about early detection.

What’s been your most memorable moment?

“My most memorable moment as a Boobette has to be an in-person stall at Boux Avenue. I spoke to so many young people who not only hadn’t heard of CoppaFeel!, but had never been told to check their chests.”

It was one of those days where the impact was visible in real time. “Watching people’s faces change as they realise how important this simple habit is – knowing that a single conversation could one day help someone spot a change early –  is incredibly rewarding. Moments like that remind me exactly why this work matters.”

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

“Do it. You’re not only helping to raise awareness and spread CoppaFeel!’s incredibly important message – you’re also joining a truly special community of people who care deeply about making a difference. It’s meaningful, it’s fun, and it’s something you’ll never regret being part of.”

What does Volunteers’ Week mean to you?

“Volunteers’ Week is a moment to pause and appreciate all the fabulous people who give their time, energy and heart to support this amazing cause. CoppaFeel! are incredibly supportive and genuinely appreciative of each and every volunteer – you really feel seen, valued and part of something bigger. It’s a lovely chance to celebrate that community and the brilliant work we’re all doing together.”