Family Values: Lucy, Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps

Meet Lucy

Lucy was a young teenager when she first heard about My Sisters’ House. At the very same kitchen table the idea of the women’s centre was formed, Lucy once poured cereal, spilled juice, and ate dinner. To Lucy, My Sisters’ House was raised alongside her, originating in her family home. As daughter of the CEO and Founder of the centre, Julie Budge, Lucy acknowledges, ‘My Sisters’ House has always been a part of my life.’

Reflecting on her childhood, Lucy recalls her mother coming home after work at My Sisters’ House and often talking to Lucy about her day. She laughs, ‘I’d get all the gossip about the innerworkings of the centre.’ Sitting with Julie around their dining table, Lucy would ‘Hear about all of these amazing things, all of the challenges and the struggles, that were happening at My Sisters’ House.’

Lucy’s unique insight into the centre was what first encouraged her to begin contributing to MSH three years ago. ‘It started with Mum asking me to help with things, like making posters,’ Lucy explains.

Competent with design and graphics, Lucy’s occasional helping hand became her job at the centre. She reflects on her role, ‘Where I’ve grown up in this generation, I find it easier using technology and social media.’

It’s now been six months since Lucy started working permanently at MSH. In charge of all of the graphics for the centre, Lucy was responsible for the whole rebranding process. She determined the new colour palette, font and layouts, and changes made to the previous logo. The new look Lucy designed for My Sisters’ House has completely modernized the brand, and is now carried across all posters, flyers, and social media posts led by Lucy.

Her new focus for the centre is on updating the My Sisters’ House website. ‘I’m learning code to do the website,’ she smiles. ‘It’s all very exciting.’

Now heading the development of the My Sisters’ House brand, Lucy reflects on the evolution of the centre she witnessed while growing up. ‘The old centre could barely fit two desks in it,’ she describes. ‘They added a toy corner for the mums who were coming in with their children, and in that space the team outgrew the centre in six months.’

Lucy also witnessed the strain on her mother, ‘They were constantly outgrowing the different centres. I could see how much it stressed Mum.’

The new, larger centre, that grew from one of the several homes My Sisters’ House have occupied over the years, is now both Julie and Lucy’s base. ‘I think the other places just weren’t meant to be,’ Lucy admits. ‘We now have this huge space here with room for everyone to be in the same place. It’s appropriate for what Mum wants the centre to be.’

Lucy has also noticed the growth of My Sisters’ Houses’ social media accounts, noting ‘Six months ago there was less than one thousand likes on our Facebook page. Now we’re at two and a bit thousand.’

In the near future Lucy will be progressing herself, beginning her online studies for a degree in Graphic Design with the University of Creative Arts.

Being raised alongside the centre, Lucy feels My Sisters’ House is ‘An integral part of my life.’ Even now she’s often surprised by how many others are also connected to the centre. Lucy comments, ‘I meet people on a daily basis who’ve had some sort of interaction, whether by donating or dropping in, with My Sisters’ House.’ She adds, ‘I’ve even met people who’ve shared tissues and cups of tea with Mum at the centre. I’ve told them my name and they’ve realised I’m her daughter.’

It’s moments like these, and the opportunity to get some experience in her chosen career, that make Lucy feel so fortunate about being a part of My Sisters’ House. As for the team, ‘I don’t have a bad word to say about anyone,’ Lucy smiles. ‘Everyone can bring their own experiences to the centre. It makes for a solid, relatable, and compassionate team. It’s really wonderful.’

Though Lucy tags the women’s centre as ‘Mum’s thing,’ after talking with her it’s clear that it’s so much more than that. It’s the family values, female relationships, parent child bond which formed and continue to shape My Sisters’ House. As for Julie’s legacy, Lucy is here to stay. When it comes to the future of My Sisters’ House, these two will guarantee its permanency. Like mother like daughter, neither one will budge.