Some ideas come from research. Some come from solving a problem. LydiaGlo came from someone very special: my grandmother, Lydia.
She was my beacon of light. My safe haven. The person who made me feel safe, loved and protected when life around me didn’t always feel that way. When I think about who shaped me and gave me my strongest sense of safety and belonging, I think of her.
Most of my memories of her are found in the everyday moments that made me feel cared for. Whenever I was sick, she was the one who comforted me and made sure I was okay.
I remember sitting with her watching EastEnders and Coronation Street while she dyed her hair. They bored me to tears, but I wanted to be with her.
I loved her cooking. My mouth would water whenever she made freshly battered snapper and homemade chips.
When no one else was around, we would make ice cream sundaes with chocolate syrup and peanuts. It became our little tradition.
It wasn’t just what she did. It was the way she made me feel. After I came out of hospital following an accident, I became frustrated by how limited my movement was. I still remember her kind, gentle voice encouraging me and reassuring me that I was going to be okay. I remember the familiar scent of her Pond’s cream too. Even now, whenever I am faced with challenges or difficult times, I hear her voice giving me the strength and love to carry on.
Even though she's no longer here, I still carry her with me every day.
These memories represent something much bigger. With her, I felt cared for, encouraged, safe and at home. That feeling is at the heart of what I hope others will find through LydiaGlo.
LydiaGlo represents a place where people can find support, encouragement and the confidence to take their first step.
Looking back, I realise Nana gave me something that has stayed with me my entire life. She made me feel that I mattered. That simple feeling has shaped far more of Tai Ora than I ever imagined.
Naming LydiaGlo after Nana was never really a business decision. It was a way of honouring someone whose love, strength and stability helped shape who I am. If LydiaGlo can help someone feel less alone, offer them a place to begin and give them even a small sense of the love and support Nana gave me, then I believe it carries her legacy in the best way possible.
Nana, I love you and miss you every single day. ❤️