Maria became a Letters of Hope volunteer because she would like other people going through a hard time to know that they are not alone and can get support.

Maria is caring, kind and compassionate. She is passionate about mental health, helping others and exercise.

Her favourite things include eating with her greek/persian family, reading, cooking, and writing.

Mollie became a Letters of Hope volunteer because she loves connecting with people and even though she is young, she has had a lot of life experience, especially of the type that people shouldn't have to experience at such a young age.

She would love to find a way to give back and provide hope and kindness to those who need in the way that she has received help and kindness.

Mollie is an empathetic, book loving, beach dweller who is passionate about: animals, mental health, people not feeling isolated and diversity & inclusion.

Mollie’s hobbies are reading (all the books!). All the animals, but specifically her 2 cats and dog, and cooking & cookbooks.

Consolato became a volunteer because he is committed to working towards creating an environment where people feel comfortable talking about their feelings without fear or judgement. He is compassionate, considerate, empathetic.

Consolato enjoys reading, cooking, ten pin bowling, walking (he loves doing his steps), and binge watching too much TV.

Freya is warm, self-confident and creative. She experiences anxiety and depression, and knows that sometimes, a kind word from someone sees your struggle is all the light you need to keep going. If she can be that light to someone, then Freya feels that her mental health experience is worthwhile.

Freya is a mental health social worker, so is super passionate about helping people find the light in their life, especially when it comes to advocating for them in the world!

Freya loves dancing, the beach and her dogs.

Nicholle describes herself as funny, quirky and tired! (she has chronic fatigue syndrome). She was inspired to be a Letters of Hope volunteer due to her own mental health and physical health struggles.

After a suicide attempt, the support from those around Nicholle gave her hope when she was not able to see any hope from within. She believes that everyone deserves to have people like that around them.

Nicholle is passionate about her dogs and people who care about her, and her favourite things are: vintage hair and fashion, dachshunds, mental health support, languages and NRL football.

Beth is honest, caring and adventurous. She loves to write and personally suffers with her mental health so would love to make someone’s day who is struggling with the world 💗

As well as being a passionate Letter Writer, Beth is passionate about animals, writing, yoga and sport. She also likes walking and reading.

Janice is kind, thoughtful and hard working. She wanted to become a letter writer because this can be a lonely world for some people, so to let them know that people do care is important. Janice always encouraged family workers to write a support/strength letter to families when she supervised family workers a few years ago.

Janice is passionate about fairness, and she likes finishing a gym class, she has just started trying to paint, and in Janice’s words “Sadly, I like chocolate” (me too Janice!)

Kathryn is a passionate, reliable and joyful volunteer who loves writing letters and has a friend who she has been exchanging letters with for 40+ years. She gets so excited when she sees a letter from him in the mail box, and would love to share this feeling with others.

Kathryn is passionate about her family, and hiking, and her favourite things are painting, sewing and spending time in nature.

Bonnie has Long Covid and has been stuck in bed for months. An Occupational Therapist by background, Bonnie hates being idle while recovering. Bonnie also understands what it means to need hope and connection in a whole new way since getting sick!

Bonnie loves learning. She is doing her PhD on the accessibility of public transport; she is passionate about inclusion you can feel, a practical, experience led approach to advocacy.

Bonnie likes reading, art, miniatures, and British TV. Bonnie says she is not very good at baking but loves doing that with her kids.

“ I'm a positive person most of the time but being an empath, I have experienced times of real struggle. I know what it's like to be in a bad headspace and oftentimes it's difficult to pull yourself out of darkness. I have done a lot of work to live in a place of gratitude for all that I have. My intention with Letters of Hope is to be a catalyst for change or an inspiration for someone that is having a hard time. I love poetry, quotes and spiritual guidance and like to share resources that have helped me. I love collecting, reading and re-reading inspirational advice. If you are ever on Instagram and you're having a bad day, hopefully something I posted will resonate. I post with @SuperstarLeslie. I hope you enjoy my letters and that they brighten your day!

With Love and Light,

Leslie”

Emma is caring, intuitive and determined. As a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Mental Health is something that Emma is really passionate about and she has watched friends and loved ones struggles with their mental health and feel like they had nobody to listen or turn to.

Emma believes that Letters of Hope is such a powerful way to connect with someone and remind them they are not alone - a simple letter to remind them of their strength, their courage and that there is someone (even a stranger) who cares and thinks the world is a better place with them in it.

In her spare time, Emma loves reading, spending time with family and friends and she does love a good Netflix binge on the weekend! Self-care is really important and something we often neglect. She also has a Staffy that she loves taking on walks and spending time with.

Jasey is loud, fun and kind, and she joined Letters of Hope as a volunteer because to give hope is to give it all, and a letter in the mail is way better than a bill!

Jasey is passionate about kindness, and her favorite things are: horse riding, baseball & ocean dips.

Sally is a loyal, kind, purpose-led volunteer who would like to let others know that they are not alone, and that people do care.

Sally is passionate about making a difference, even if it is only small (or seems small), as she believes in the good in others.

Sally’s favorite things are dogs, family and chocolate!

Bonnie wanted to write letters of hope because she has been helped by so many people for so many years, and she would like to do something to help others.

Bonnie is positive, happy and compassionate, and she is passionate about music (a mixture of pop, jazz and classical), the visual arts (she loves the new HOTA gallery on the Gold Coast!), and interior design, which was an unfulfilled dream of Bonnie's, so she reads decorating mags instead.

Bonnie's favourite things are chocolate, attending concerts and performances, and socialising with her hubby and friends.