Ally wanted to become a volunteer because she has been through many dark times in her life, and there wasn't always someone there to help her through it. She understands how isolating it can be when you feel helpless, and like you don't matter.

However, behind every dark cloud is a rainbow waiting to appear, and Ally said she would love to be that little bit of hope or inspiration to someone.

Ally is empathetic, generous and funny. She is passionate about helping people and making the world a better place for everyone. It costs nothing to be kind, as we never know what people are going through.

Ally loves being out in nature, gardening, and being around family and friends. She loves meeting new people and learning from them. She also loves cooking and baking, and is currently really into fitness.

Margaret is a card maker and would love to send the handmade cards she creates to those who need them.

Margaret is friendly, kind and caring, and she is passionate about seeing the beauty in the everyday.

Her favourite things are spending time with my family and friends, walking, photography, yoga, papercrafting and reading.

Sarita has been in a dark place herself in the past, and one person who confronted her and just knew she was struggling.

That one person and that one conversation led Sarita back on a path to still being alive today. Sarita wants to give that back to someone else who is struggling and feels like they don’t matter. Because that sometimes just one person or one little thing can make all the difference.

Sarita is kind, empathetic, and non-judgemental. She is passionate about giving a voice to those who can’t speak up and supporting them to fight for themselves.

Sarita’s favourite things are writing, travel, food.

Rachel has an amazing life, but has recently struggled with emotional instability since a right temporal lobectomy at the end of last year.

She loved writing letters when she was a kid and she thinks it would be fab to put pen to paper again. She would love to give a piece of happiness to someone who probably deserves it, but may not realise that they do.

Rachel is fun, entertaining and creative. She loves music, songwriting, performing and music.

Her favourite things are eating, cooking, singing, playing guitar, writing songs, chatting with friends, live music, and dancing at live gigs.

Diana is a writer and wanted to do something in the service of others. She knows the power of small acts of kindness. Spreading hope not only helps the one taking the action, but it also helps to make the world a better place.

During Diana’s lifetime, she believes that social interaction has changed so much that we've lost touch with others and this has had a detrimental effect on our humanity. She wants to spread love, care, light because she thinks at the most fundamental level our purpose above all others is to act to make the world a better place through our actions.

Diana is thoughtful, insightful and energetic, and she is passionate about mindfulness and blessing the earth wherever she is.

Her favourite things are creative writing, reading, caring for the natural world (she walks in local bushland every morning), meditation, energy healing, qi gong, brain entrainment. Swimming. Passionfruit, mangoes, and home grown vegies.

Gen joined as a letter writer because she would love to share some of her Sparkle with someone who has forgotten theirs.

Gen is creative, loving and excitable, and she is passionate about people, growth and connection.

Her favourite things are friendship, her children, her dog Xena, yoga, running, music, dancing, sunshine and chocolate.

Tatia misses the joy of handwritten letters! She has experienced mental health struggles in her life too, and would love to know that the beauty of handwritten letters could brighten someone's day.

Tatia is creative, courageous and chatty. She is passionate about books - reading them, writing them, talking about them!

Her favourite things are reading, writing, playing with her Granddaughter and working in community.

Hollie has always loved sending and receiving letters, and the idea that a little piece of mail could brighten someone’s day gives her so much happiness. She believes that words are powerful, so being able to speak positive words into someone’s life when they are going through a rough patch is an amazing gift.

Hollie is happy, kind and easy-going . She is passionate about social justice and her favourite things are books, cats, nature and she is a massive sweet tooth.

Sue became a letter writer because her heart breaks for those out there who struggle with depression. She would sincerely hope that a letter from her would brighten a person’s day and give them hope.

Sue is Compassionate, Empathetic, and an Encourager who is passionate about lifting people up.

She loves being creative. She crochets for charity and loves using her computer graphic skills to bless others.

Arthur became a letter writer because Letters of Hope has helped him, and he loves the movement where people help people. This is his opportunity to give back in a small way and support this great cause. Arthur has been wanting to give back and share his own mental health journey which might just help others.

Arthur is kind, empathetic and loving. He is passionate about sports, mental health and family, and his favourite things are: skiing, boardgames, eating out and travel.

Rachel become a Letter Writer after reading an article about Letters of Hope founder, Abbie, and her struggles with OCD. Rachel said it was like she was reading about herself. She suffers from OCD and experienced a similar journey.. It took her many years to understand what she was going through. Having a supportive voice or a shoulder to lean on can mean a world of difference to so many people! Rachel said: “Letters of Hope is a beautiful cause, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”.

Rachel is creative, funny, and a chocoholic. She is passionate about gaming, storytelling or relaxation for adults (the importance of play and imagination beyond childhood, which she thinks is important part of mental health for many people)

In addition to gaming, Rachel’s favourite things are cross-stitching, tiny homes and houses, ASMR, chocolate and cuddles with her pup!

Janine wanted to join letters of Hope because she said “I'm a bit old school. I think getting a letter is so much more personal than a text message. I am a writer at heart. My Granddaughter (10) said ‘Nanny you should write stories coz you're so good at it.’ So if l could put words to paper for someone that would appreciate it and help them in any way that would be wonderful”

Janine is caring, unselfish and happy, and is passionate about: her family, her health and helping others where she can.

She loves cooking, her garden and the babysitting days.

Julia is empathetic, gentle and fun. She loves the idea of people being able to request a letter in their dark times, after having come from dark places herself. She thinks it is amazing what a simple word can do to brighten your day.

Julia is passionate about helping those with Mental Illness do it in alternative ways. Her pooches are her children and her life, and she loves being with family and friends.

If potatoes and chocolate were the only food left on the planet, she would be a happy woman! Julia loves delving into books, reading is a passion she must do every day.

She loves spirituality and learning skills to help herself and others. Julia says her dogs are her life, and they are pretty cute if she does say so herself.

Nicole is caring, funny and worldly. She became a volunteer for Letters of Hope, as she believes it is such a novel way to reach out to someone who may need it. Reading something personal is so special. It’s a hug on a page!

Nicole is passionate about writing - she is a blogger. She is also passionate about family (she comes from a big one!) and travel, as it opens your eyes to the world.

Her favourite things are travel, the beach, walking, yoga, art and music.

Steph is empathetic, quirky and creative. She personally struggles with anxiety disorders, including OCD, and has been through some really tough, dark times.

Steph can lend an empathic, non-judgemental ear to anyone who needs some hope in their day. She believes that to take the time to write someone a letter can be very thoughtful and creative process. And it's always such a joy to receive some happy mail.

Steph is passionate about reducing the stigma around mental health and creative, mindful activities that are free from screen time and connect people.

Steph’s favourite things are stickers, stationery and snail mail! Steph and her friends are the ultimate nerds when it comes to trying random crafts and puzzles. They also love visiting restaurants and travel. Can't forget Steph’s love of cats and coffee too!

Shan describes herself as an empathetic, awkward and funny wife and mother who is also an expat. She has experienced the challenges that come from being disconnected from your family and the struggle to make new connections as an adult - it can be a lonely space.

Having been through tough times and leaning heavily on her network of supportive friends and family, Shan understands how important connection is.

Shan hopes that through volunteering for Letters of Hope, she can use her experiences to show empathy and kindness to someone else who is struggling.

Shan is a mental health first aider and believes that everyone should feel psychologically safe to be open about their struggles. This is a shame free zone!

Shan is passionate about animals, people and food. She loves time with her family and friends, but also the solitude of binging Netflix, a good book or a long walk with her headphones and Spotify.

Nadia became a Letters of Hope volunteer because she thought Letters of Hope sounded like a caring and supportive way to contribute to the community and she would like to be a part of that.

Nadia is compassionate, positive and adventurous. She is passionate about: education, sewing, surfing, walking, cooking and dancing.

Her favourite things are tea, fruit, travelling and swimming.

Nina joined as a Letter Writer as they have been through a lot with their mental health and would like to be there to support others along their journey.

Nina is currently studying mental health peer work at TAFE and is passionate about helping others. They love sending letters and drawing.

Nina describes themself as creative, happy and gentle, and is passionate about: art, surfing, mental health, gardening and walking.

Nina’s favourite things are art, surfing, miso soup, surfboard art and fruit.

Rachael’s Dad passed away suddenly in December 2022, he was her best friend and someone who understood her.

Rachael requested a letter for herself and her mum from Letters of Hope. During such a horrible time for myself, the letter she received put a smile on her face and truly made her day.

After Rachael’s son was born July 2022, she got postnatal anxiety. She found this to be difficult and required a lot of help from her husband, family and friends. She has always suffered from anxiety most of her adult life but found this to be entirely different.

Rachael became a Letter Writer so that she can help others amongst their dark days and put a smile on their face. She wants to channel her grief into something good for people who need that extra smile and light in their life.

Rachael is a Mama of 2 beautiful young boys who keep her on her toes, and is wanting to set an example for them around mental health, helping others and being kind.

Rachael describes herself as impatient, caring and strong willed. She is passionate about being a mother, wife and daughter as well as mental health.

Rachael’s favourite things are Japanese food, the beach, spending time with her family and gaming. She also loves coffee (as Rachael says, what mother doesn't live off coffee?!)

Roy is positive, respectful and compassionate. He is a recently retired English teacher who loves to write. He enjoys writing poetry and handwrites his work using a fountain pen.

Roy says “although my handwriting is not the best, I know the added impact of receiving a letter of hope that is handwritten rather than digital.” (we must say, Roy infact has great handwriting!)

Roy migrated to Australia with his young family 25 years ago and at first it was a lonely and challenging experience, as they had no other family here. Their first few Christmases were tinged with sadness. As a family they overcame these challenges.

Having lived experience of mental health, Roy also facilitates mental health workshops. He believes in the powerful benefits of connection and understands the difference it makes to receive a personal letter in the mail.

Roy enjoys making a difference, self-care, self-development, and providing others with a sense of belonging.

As well as reading and writing poetry, Roy’s hobbies include communing with nature, keeping fit and active both mentally and physically, cycling around the bike paths in Perth, and meeting mates one on one for coffee catch ups.