About Us

ACTING CO-MANAGER

George grew up in Ōtepoti and enjoys the challenge of constantly learning and reflecting in her work. One of the highlights of her role is running public education sessions, where she can talk about the realities of living with mental health or addiction challenges and see people’s curiosity grow into understanding.

In her spare time, George loves creating in many forms, gardening, walking her dog, volunteering, and running - though she admits her pace is more of a gentle jog.

She carries with her the sage words of Marie Curie… “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood...”

ACTING CO-MANAGER

Grant grew up mostly in Christchurch. In his role, he values the moments when people feel heard and understood, and has a deep appreciation for the way sharing experiences of distress between people can be uplifting and foster genuine connection.

Outside of work, Grant enjoys wandering through secondhand bookshops, exploring his family history through genealogy, and spending time in nature.

He carries with him the simple yet powerful advice he’s been given: not to give advice, allowing space for others to find their own path.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Helen Sue grew up in Mornington, Dunedin, and in a previous life imagines herself as a cat curled up in the sun — eat, sleep, repeat. In her role, she enjoys learning from others and the sharing of experiences.

When she’s not at work, Helen loves tending her vegetable garden, and if there were ever an office talent show, she’d wow everyone with her drain laying skills and retaining wall building.

The best piece of advice she’s ever received is that when travelling overseas, it pays to carry some US dollars — they’re almost always accepted, and she’s been glad of that wisdom more than once.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Ngaire grew up mostly in Ōtepoti Dunedin and once worked as a vegetarian chef. These days, she enjoys the authenticity her current role allows, and the relief of working without the stress and pressure of previous jobs.

In her spare time, she loves gardening, walking, and baking vegan treats and if there were ever an office talent show, Ngaire could wow everyone with her super-speedy carrot peeling.

She holds close the advice to “Be kind to yourself” and the words of Pema Chödrön: You are the sky — everything else is just the weather.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Vicki grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, and once worked as a snowsports instructor. These days, she enjoys working alongside people to help them achieve their goals.

When she’s not at work, Vicki loves relaxing with her three much-loved cats. For fun, she loves skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, and rollerblading - and honing her juggling skills!

The best advice she’s ever received is to look after yourself before looking after someone else.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Olive feels incredibly lucky to walk alongside her tangata whaiora as they explore ways of navigating this complex world. She values the learning and growing that happens together, and believes in the power of making connections, showing up as best we can, and building strong paths for our future selves and our communities.

Olive is the oldest of two siblings (with two more by marriage), and has two tamariki, one 20 year old first born grandchild, and one 13 year old, the first tane grandchild. She whakapapas to the Isle of Man, Scotland, and Kent, England. Ōtepoti is the birthplace of her tamariki, while she and her parents were born in Tāmaki Makaurau.

A working-class wahine, Olive believes deeply in collective power and is an abolitionist of all spaces that create and perpetuate colonial oppression. At heart, she cares most about people and community. The best advice she’s ever received is to “break things down into pieces” - taking a little at a time so even big challenges feel manageable.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Denise grew up in Ravensbourne, Dunedin as one of eight siblings, though she has sadly lost two brothers and a sister. She treasures time with her whānau and is kept busy with plenty of granddaughters, thanks to her four sons.

In her role, she most enjoys walking alongside people and sharing in the learning that comes from each other’s experiences.

The best advice she’s ever been given came from a university tutor: there is no stupid question — the question you don’t ask is the stupid one.

COMMUNICATION AND ADMIN ASSISTANT

Jenny grew up playing in the forests and surf of the Waitākere Ranges in Auckland, although she was born on the Welsh borders in England. In previous chapters of her life, she has been many things — a chef, landscape designer, environmental educator, conservation field worker, bar manager, and vineyard worker.

What Jenny appreciates most about her current role is the people she works alongside, and being part of an organisation where her lived (and living) experience of mental distress is not only accepted but valued.

Outside of work, she loves being outdoors, whether sitting in a forest, walking on the beach, or lying in the sun. She also enjoys climbing and singing — and at an office talent show, she’d probably share a song.

The best advice Jenny has ever been given is to treat herself like her best friend.