CEO and Founder of Letters of Hope.
CEO and Founder of Letters of Hope.
Meet Abbie Williams, the Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year, who’s smashing mental health stigmas like a piñata, one heartfelt letter at a time.
Her brainchild, Letters of Hope, is a not-for-profit organisation that began with a simple but powerful mission: spread kindness and compassion through handwritten letters to those in need. These notes of encouragement, packed with coping strategies and support contacts, bring a personal touch that’s creating ripples of change across Australia and New Zealand.
Having faced her own mental health struggles as a teen, Abbie’s dedication to connecting with others and spreading kindness is truly heartwarming. We chatted with Abbie about her journey as the CEO and founder of Letters of Hope. She shared her passion for mental health advocacy and how she finds joy in the everyday.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I have now been a Gold Coast local for 7 years! I moved out here from the UK in 2017, and have called the Gold Coast home ever since. It’s certainly different from my hometown which is Leeds in the UK, a place that is much colder.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Definitely the beaches. I remember visiting Burleigh Heads the day after I landed in Australia and getting an acai bowl. I instantly felt at home. The beach is my go-to place whenever I feel stressed, anxious or am having a bad mental health day. There is something about dipping your toes in the ocean that brings a huge sense of calm. It’s still one of my favourite spots, along with Tallebudgera Creek.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Professionally, I’m the CEO and Founder of Letters of Hope, an organisation I started in 2018 to send handwritten letters to individuals facing tough times. Our mission is to spread kindness, raise mental health awareness, and break the stigma surrounding it. The letters we send include helpful coping strategies, words of empowerment, and support to those who are struggling.
On a personal note, I’m passionate about mental health advocacy and believe in the power of social connection, kindness, and compassion. I also have a fur baby named Benji, who is a Chug and he brings a lot of joy and mischief into my life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, walking, spending time at the beach, reading poetry, journaling, and exploring new places.
What inspired you to start Letters of Hope?
Letters of Hope was born from my personal journey and lived experience with anxiety and depression, which began in my teens. During my darkest moments, I felt very much alone despite being surrounded by people. Eventually, I reached out for support and embarked on my recovery journey, finding ways to manage my mental health and live a meaningful, fulfilling life.
After moving from Leeds, UK, to Australia in 2017, I started exchanging letters with my grandparents back home. Receiving their letters brought me such joy, especially on tough days. It was then that I realised the powerful impact of a simple, heartfelt letter. I wanted to share that feeling with others and bring light to those in need, showing them that someone out there does care and that they are not alone.
Why do you think there is still such a strong stigma around mental health, and how can initiatives like Letters of Hope help to break it?
I definitely think that the stigma around mental health has improved drastically in the last couple of years, though there is definitely a way to go. We seem to put a lot more pressure on ourselves, and sometimes others, when it comes to mental health vs. physical health. Even myself, a mental health advocate, on a bad mental health day can be really hard on myself, as if I have a sense of control over what is happening to me. Ideally, I think we need to view mental health in the same way that we view physical health: if we have an illness, we get support and treat it. If we see someone with a physical illness, we accommodate them and make sure they are comfortable as they recover.
The thing I am really loving about Letters of Hope is that our initiative seems to transcend generations – people of all ages are resonating with what we are doing, because it’s a really simple concept: if you are feeling down – whatever the reason – you can request a letter filled with kind words. That appeals to people, even if they do fear stigma, because it’s a moment of simple connection. In my view, that is what breaking down the stigma comes down to: kindness, compassion and understanding. And we are showing people that from complete strangers.
What efforts does Letters of Hope make to educate the community about mental health?
Because Letters of Hope was born from lived experience, I have always been able to use it as a vehicle to share my own lived experience with the world. That was scary at first, but I quickly saw how much people responded to the vulnerability and authenticity whenever I shared my struggles. The majority of our volunteer base also have lived experience, and that means we are continuously amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.
I think that is something that is absolutely crucial when it comes to educating the community about mental health, being able to share real life experiences and stories to promote understanding and awareness. Our letters haven’t just saved lives, but also increased helpseeking behaviours amongst letter recipients. We share support contacts in each letter, so this creates the opportunity to share helpful information with those who need it the most and ensure that they are connected to the support they need.
What advice or message do you have for individuals who may be hesitant to seek help for their mental health or well-being?
To anyone hesitant to seek support for their mental health, I want you to know that you are not alone, and there is help available out there. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about seeking help, but taking that first step can make a world of difference. My favourite quote is “focus on the step in front of you, not the entire staircase” – so focus on that tiny step in front of you, then the next thing, then the next thing.
I avoided seeking support for so many years, and for a number of different reasons. When I reflect, I wish I’d done it sooner because I now have a toolkit and strategies to lean on when things get tough. I never thought that I’d come this far, but I am so pleased that I have.
It might start with seeing a GP, or if that is too overwhelming as a first step, reaching out to a free helpline (BeyondBlue has an online chat service that I use frequently!)
How do you recruit and engage volunteers to write letters, and what motivates them to participate?
Letters of Hope has grown beyond what I ever would have imagined across the last couple of years. People often find out about us through word of mouth, social media, or even receiving a letter – we are seeing this beautiful cycle of letter recipients becoming letter writers which I love. Most of our volunteers are motivated by their own journey and own lived experiences, which makes their letters all the more powerful. I’m so inspired by them each and every day and have been lucky to see the good out there in the world. Given that you can write letters from anywhere, we can reach people who might not otherwise be able to volunteer whether that be because of location, a disability, or struggling for time. Our volunteers contribute in a way that works for them, whether they write a letter every day or once a year. People can register at www.lettersofhope.care
What does the future have in store for Letters of Hope?
Given how quickly we have grown, I hope to see that growth continue. I want to reach more and more people and show them that they are not alone, and I want to continue to inspire people to show kindness to others in the community. I’d love for more people to learn about what we are doing, and recognise how much a small act of kindness can impact someone’s life. I think that’s a message we need to get out there more.
We have had a lot of Corporate support through our workplace mental health programs, including Mental Health First Aid, which fund our charity’s operations. I can’t wait to see that grow more so that we can educate more people about mental health in the workplace, which is so important given that it’s where people spend a lot of their time.
I enjoy working with schools and youth groups, because sometimes it feels like I am speaking to teenage Abbie! So I want us to be able to eventually do more in that space.
What are your Gold Coast favourites:
Café: Side Piece, Varsity Lakes. It’s my daily go-to coffee spot. Their menu is delicious, and their sweet treats (especially the cookies and portuguese tarts) are incredible. Not to mention the staff being so warm and friendly.
Restaurant: My family are visiting soon from the UK, and the first thing they have asked me to do is book a table at On Fire Greek Restaurant in Broadbeach. I took them there last time they came, and they were honestly blown away by the amazing food.
Bar: I don’t know if this counts, because I am yet to try their Gin Bar (have been meaning to for a while) but I absolutely love Miami Marketta. The atmosphere, the music, the food!
Beach: Burleigh Heads/Tallebudgera Creek (it’s hard to choose between the two and I often visit them both the same day!)
How do you choose to spend your days off?
I try to focus a lot on self-care on my days off. I love going out for food, checking out great local spots and sharing it with loved ones, spending time outside walking whether that be on the beach or in the hinterland, I enjoy reading and journaling, and I’ve recently gotten into baking which is such a peaceful experience. I also spend lots of time with my dog Benji.
This week is International Men’s Health Week. In 2023, the specific focus of Men’s Health Week is Healthy Habits- focusing on encouraging men and boys to build healthy habits by identifying small changes they can make that benefit their health and well-being. What better time to introduce you to Brock Day, founder of Sana Days, an amazing charity dedicated to promoting physical activity and well-being initiatives as a tool to manage mental health?
The loss of his father to mental illness inspired Brock to start a charity dedicated to preventing others from experiencing the same heartbreak. By fostering a community of understanding, compassion, and proactive intervention, Sana Days aims to play a pivotal role in preventing suicide and saving lives. All proceeds are channelled back into community initiatives, events and awareness. We chatted with Brock about his vision to break down barriers by providing options for people to exercise, engage with the community and look after their mental health.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve been on the Gold Coast for 4 years. Originally grew up on the Sunshine Coast and moved here in 2019.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
I’d have to say the community and the landscape. I love the community of people I have met especially through through fitness. Also being able to access amazing beaches and have the hinterland at your disposal.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, I am 32 years of age, Originally grew up on the Sunshine Coast and completed school/a business degree at university there. Had an amazing upbringing with a loving family and great group of mates. Played a lot of rugby, rode dirt bikes, travelled, lived by the beach and enjoyed keeping fit and healthy. Nowadays I don’t play rugby I enjoy different challenges to keep me fit. Such as strength and conditioning training, triathlons and running. I currently work in hospitality and have been for the better part of 12 years. Ranging from Cafes, Restaurants, bars and before I moved to the Gold Coast was managing a poke bowl restaurant. With that came the opportunity to move to the Gold Coast and so I packed my bags and relocated. Unfortunately, that career move didn’t pan out but it opened a new opportunity to pursue something I am super passionate about which is mental health and physical activity.
For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about Sana Days?
Sana Days is a mental health charity I started with the mission of promoting physical activity to manage mental health. The mind and body have such a strong connection and I know personally what it does for my mental health, so now I’m trying to promote it to others.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting Sana Days and what motivated you to create this organisation?
The main inspiration and reason behind Sana Days is I tragically lost my dad to suicide back In 2013. No one should have to endure what my family did and I couldn’t just sit by and not do anything about it. Now my pain fuels my purpose, which is helping others feel good through physical activity.
How do you approach destigmatizing mental health and promoting overall well-being through Sana Days?
Our main focus areas for promoting Sana Days are through community initiatives, events, clothing and awareness. We hope to create supportive environments for people to feel inclusive and inspire them to do something positive for their mental health. Spreading the Sana Days name will help create that awareness around mental health and promote our message “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. Currently, we have weekly run clubs on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast that are free and anyone is welcome. Whilst targeting bigger events like marathons, triathlons, challenges, and collaborating with like-minded businesses, we believe we can give people the tools early to manage their mental health.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges or barriers that need to be addressed when it comes to mental health awareness and access to care?
Being a male it is often that we think that we need to be this strong, tough, provider, with a she’ll be right mentality. It is this stereotype that leads to a lot of mental health illnesses, because we bottle it up. So promoting that it isn’t a sign of weakness to get help or take time to prioritise mental health, is a great place to start breaking down the barriers. The other thing is more awareness around the benefits of implementing healthy habits into your lifestyle. Such as regular exercise, healthy eating, good sleeping routine, practising gratitude etc. All these habits can play a massive role in managing your mental health.
What advice or message do you have for individuals who may be hesitant to seek help for their mental health or well-being?
Don’t think it is normal or brush it off if you are struggling mentally. Regardless of how minor you may think it is, it will most likely only get worse and worse. We need to treat our mental health the same as our physical health. If you aren’t well, you need to seek help just like you would if you injured yourself physically. If speaking to a professional or GP is daunting start with a family member, friend, someone you trust and go from there.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: Now I’m not just saying this because I work there but Home Plate Kitchen in Burleigh Waters
Restaurant: Panchos Mexican, Mudgeeraba
Bar or place for a drink: Local, Burleigh
Beach: Talle Creek
How do you choose to spend your days off?
Going for a run/training, coffee, beach, catching up with friends, Enjoying good food and some downtime.
Sure, there’s abs-olutely no shortage of ways to get fit on the GC – but what about when you don’t want to feel the burn on the ‘ole hip pocket too?
When it comes to keeping active on the cheap, of course you’ve got your beach, bush walks, stair runs & bike tracks – but what about when you’re craving something outside of the more obvious suspects? *Cue crickets*
If finding ways to get fit, flexible or sweaty on the GC has you coming up empty-handed in more ways than one, we’ve compiled some of the best free and (super) low-cost options to get that heart rate up without breaking the bank!
Oh, and we crunched the numbers – with five free options in the mix, you’ll even have enough change left over for a sneaky oat latte for your efforts #thankuslater
Yoga pants at the ready, y’all!
Pilates
Zen Soul Life
Zen Soul Life
If you’re yet to become a devotee of the all-over body workout that is Pilates, the free and affordable weekly community sessions run by Zen Soul Life make it easy to change that. Don’t let the appearance of the low-impact movements fool you, this deceptively challenging workout will have you building strength, improving flexibility and – our personal fave – relieving back pain (a must for all the desk workers among us!).
When: Free sessions held Monday 9.30 am (during school terms) or various days and times (Paradise Point)
Where: Zen Soul Life, Pacific Pines Community Hub or Paradise Point Parklands
Cost: Free* (Pacific Pines) or $10
Move Strong – on the Mat
A hybrid program with a Pilates feel, Move Strong on the Mat is based around complementary resistance training and cardio techniques, designed and led by an accredited exercise scientist. Created to enhance your balance, coordination, cardiovascular health and muscular strength – sign us up! And from only $4 entry, this f-ab class is really not a stretch either.
When: Move Thursday 9 am and 10.30 am, Friday 9.15 am
Where: In Motion Health and Fitness, Benowa, Paradise Point & Labrador
Cost: $4–5
A&H Group Fitness
With a time slot that makes it ideal to squeeze in before work, and a fun and interactive group based environment designed for all fitness levels, the only thing standing in your way to live, laugh, lunge will be your ability to ignore the seductive allure of the snooze button. Go get your fix of strength, cardio, boxing and functional fitness movements all in one. With HOTA hosting multiple classes across the week that cost no more than a fiver; our reasons not to get our keister along for a solid sweat sesh really are diddly-squat.
When: Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 6 am
Where: HOTA, Surfers Paradise.
Cost: $5
Dance
Lights Out and Dance
We all know the mood-boosting properties of a spontaneous dance sesh, so why not take it to the next level and get fit while you tear up the d-floor? Lights Out and Dance is an immersive free-movement dance experience so fun you’ll forget you’re even exercising. Held in the evening at two convenient GC locations, what better way to ‘shake it off’ after the day that was, than having an abs-olute blast while you dance your heart out in the dark!
When: Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm
Where: Broadbeach Cultural Precinct, Broadbeach and Runaway Bay Youth Centre, Runaway Bay
Cost: $10 – bookings required
Yoga
This ‘Gentle Yin’ class is geared towards beginners, so the gentle movements will leave you feeling restored, rejuvenated and pose-itively put together no matter how manic your day has been! A combination of stretching, light isometric strength training and long holds at a restorative, slower pace. Glow on, get amongst it – your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
When: Tuesday at 4.30 pm
Where: Eleventh Avenue Community Space, Palm Beach
Cost: Free
For those of you a little further north, the savvy yoga sessions such as those hosted at various locations throughout Broadbeach may be a little more convenient for you. Designed to unify the body and mind, these open air classes are based around postures, movements and breath awareness while improving flexibility and strength. I really regret starting my day with that seaside yoga sesh – said no one ever.
When: Wednesday and Saturday (2 locations) 7 am
Where: Broadbeach Cultural Precinct, Kurrawa Park and Federation Park, Broadbeach
Cost: $5
Deep Water Running
For a cheap and cheerful workout that’ll really make a splash, get carried away with the benefits of deep water running! This low-impact workout option is ideal for people with injuries or limitations (but also, a great way to escape the humidity!) With beginner classes geared towards introducing you to the joy of combining cardio and for a full body workout and improving mobility without any worries about strain or injury.
When: Mudgeeraba – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (times vary) and Nerang, Thursday at 9.45 am
Where: Mudgeeraba (various locations) and Nerang Aquatic Centre
Cost: $3–$5
Tai Chi
Be moved by the healing martial art techniques that Tai Chi has to offer. A qualified instructor will guide you through a series of breathing and stretching techniques to help promote harmony, improve mobility, and increase alertness. The beach-side proximity is an added bonus that makes this class a martial-ous way to start your day.
When: Thursday 8am
Where: Kurrawa, Broadbeach
Cost: Free
Running
Parkrun
Ready to run Forrest, run? Or perhaps you’d prefer a spot of power walking to start your weekend on the right foot (hey, if it’s good enough for Kath and Kim, it’s good enough for us). No matter your preferred pace, hit the pavement with this fun, friendly and free weekly 5k community park run event! Great for people of all fitness levels to get those steps up – walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!
When: Saturday 7 am
Where: There are stacks of Parkrun locations across the Gold Coast. Including, Tallowwood Park, Coomera, The Esplanade, Paradise Point, Hollingdale Park, Main Beach, HOTA, Surfers Paradise, Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters, Varsity Lakes, Varsity Lakes and Darcy Doyle Park, Mudgeeraba and Kirra.
Cost: Free – registration required
Community Run Clubs
If you’re looking for a little push to peel yourself outta bed and punch out a sneaky few dozen km before breakfast, a community run club is the one for you. Hedges Run Club and Unfit Run Club are just two of many groups across the Coast bringing sweaty, like-minded souls together to make early morning mems whilst moving their bods. Cardio with a side of camaraderie – sounds infinitely funner, no?
When & Where: Hedges Run Club – 5am Wednesdays (outside Rafikis), Unfit Run Club – Thursdays and Saturdays, check the insta for deets as routes change weekly
Cost: Free – registration required
Words by Kellie Leader
Feeling a little ho-hum over your usual sweat sesh rotation? Or maybe your rickety rig has been feeling less like a temple and more like a ‘fixer upper’ of late?
Whether you revel in any reason to get the ole’ bod moving, or the thought of exercise bores you to your very core – having some exciting new options to throw in your trusty repertoire can never be a bad thing. So without further ado, here are 10 unique exercise experiences on the GC to try your hand at. Because, y’know, variety is the spice of life, and all that.
Retro Fit
Sweatbands, sweaty bods and lairy leg warmers as far as the eye can see – no, you have not stepped back to a simpler time when Aerobics Oz Style dominated our pre-dawn tele viewing (#NostalgiaAlert). We are, in actual fact, referring to Retro Fit, an assortment of 80’s themed aerobics sessions where you get to strut your stuff to all your favourite bygone bangers… so basically, the most fun one can have while working out. Held at The Junction in Burleigh Heads, there’s different types of sessions going down several times a week, so there’s really no excuse not to get down and… get physical [gyrating intensifies].
Where: 14 Junction Rd, Burleigh Heads
Lights Out and Dance
For the rhythmically challenged among us; if the chance get your groove on under the cover of pitch black darkness sounds a dream, get on down to Lights Out and Dance and ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ (literally). Get those endorphins flowing while you lose yourself to some sweet dance beats in what is basically the most unintimidating group setting you can get. The intuitive-style sessions are held in a dark room so you can work up a sweat shaking what your mama gave you without a care in the world; and have stacks of fun in the process. Post-workout glow, incoming!
Where: Broadbeach Cultural Centre, Hooker Blvd &, Sunshine Blvd, Broadbeach Waters and Runaway Bay Youth Centre, 379 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay
Puppy Yoga
No, we haven’t gone barking mad – Puppy Yoga is very much a thing… and yes, it’s exactly as amazing as it sounds. Picture down-dogging ’til hearts content, whilst being overrun by a sea of cute puppies! Hosted by the mindful fun and animal snuggle purveyors at Karmably, there’s various, oxytocin-boosting pop up dates held at Flow St8 throughout the year. Plus, we get to feel extra good knowing we’re helping socialise the pint-sized participants while we get our sweat on! Yep… it’s paw-ficial the perfect workout really does exist.
Where: Flow St8, 10 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach
Run Clubs
If your typical cardio rotation consists only of running away from your problems and jumping to conclusions, the various iterations of social run clubs that call the GC home will make a runner out of you yet. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can slide on in at snails pace without so much as a second glance, Parkrun is a perennial fave. With community events held weekly from Coomera through to Kirra, participants are welcome to walk, jog, run, or simply spectate. Or for a little extra incentive; we’d recommend checking out clubs that strategically plan their routes around our fine assortment of local watering holes, such as Unfit Run Club and Good Good Running.
Where: Assorted clubs/locations across the Gold Coast
Aerial yoga
If you’ve seen one tree pose, you’ve seen them all, right? Well, not necessarily… If you’re looking to shake up your usual stretch-and-breath sesh, Aerial yoga is where its at! Experience yoga from a whole new perspective, with an invigorating workout that involves performing poses gracefully suspended from a mix of hammock, silk and ring style contraptions. And the best part? You don’t even need to be a card-carrying yogi to get in on the fun! A variety of beginners classes mean people of all ages and abilities can learn the moves ‘on the fly’. Go on, why not give it a whirl!?
Where: Hapy Studio, 9/5 Traders Way, Currumbin
Therapy Fitness
When it comes to changing up the same ol’ workout grind, spin is hardly a revolutionary (geddit, heh) concept – but hear us out, because what we’re proposing is anything but your typical cycle class. At Therapy, Mermaid’s multi sensory fitness studio, the immersive ‘therapy’ sessions are all about boosting mental as well as physical wellbeing… and who doesn’t love a to-do list two-fer?! Combining music and movement, each of the fully integrated studio spaces have been optimised to get both the mind and the bod feeling fab. You’ll be glowing from the inside out in no time.
Where: Cnr Markeri St &, Southport Burleigh Rd Q Super Centre, Shop D2/D3, Mermaid Waters
Pound Fitness
Alright so remove any expectations you might have about what this entails and get excited for an extra fun time… because this workout ROCKS. Get ready to bliss out with ‘ya sticks out – fluro green drumsticks – that is, with the exhilarating full-body cardio jam session known simply as Pound. A rockstar-worthy workout that combines sweet beats with pilates inspired strength training and the sweat-dripping fun of drumming. What a time. Now this is the kind of exercise we could really ‘drum up’ some enthusiasm for! *ba dum tiss*.
Where: Various locations across the GC
Pole dancing
Does the thought of yet another yoga or pilates sesh low-key have you yawning? Why not step it up a notch and have a pole lot of fun challenging and contorting your core in ways you never even knew possible! Even if you’re not typically the flexy type; the pros behind some of our local studios promise there’s no previous experience or even coordination pre-requisites to give it a go! So really, we’ve got nothing to lose, and a whole lot of flexibility, and strength to gain. Sounds pretty badass to us.
Where: GCPOLEFIT, 87 Griffith St, Coolangatta and Rokh Fit Studio, Unit 2/19 Township Dr, Burleigh Heads
Cold Nips
What the heck is Cold Nips you ask? Well, basically, it’s a club dedicated to the art of starting your day with a nippy sunrise dip, that’s what. Promoting wellbeing and positive mental health, the national wellness initiative is all about finding joy and discomfort while connecting with like-minded peeps in nature, and how can you argue with a mood-boosting ritual like that? And to ensure they’re always keeping things fresh, each week’s mystery beach location is only revealed the Sunday night before.
Where: Locations vary weekly, check socials for deets.
NBHD HOT
If you’re in the mood to be challenged by more of a slow burn style workout – never fear GC, we gotchu… or at least, the Coast’s first infrared hot room does. Do not let the low impact movements and stretch-based routines deceive you – with German made infrared heating panels designed to heat your body from the inside out, a NBHD (or neighbourhood training) sesh will have you sculpting, strengthening and sweating like never before.
Where: 2582 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Words by Kellie Leader.
