What's in a name?
In 2018, I completed a Small Business course and started designing Apparel that had messages promoting things like Diversity and Suicide Prevention. While I knew my idea was good, I also knew that I wouldn't be able to make the impact I wanted to by selling T-shirts.
2019: I became a Support Worker, supporting people with Intellectual Disabilities. I loved helping people but knew working in Mental Health was my purpose.
2020: I started studying Health and Wellbeing.
2021: I started working as a Mental Health Support Worker. Knowing this was my path.
2022: I completed a Te Reo Mฤori certificate, so I could understand Aotearoa's Health models better and learn more about Tikanga Mฤori.
2023: I started working as a Peer Support Worker. Using my own lived experience to work alongside others and to support people to advocate for themselves.
2024: I was fully embracing my role as a PSW and Advocate. I attended trainings and workshops, grabbing every opportunity to me and taking in as much information as I could.
2025: I lost my brother, after he went through a short but intense period of Mental Distress.
Anyone who knew him knew that he loved nature, animals, birds, music, concerts, going to events and going on adventures. He also loved photography. These are things I love too but am sometimes too anxious to do; It's always been easy for me to get stuck in my head or within four walls but six months after losing my brother, a grief counselor asked me to think about ways to focus on my own Wellbeing while incorporating his memory. I knew I wanted to go to places he'd like, to explore places I'd never been but I also decided to take up Photography again; Using it as a creative outlet and a Wellbeing tool to connect with him and to reconnect with nature & myself.
In 2026, Purpose Prints became more than a shirt design. It became a representation of my journey and a way to honour my brother's.
