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The Team

Kate Ellis
Hey, I’m Kate! Originally from Canada... graduating in Communication Studies... a career in design, but my passion for writing keeps calling me back. When I’m not writing, I’m usually traveling. I’ve explored 32 countries and counting!
Last year, I pushed myself to step out of my comfort... stand-up comedy. I came to HAPHE because mental health is something I deeply connect with, having struggled with depression myself. I want to help others by sharing my story... I tell stories in such an animated way that people joke!
Favorite Comfort Song: I love blasting Fred Again's Bleu (better with time) and dancing around my room
Superpower: If I could choose any superpower, it would undoubtedly be teleportation. With friends spread across the globe, the ability to instantly appear by their side for a much-needed hug, a heartfelt chat, or a quick coffee sounds like pure magic. Plus, let’s face it—being able to travel anywhere at anytime while skipping out on airfare would be the ultimate bonus!
Hobbies or Passions: Playing football, climbing, reading, surfing, skiing, travelling, and stand-up comedy!
Three Favorites!
Anthony Bourdain, David Attenborough, and Stuart Goldsmith. Anthony would whip up an unforgettable meal, share fascinating travel stories, and bring his signature wit to the table. David would inspire us with his wisdom and insights on restoring hope for our planet. And Stuart, as a comedian who tackles the climate crisis with humour, would remind us how laughter can connect us and help communicate even the toughest messages. It’d be a dinner full of incredible food, meaningful conversations, and plenty of laughs.

Courtney Wenner
Hello, Hello, Hello! I'm a life long learner! Starting with a History BA, then my MBA with Data Analytics followed up with a raft of professional qualifications.. . What I know is that we are always learning, nothing stands still long enough for us not to learn, so embrace it, love it, take it in whatever form it comes - even the painful lessons!
About Me
Favorite Quirk: I still have childhood wonderment and fascination. If I find out something new it is like a four year old has arrived in the building, full of fascination, a million whys and obsession. I find it charming and adorable, my partner thinks it can get annoying by the 500th why. His favourite line is google is your friend. But I have replaced Google with Chat GPT and even they get annoyed with all my Whys!
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: There are too many good songs in the world to pick one - don't be self limiting! There are too many good snacks in the world to pick one - do be more self limiting!
Superpower: Inner peace and a zen like approach to living and interaction.
Hobbies or Passions: Music, festivals, reading, puzzles, exercise, mediation, yoga, really challenging problem solving, influencing people, data, learning new things, helping others and sleeping - my favourite hobby of all.
Three Favorites!
John Maynard Keynes - would be interested on his perception of the current global economy and recommendations to fix it.
Karl Marx - Are we witnessing the death of capitalism or is it just a hiccup.
Sigmund Freud - A diagnosis from the master and would I agree with it

Matthew Hooper (Matt)
Hey! I graduated from University of Birmingham in 2019 with a degree in English Literature. Since then, I have worked in education, trying to do my bit to support people who have been through a similar journey to mine. I am passionate about mental health action and disability awareness, so was thrilled to join the HAPHE team. I am also a musician, poet, and writer.
About Me
Favorite Quirk: I know an awful lot about the RMS Titanic, and I have been obsessed with the ship since I was 6 years old. I wrote a novel when I was 6 called 'The Snail Ship', inspired by Titanic. I could tell you hundreds of facts about the ship, but for now, I'll settle for 3: There were 40,000 eggs on board Titanic; it took 37 seconds between seeing the iceberg and striking it; approximately 3 million rivets were used in construction of the Titanic.
Favorite Comforts: Ambient music, lighting, reading a book or quizzing myself on Titanic facts.
Superpower: Magic or Telekinesis because it would be fun to move things with my mind.
Hobbies or Passions: I play guitar, keyboard, and produce my own music. I read a lot. I also love playing Pokemon and The Witcher 3. I have no hidden talents unless they relate to telling you lots of information about the Titanic.
Three Favorites!
Thomas Andrews (he built Titanic, so I would be fascinated to learn his process). Billie Holiday (she had a fascinating life). Jack White (My musical inspiration).

April Reid
Hey there, I'm April! I graduated in English Literature & Creative Writing a few years back. Since then, I have been working remotely as a freelance content writer. I currently live in the Brecon Beacons National Park—so yep, a whole lot of nature, hikes, and picnics! In my spare time, I love to read, game, binge-watch dramas, and bake cookies (happy to share some of my fave recipes)…. I’m also totally obsessed with tea.
About Me
Favorite Quirk:
I hoard tea bags and am always on the hunt for new and exciting flavour combos. Fyi, my recent fave cuppa is Clipper’s Berry Burst Infusion.
Favorite Comfort Food: Granola!
Three Favorites!

Lisa Eldritch (Nee Pin)
Hi, I’m Lisa --- You can call me Lise—most of my friends do. I'm an English Literature grad who fell in love with the power of storytelling and how words can connect people.
I’m currently working on my Master’s in Creative Writing, and I’m beyond thrilled to be part of HAPHE. I believe in writing that makes people feel seen and understood, which is why HAPHE’s mission of self-discovery and emotional well-being resonates so deeply with me.
About Me
Fun fact: I once spent a summer volunteering at a cat sanctuary, and I still dream of opening my own little cat café someday!
Favorite Quirk:
One of my quirks? I tend to doodle tiny flowers and stars in the margins of my notebooks whenever I’m deep in thought. Also, I have this weird knack for making up spontaneous, silly songs about my friends on the spot. It’s a fun way to make people laugh!
Favorite Comfort Food or Song:
For comfort, nothing beats a hot bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich on a rainy day. As for music, "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac always brings me a sense of calm and clarity—it’s like an instant mood reset.
Superpower:
If I could have any superpower, I’d choose instant teleportation. Imagine popping over to a quiet cabin by the lake to write or teleporting to a bustling city for inspiration, all without the hassle of travel!
Hobbies or Passions:
I’m really into pottery lately and just started a ceramics class. There’s something grounding about working with clay—it feels like meditation. I also love experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and if I’m not doing that, I’m probably listening to a podcast. My current favorite is On Being with Krista Tippett.
Three Favorites!
If I could invite any three people to dinner, I’d pick Maya Angelou for her wisdom, Freddie Mercury for his spirit, and David Attenborough to hear his incredible stories about the natural world. I imagine it would be an unforgettable night of stories, laughter, and a little singing.

Maya Cruz
Hey there, I’m Maya! I’m currently studying Environmental Science, and I’m all about sustainability and finding ways to make the world a little greener.
Joining HAPHE feels like a perfect match because I believe mental health and environmental health go hand in hand.
About Me
Fun fact: I’m obsessed with indoor gardening, and I even grow my own herbs for cooking—nothing beats fresh basil in a pasta dish!
Favorite Quirk: I have this quirky habit of talking to my plants. Yup, I genuinely believe it makes them grow better! Oh, and I always need to have something green around me, whether it’s a leafy plant or my favorite green sweater.
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: When I need comfort, it’s all about mac and cheese—creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of crispy on top. As for music, I’m all about “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. It’s an instant pick-me-up, especially on gloomy days.
Superpower: If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to heal the environment with a touch. Imagine restoring entire forests or cleaning oceans with just a wave of my hand!
Hobbies or Passions: I’m really into painting landscapes—it’s like a mini escape to another place. I also love thrifting for unique finds. You’d be amazed at the treasures people pass up! I’m passionate about sustainability, so I’m always finding ways to upcycle and give things a new life.
Three Favorites!
Quirky Icebreaker: If I could invite any three people to dinner, I’d go with Jane Goodall for her environmental work, Greta Thunberg for her activism, and Bob Ross for some chill vibes and painting tips. Can you imagine the conversations we’d have?

Ethan Hall
Hey! Just Ethan is cool but my teammates call me "EZ"for short.
I'm a Business Management major with a love for numbers, basketball, and building connections. I joined HAPHE because I think mental wellness is just as important as physical fitness—it’s all about balance. In my downtime, I’m either shooting hoops or trying to learn guitar (emphasis on trying).
About Me
Fun fact: I once got to meet LeBron James at a charity game, and it’s still the best day of my life!
Favorite Quirk: I have a thing for collecting cool bottle caps. I know, random, but each cap has a story behind it. Also, I tend to memorize random facts about anything I’m interested in—did you know honey never spoils?
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: Give me some spicy ramen, and I’m good to go! As for music, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem always gets me hyped up—it’s my go-to before any big game or exam.
Superpower: If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to speak every language. Imagine being able to connect with people from any background—now that’s real power.
Hobbies or Passions: I’m a huge basketball fan and play for my college team. I’m also trying to get better at photography. There’s something cool about capturing a moment and looking at it later—it’s like freezing time. Oh, and I’m all about finding new ways to organize my life. My friends joke that I have an app for everything.
Three Favorites!
If I could invite any three people to dinner, I’d choose Kobe Bryant for his mentality, Elon Musk for his innovation, and Kevin Hart for the laughs. That combo would be legendary.

Alex Grant
I’m Alex, You can call me "A"--- We had two Alex's in my class in Primary School; Alex A and Alex B haha. "A" kind of stuck!
I'm a third-year Psychology student at the University of Manchester. I’m fascinated by what makes people tick and how our minds work, which is why I joined HAPHE.
About Me
I love the idea of exploring emotional resilience and connection. Outside of classes, you’ll probably find me at a campus café reading a thriller or playing guitar in the park. Fun fact: I tried skydiving once, and it was both the scariest and most exciting 60 seconds of my life!
Favorite Quirk: I tend to overuse post-it notes. My room is like a mini gallery of ideas, reminders, and random quotes that keep me motivated. I also make up weird acronyms to remember things for my exams—they’re ridiculous, but they work!
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: A solid burrito bowl with all the toppings is my go-to comfort food. For music, "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day hits that perfect balance between nostalgic and motivating. I play it on repeat when I need a mental reset.
Superpower: If I could have any superpower, I’d pick time travel. Imagine visiting different eras to understand how people lived and thought—there’s so much to learn from the past!
Hobbies or Passions: I’m really into hiking and exploring new trails around Manchester. Being outdoors is like therapy for me. I also love jamming with friends in our little student band. We’re not rockstars, but we have a blast playing together.
Three Favorites!
If I could invite any three people to dinner, I’d choose Carl Jung for his theories on the mind, Emma Watson for her activism, and David Bowie just because he was a legend. That dinner would be unforgettable!

Toying Lawal
Hi! I’m Toying, Yer, Just call me Toying. I'm a Nigerian-born student in my third year of International Development at the University of Birmingham.
I’m deeply interested in the social and economic structures that shape people’s lives, especially in developing countries. HAPHE’s mission resonates with me because I believe in the power of community and support systems for well-being.
About Me
Random fact: I can tell you the history behind almost every type of tea—my mom owns a tea shop, and I grew up learning the stories behind each blend!
Favorite Quirk: I’m the type of person who sets alarms for things I’m excited about—like a reminder for “first sip of Saturday tea” or “sunset watching time.” It keeps life interesting. Oh, and I sometimes speak in Yoruba when I’m stressed; it just feels more expressive.
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: Comfort food? It has to be puff-puff! Those little Nigerian dough balls make everything better. As for a song, “Ye” by Burna Boy always gives me an energy boost and reminds me of home.
Superpower: If I could have any superpower, I’d choose the ability to pause time—imagine all the books I could read and the skills I could learn! It would be like having a secret stash of hours.
Hobbies or Passions: I’m passionate about West African history and am currently trying to learn the djembe drum. I also enjoy doing photography on weekends, especially in nature. It’s my way of finding peace outside of study and city life.
Three Favorites!
If I could invite any three people to dinner, it would be Chinua Achebe for his storytelling, Malala Yousafzai for her courage and dedication, and Elon Musk just to ask him if he ever actually sleeps. That’d be one memorable evening.

Aditi Patel
Hey there! I’m Aditi, originally from Mumbai, and currently studying Computer Science at UC Berkeley. I’m passionate about tech, especially the ways AI can shape the future for good.
I joined HAPHE because mental well-being in high-pressure environments is something I care about deeply—especially as an international student trying to balance two worlds.
About Me
Fun fact: I can identify almost every Bollywood movie by just hearing a single line of dialogue (my friends test me on this all the time!).
Favorite Quirk: I have a habit of collecting quirky stationery from every place I visit—my pen collection is a conversation starter! Also, I’m that person who rearranges his Spotify playlists every other week because I think music vibes should change with the seasons.
Favorite Comfort Food or Song: My comfort food has to be a plate of hot masala chai with samosas, especially on a rainy day. For music, I love “Kabira” from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani—it just brings a wave of nostalgia.
Superpower: If I could have any superpower, I’d choose the ability to understand and speak every language in the world. Imagine the connections I could make and the cultures I could explore—it would be amazing.
Hobbies or Passions: I’m really into dance, especially Bharatanatyam and hip-hop fusion. I also love hiking and try to explore as many California trails as I can. On quieter days, I love sketching portraits—it’s my way to unwind and disconnect.
Three Favorites!
If I could invite any three people to dinner, I’d choose Kalpana Chawla for her pioneering spirit, Steve Jobs for his vision, and Priyanka Chopra for her confidence and resilience. That would be an awesome!
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