We recently had the opportunity to interview Alice Hendy, the incredible Founder and CEO of R;pple.
In May 2021, Alice set up R;pple in memory of her brother, Josh, who she tragically lost to suicide the previous year. R;pple is a 24/7 mental health signposting service that provides free digital intervention and confidential support to those searching for harmful online content.
Through their innovative technology, the R;pple team has been able to intercept this harmful content and provide positive early intervention, potentially saving many lives.
It's an honour to have played a small part in supporting R;pple's work. In 2021, Storm Skills Training CIC made a donation to help fund the roll-out of R;pple's browser extensions on mobile devices.
In this blog, Alice shares moving stories about the impact of their work, including the feedback they've received from those they've helped, how they’ve grown, and their vision for the future.
We found ourselves amazed at what one person's determination can achieve and as you read through, we're sure you'll find yourself rooting for her and the entire team as they continue their work. We're excited to share R;pple's journey with you.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Alice. Those of us familiar with R;pple know how incredibly inspiring your story is and how you've turned such a painful experience into a mission to help others. For anyone in our community hearing about R;pple for the first time, can you share with us why R;pple's journey began and what motivated you to create this life-saving technology?
Alice: I set up R;pple in memory of my brother, Josh, who I lost to suicide on 25th November 2020. In the immediate aftermath of losing Josh, I became fixated with going through my brother’s devices such as his phone and laptop in a desperate attempt to understand why he no longer saw a life living in this world.
My research took me on a dark path of my brother’s thoughts and feelings, as I found he had been researching how to end his own life by conducting harmful online searches which provided him with detailed information, and encouragement to take his life.
I couldn’t believe this kind of content was (and still is!) in existence, so I set about a mission to create a piece of technology which intercepts anyone who might be conducting harmful online searches relating to self-harm and suicide and instead signposts them to hope, as well as a selection of mental health support services.
Thank you for sharing your personal story behind the founding of R;pple. We're honoured to have played a small part in supporting the important work you're doing, and it's been incredible to see R;pple's growth and impact grow over the past couple of years.
Could you tell us more about some of the key milestones and achievements R;pple has accomplished during this time?
Alice: Since Storm Skills Training's kind donation in 2021, we’ve now expanded R;pple to serve over 49 countries around the world, in 14 different languages. Suicide does not discriminate, so knowing that R;pple’s crisis intervention is accessible in global locations is very special.
The donation has contributed to our translation and global efforts in preventing suicide. It has enabled us to carry out extensive research in defining suicide prevention resources for over 49 countries, translate the R;pple tool into over 14 languages, and therefore support a much larger number of people around the world who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
We’ve also been able to develop our technology to be deployed over Wi-Fi networks. That means, if someone was to conduct a harmful search on their mobile/tablet device when connected to a Wi-Fi network with R;pple deployed, they will be intercepted by our technology and instead signposted to immediate support. We’ve seen this adopted across the country at train stations, football stadiums, airports, and even a waterpark!
R;pple has now been downloaded almost 2 million times, which I just cannot believe! I came up with this idea in my bedroom, so to know that my idea continues to support so many people certainly gives me a purpose, and has created a wonderful legacy for my brother, who I miss every minute of every day.
It's incredible to hear about the tremendous growth and impact R;pple has achieved in such a short time. Could you share a bit about the difference it’s made so far and how these achievements have influenced your ongoing work?
Alice: Of the almost 2 million downloads of the R;pple tool, our data demonstrates that we have now intercepted over 50,500 harmful online searches where someone has inputted a search relating to harming themselves or ending their life. We don’t track or monitor any personally identifiable information, so we’re unable to determine any more details of the individuals who we have intercepted. However, we have now been approached by 31 brave and courageous individuals (through email, social media, website) to tell us that they are still here because R;pple intervened at their most vulnerable point.
The feedback from people must be deeply moving. Are there any particular stories or comments from individuals who have been helped by R;pple that have particularly touched you?
Alice: There is one particular comment that someone sent me, that I’ve saved, printed off, and that sits on my desk.
“I’ve had previous instances where at my darkest points I’ve researched means and ways to harm myself. Since installing R;pple, I know that if I get to that point again, I have something to point me in the right direction in a time of crisis. This tool is vital for people who struggle with their mental health.”
The work you and your team do has already made a significant impact, which must bring both challenges and rewards.
How does it feel to know that your work has made a difference in people’s lives, and what has been the most fulfilling part of this journey so far for you?
Alice: The most humbling reward I could ever ask for is being told that R;pple has saved their life. To know that, at least, 31 people are still here with us today because of R;pple is more than I could ever have hoped for. I couldn’t save my brother, but knowing that my team and I have prevented a minimum of 31 families feeling how my parents and I feel each day does make the hard work worthwhile.
R;pple’s existence is truly a team effort, with amazing and inspirational people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the online world safer. You can read more about the R;pple team here.
What advice would you give to other individuals or organisations who are passionate about making a difference in suicide prevention?
Alice: I would say that when you get knocked back, or someone doesn’t believe in you or your idea, keep going. As hard as it is to take critical feedback on something you’re so passionate about, if you believe in yourself and your idea enough, you can move mountains. I took a lot of negativity and skeptism when I came up with the idea of R;pple. If I had listened to those comments, we wouldn’t be sat here today talking about the idea that is now deployed by hundreds of thousands of schools, colleges, universities, charities and businesses around the world. I had, and continue to have, Josh as my inspiration and my reason. I know he is by my side every day spurring me on and saving lives in his memory. Find your reason, and make it happen.
Looking ahead, what are your dreams for R;pple's future?
Alice: We are looking to expand R;pple’s capabilities to intercept harmful online searches relating to other mental health conditions and struggles. By intercepting searches which are statistically more likely to lead to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, (e.g. financial wellbeing, gambling addictions, substance misuse, eating disorders, and many more) and instead signposting the user to bespoke support services relating to that condition, we hope to prevent suicide before it becomes a crisis level threat.
What's the most important message or insight you'd like people to take away from learning about R;pple's journey and the broader mission of preventing suicide?
Alice: Since losing Josh, I have had this quote tattooed on my arm –
“Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise”. I think this quote epitomises R;pple. We provide hope to people who feel hopeless at their most vulnerable moment of crisis. However bad things may seem, there is always a more hopeful path filled with love and support. You can get through anything, I promise.
A special thank you to Alice for speaking with us.
A word from our CEO, Bianca;
"As CEO of Storm Skills Training CIC, I am deeply passionate about supporting the self-harm and suicide prevention community. I believe in celebrating and contributing to the impactful work of others and leading an organisation that we can all be truly proud of. When I first learned about Alice and her father Ian's story, I was moved by their courage and unwavering sense of purpose. It's amazing to see the progress they've made in just three years and the incredible work they've accomplished with R;pple. The Storm Skills Training Board unanimously voted to get behind the cause, and we are so pleased we did. Our contribution may be just a drop in the ocean compared to the vast social impact they have achieved, but we couldn't be more pleased with our decision to support their cause. We congratulate them on their vital work and look forward to watching and supporting their continued success. If you haven’t yet donated to R;pple, please consider it, you could save a life”
A quick word from R;pple – how you can support their work
Fundraising
We are always so grateful to the amazing people who carry out weird and wonderful challenges to fundraise for R;pple, and we’re always on the lookout for more fundraisers to help us continue our mission to save lives from suicide. Please send us an email for more information.
Spread awareness
R;pple is free for schools, colleges, and universities. Please encourage your local establishment to deploy R;pple by utilising our downloadable resources.
R;pple is available for businesses of all sizes to deploy to safeguard their employees. Please share R;pple with your clients and customers by utilising this downloadable resource.
