My brother’s legacy: presenting a breakthrough online safety tool

Deloitte Guernsey is hosting an event with Guernsey Mind on Tuesday 10th October – World Mental Health Day – focusing on how to support individuals who search for harmful content online.

Alice Hendy, a Risk Advisory Manager for Deloitte in the UK, lost her only sibling Josh, to suicide in November 2020. Alice will be speaking at the event at the OGH from 12.15pm about a digital tool she created that can help people who are struggling.

Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life via harmful internet searches, and in his legacy, Alice decided to set up her own charity called R;pple.

R;pple is a digital tool, which when a user searches for harmful content online, they are guided through a filter of breathing exercises followed by very simple, uncluttered and calmly presented strategies and forums, helplines and mental health services they can access both in the moment and in the longer term. These are accompanied by messages of hope and encouragement to keep safe.

R;pple has been downloaded millions of times around the world and continues to intercept thousands of harmful online searches.

Jo Cottell, Chief Executive of Guernsey Mind, said: “We’re really looking forward to hearing Alice’s story and how she started R;pple. It’s an incredible tool that really can really help those in distress and we want to help spread as much awareness of it as we can.”

Alice Hendy, CEO & Founder of R;pple and Manager at Deloitte UK, said: “I’m thrilled to visit Guernsey and use this platform to share our experience. I understand there are many like me and it’s so important to support others. I wish there had been more help out there for my brother at the time and I hope that R;pple continues to make a real difference and save as many lives as possible.”

Jo Huxtable, Partner at Deloitte Guernsey, said: “It is a privilege to welcome Alice to the Guernsey office during our Mental Health and Wellbeing Week. Alice’s amazing charity reminds us of our responsibility to be compassionate and care for each other, which includes supporting colleagues to look after their mental health.”