“It seems that life has just started for me - that this might be the beginning of me thriving rather than surviving,” Edginton said.
The 24-year-old came to access the service after experiencing a “life-changing” roleplay exercise at a non-violent communication (NVC) training session.
“I came to the sudden, full and horrific realisation that I had believed I mattered less than everyone else, and had felt this way all of my life. Everything changed after that.”
“My life just fell apart because it wanted to be rebuilt.”
Service founder White said she was motivated to create Empathy Angels after witnessing her late brother’s struggles with mental health in a system ill-equipped to support him.
White also teaches and coaches people in NVC, a modality based on the understanding that we all share the same human needs and they underlie everything we do.
Last year, she rallied 11 trusted friends and skilled listeners to establish the group in order to provide free empathy sessions to anyone in New Zealand.
“I always knew there would be something I could do to help people like him. I feel like I’m honouring his life through this project,” White said.
The group used PledgeMe to raise $37,000 to fund the project’s pilot, with all pledges confirmed only upon reaching the target.
On its closing day, a Saturday less than a fortnight before Christmas, the campaign’s support unbelievably doubled from $19,000 to more than $38,000, just in time to bring White’s vision to fruition.
A representative from PledgeMe described it as one of the most exciting campaigns she had ever witnessed.
White said she’d been speaking to a member of a family trust earlier that week who was inspired by what the group was doing.
“They shared that they’d love to support us in getting our service off the ground, but nothing was yet definite, including the amount they might contribute.”
“I received a call from around midday informing me they would like to contribute $10,000.”
White went live on the Empathy Angels Instagram page to share the news.
“After the live [announcement], the pledges started pouring in. And we literally reached our target with 10 minutes to go.”
Since beginning the pilot offering, the team has expanded and now features 15 angels who provide empathy sessions via Zoom throughout Aotearoa.
Following her first session, Edginton said she was struck by how good it felt.
“I’ve only experienced that kind of ‘heldness’ in therapy. So to share with a skilled listener, knowing I’m not required to do anything other than share to my heart’s desire, [was an] utter relief.”
She also said she was grateful for how being heard had supported her ability to hear others.
“When I feel heard, I can hear you. This is seriously significant for understanding how to navigate our families, our communities and our world.
“Knowing I can easily access this organisation, receive support and be heard gives me a real stepping stone towards building my capacity to be present with others.”
White said after receiving empathy, people were often left with a sense of clarity about how to move forward in their lives.
With the pilot service now in full swing and bookings being made steadily at an average rate of eight to 11 per week, White continued to apply for funding through grants, and businesses were invited to become official sponsors.
White encouraged the public to book as many sessions as needed until the pilot’s close in January.
“We know if the pilot service is well-used, it’ll be more likely the funding will keep coming in.”
Learn more or donate at: empathyangels.co.nz.
