After years of working through Social Anxiety Disorder, Nicole Richard decided it was time to turn her mental health journey into something positive. Her love of people motivated her to give back to the community. Nicole was simply sick of not being able to do and express the things she loved.

Born and raised in West Kelowna, she shares why being an active member of her community means so much to her. We had the opportunity to learn more about Nicole’s journey so far and how years of battling her mental illness turned into The Socially Anxious People Person Project (SAPP) in support of the Youth Recovery House.

Q: How did you come up with The Socially Anxious People Person Project?

The two things I thought that I really wanted to achieve were to kill my social anxiety with exposure because everybody will tell you there’s not much for social anxiety; it’s really a hard one to treat medically. It’s something I wanted to end once and for all because more than anything I just love people so much and I thought how crazy to be socially anxious when my heart is in community. 

The other thing was to be able to tangibly give back in some quantifiable way to kids in our community who might be experiencing mental illness. Growing up I’ve been so fortunate to have a family that has supported me through every bit of problem I’ve ever had. I’ve never had the feeling of ‘I could be on the streets.’ I’ve always had people to pick me up. That’s such a blessing and I’ve always wanted to give back because I know not everyone has that. So I started The Socially Anxious People Person Project to help accomplish these goals.

Q: How did SAPP begin?

I have a photography degree and wanted to get back into the world of taking photos. So I thought  I would start with portraits of people who were close to me and slowly work my way outwards into the public. I wanted to choose a charity that was helping youth with mental health and The Bridge’s Youth Recovery House seemed like such a good fit because addiction is so connected to mental health. I started taking pictures and writing a story about the person and asking for donations towards YRH. My social anxiety began to dissipate so quickly, and I continued the project for more than a year meeting amazing people along the way. I raised more than $17,000 for The Bridge so far and I’m not done yet. 

Q: What made you ultimately decide on campaigning for The Bridge?

I asked around and I talked to some people I really trust and they sort of directed me to The Bridge saying these are your people. The Bridge takes care of some of our most vulnerable, marginalized people in the community and they don’t get a lot of press so it seemed like a great place to be able to support and make a tangible difference. It was right at the very beginning of the Youth Recovery House campaign and with the outreach I was able to do with them and for them I think was able to help us both out. I want more people to understand just how much The Bridge does for so many people from moms to babies to addiction services. It’s so much.

Q: What are some of the first steps you’d recommend to someone who wants to start their own third party campaign in support of The Bridge?

Talk to Kelly Paley! One talk with Kelly and you’re part of the family; you’re so welcomed and you’re so appreciated. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. Some weeks would bring in a ton of money and some wouldn’t so it was a constant reminder to keep going. Even if [the portraits] didn’t bring in money, they brought in a ton of outreach. Keep your head down and keep doing the work.

Q: How has SAPP helped or inspired you?

I’m able to connect with the public and community so easily now which is exactly what I was hoping for. I accomplished all the goals I set out to. Now I'm sort of thinking what other scary things can I take on because the more you explore yourself the better it gets and the more fun you have because you’re connecting with other people. Community for me is in my heart and in my blood. It's how I was born. Now being able to reach out and do the things in the community and help people I want to help it’s so exciting. Even getting to connect with local business owners and being able to just walk through the door; people really take that for granted. I feel so thankful to be in such good health.

Q: What does your journey and SAPP look like moving forward?

I planned to do the project for two years, but Covid kind of slowed me down so I’m not done yet but the project is kind of sitting there until I decide what I want to do with it. I’m excited to delve into the West Kelowna community and help with charities here when I can! I’m so connected to and proud of this community, I really want to focus on efforts to help West Kelowna which The Bridge does and that’s so important. I’m on the West Kelowna Advisory Planning Commission focusing my volunteer hours locally. I love it. It’s so neat getting to see all the zoning applications and giving your opinion to council. I’m such a policy nerd I didn’t even know it.  I’m really enjoying that and learning a lot about the city and how community’s flourish; that’s really exciting work. 

We are beyond grateful for the work Nicole has accomplished so far and how she continues to promote the Okanagan Youth Recovery House. You can learn more about The Socially Anxious People Project here: www.sociallyanxiouspeopleperson.com or get in touch with Nicole on Instagram (@sociallyanxiouspeopleperson, @waxpencilimagery, @nicolerichardphotographer, @westkelownaliving, @colespic) or Facebook (@sociallyanxiouspeopleperson, @richardnicole, @nicolerichardphotographer, @waxpencilimagery).

If you were inspired by her campaign and would like to learn more about supporting The Bridge, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kelly Paley at kelly.paley@thebridgeservices.ca.