Ember Mental Health is a global incubator supporting community-based approaches to mental health. The programme provides funding, learning and strategic support to community organisations, activists and social entrepreneurs working at the frontlines of care — often in places where formal mental health systems are absent or inaccessible.

When I joined the programme at the SHM Foundation, Ember was a pilot project supporting just three organisations. Over the following four years, I played a central role in building it into a globally recognised incubator for community mental health innovation, and scaling the number of organisations supported from 3 to over 100.

I co-developed Ember’s methodology and learning model, designing a modular incubator programme combining organisational diagnostics, tailored capacity-building and creative storytelling approaches. I designed and facilitated learning journeys for global cohorts of social entrepreneurs, recruited international experts to contribute to the programme, and cultivated relationships with funders and partners.

Alongside programme delivery, I helped grow Ember’s funding base and international profile, positioning Ember as a transformational new approach to mental health philanthropy - and influencing other funders to align with our approach.

This included shaping the programme’s narrative, producing communication campaigns, cultivating philanthropic partnerships, contributing to grant proposals and representing Ember in sector networks.

Today Ember is a globally recognised fund, and sector-leading example of best practice in mental health philanthropy.