About
Our Shared Stories was created to give people a safe place to share difficult experiences — especially those shaped by conflict, trauma, loss, and major life challenges. Many people feel alone in what they’ve lived through. Our goal is to change that.
Why we built Our Shared Stories
Across different parts of the world, people live through events that deeply affect them — war, displacement, violence, grief, and sudden loss. Many never receive the support they need. Some cannot speak openly about what happened. Others feel they must stay silent to protect themselves or the people they care about.
Our Shared Stories began as a simple idea: to create a space where people can speak freely, in their own language, and on their own terms. A place where experiences are not judged or ranked, and where people can discover that others have lived through similar moments of fear, pain, or survival.
Why Our Shared Stories matter
Psychological research consistently shows that storytelling helps people make sense of what has happened to them. It helps transform overwhelming memories into something that can be understood — and eventually integrated — rather than avoided.
Reading about others’ experiences can also reduce the feeling of isolation. Many people find strength in knowing that someone else, somewhere in the world, has walked a similar path.
Our Shared Stories is not a replacement for professional help. Instead, it is a gentle, supportive space where people can begin expressing themselves on their own timeline.
How Our Shared Stories works
You can write privately, share with other members of our community, or publish publicly — whatever feels right for you. When you publish your story, our application helps you discover similar stories from people who have lived through comparable events, themes, or emotions.
You remain in control of what you share, who can view it, and what identifying details you include.
Our values
- Safety: You choose what to share and with whom.
- Respect: Every experience is valid. No judgement.
- Privacy: Handles and visibility controls help you choose a comfortable level of privacy.
- Simplicity: A clean, quiet space designed to support reflection rather than noise.
Who we are
Our Shared Stories was conceptualised and developed by crisis and trauma specialists who have spent many years working in challenging environments and supporting people after traumatic events. Over time it became clear that many individuals needed a quiet, safe way to express what they had lived through — without formality, without pressure, and without fear of being identified.
Dr Suzanne M. Anderson
DPST, MSS, RSW – 0145, CCR
Suzanne is a psychotherapist in private practice and director of Restorative Community Counselling in Singapore. With more than thirty years of international crisis-response experience, she has supported individuals and organisations after natural disasters, industrial accidents, and intentional-harm incidents such as terrorist attacks, school-based crises, and war-related trauma. Her doctoral research focused on trauma among women trafficked and sexually exploited in the Mekong region, and her work continues to centre on restoring safety, dignity, and connection after severe adversity.
Grant Rayner
Crisis Response Specialist
Grant is a crisis response specialist who supports organisations and individuals following major incidents and periods of instability. He has more than thirty years of field experience in higher-risk and complex environments across the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and East Africa. His work spans incident response, crisis planning, and the design of practical tools that help people navigate difficult situations. Our Shared Stories grew out of this experience and a desire to create a calm, secure, human space where people can begin to put their experiences into words.
This platform is our attempt to provide that: a calm, secure, human space where your voice matters.
Looking ahead
We plan to expand Our Shared Stories carefully and responsibly. New features will always be built around one question: Does this improve safety and emotional wellbeing for the people who use the platform?
Thank you for being here. Your presence — and your story — matters.