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Jackson Howell raised £985 from 27 supporters

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Closed 31/05/2021

0%
£985
raised of £5,000 target by 27 supporters

    Iʼve raised £985 to build a Mental Health app called OKButton to let our loved ones know we're ok

    United Kingdom
    Funded on Monday, 31st May 2021

    Don't have time to donate right now?

    Story

    What is the OKButton?

    The OKButton app makes it easy for a person to let their loved ones know they’re ok. We all have people who care for us, but sometimes it can be difficult to reach out. The OKButton is a way of communicating with those who love us, to let them know we’re doing alright without explaining.

    Why am I developing this app called the OKButton?

    I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety. Then, in 2017, I became completely overwhelmed with life, work, relationships, friendships, depression and anxiety.

    From the outside, I looked fine. Inside, I was in terrible pain. Only a few people knew what was going on, and the one who worried about me the most was my mum. I worry about her too.

    The most exhausting thing of all was constantly answering the question “are you OK?”. And then, “Are you sure?”. I was OK, but I certainly wasn’t sure.

    We have a history of suicide in our family, and I knew Mum just wanted to keep in contact with me to make sure that I was still here. But right at that moment, I lacked the capacity to talk about it. How could I explain something I wasn’t sure about? What was wrong? Why wasn’t I sure? If I couldn’t answer these questions effectively, what hope did I have explaining it?

    All I wanted was for my loved ones; to know I was OK today. I didn’t want to talk; I didn’t want to answer questions, I just wanted to work on it. I needed to make progress.

    It’s hard to keep someone at arm’s length, especially when they care so much, but I didn’t want my Mum carrying my weight, and I needed space. Letting Mum know I was ok regularly by hitting a button on an app is the peace of mind we all need.

    I’m OK now, but I still want to be able to let my Mum know that everything’s alright and that’s why I’m developing the OKButton.

    We have the design, UI and branding done.

    I have invested a few thousand of my own business’s money to get the project started. Below are a few screenshots we created for the website and branding documents.

    View even more of the story at OKButton.app

    OKButton for everyone

    I know I am not alone in this story, and that I have friends who find it difficult to keep in touch with those who care about them, even without mental health struggles in play.

    Alice was an inspiration for the app. She lived far away from her parents and had to have a kidney operation. Of course, they worry about her. Did she get home OK? Is she safe?

    What about travel? It’s hard when a child leaves home, maybe for a gap year or even just a holiday. Mums and Dads don’t want to text constantly, and kids need their independence. One press of the OKButton would alleviate all that worry.

    What will we use the donations for?

    I have covered the cost of designing the app, which is now in its prototype stage, but we need more funding to move it on. With further funding, we can get the app into development, then into the app store and invest a little into getting the name out there.

    We need from 200 to 600 hours of development time, depending on features, to get the app into the iOS App Store. I have spent around 250 hours on planning, content, website/marketing and UI design.

    Funding Targets

    Around £5,000 is the minimum cost expectation for building v1.0 of the app. All of the donations/funding will be ring-fenced for the OKButton app development and marketing only. I will cover the design and branding expenses only if we exceed the target.

    Version 1.0+ breakdown: https://okbutton.app/blog/development/okbutton-app-feature-roadmap/

    Over £10,000 allows us to develop further features, such as reminders and location-based reminders, iCloud backup, and potentially bringing the app to the Google Play Store for Android.

    Over £25,000, and we will have the budget to cover existing expenses and push the app's marketing even further.

    What if we don't hit our target?

    The app is an ongoing process - we'll use the donations to cover running costs. We will develop what we can with the funding provided and look to remove features if needed.

    Other ways you can help

    I appreciate money is tight - we're going through a global pandemic after all and donating is a big ask right now. There are other ways you can help:

    - Spread the message. Please share this callout on social media via our Instagram and Facebook pages

    - Help us promote the app using our marketing materials https://okbutton.app/blog/development/okbutton-marketing-materials-and-images/

    - Invite someone you know who will benefit from the app to sign up for updates https://okbutton.app/early/

    - Get your company interested in supporting the project. Download our explainer doc here https://okbutton.app/blog/support/download-our-pdf-explainer-for-your-organisation/

    Thank you.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this story and about my mission. If you'd like to reach out personally, please email me at jackson@okbutton.app

    Updates

    11

    • Jackson Howell3 years ago
      Jackson Howell

      Jackson Howell

      3 years ago

      Hey, you amazing people; thank you for all your help. Using your donations and our funding, we've got the OKButton app all the way to OPEN BETA! You can now join the beta at https://testflight.apple.com/join/4aqoPLod <-- adding contacts will need to be in the beta too, but feel free to share this link with your contacts! We're on the EDGE of putting the app live, but we NEED your feedback to make sure we've ticked all the boxes for the first version.

      Update from the Page owner

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    • Jackson Howell4 years ago
      Jackson Howell

      Jackson Howell

      4 years ago

      Hey beautiful people! So... big news... WE'VE STARTED DEVELOPING THE OKBUTTON APP!! 🥳 🚀 https://okbutton.app/early <-- leave us your email address if you want super-early access!

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Jackson Howell4 years ago
      Jackson Howell

      Jackson Howell

      4 years ago

      Some great news! We pitched The OKButton, as a growing business idea, to Allia to join their intensive EDRF funded business development programme. We're excited to announce we secured a place among only a handful of growing businesses!

      Update from the Page owner

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    4 years ago

    Jackson Howell started crowdfunding

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    Page last updated on: 7/8/2021 09.41

    Supporters

    27

    • Jacqui

      Jacqui

      Feb 17, 2021

      Just a small contribution but I really like the idea so wanted to offer some support :)

      £5.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Feb 16, 2021

      Keep going - you'll get there

      £100.00

    • Luke

      Luke

      Feb 15, 2021

      Good luck with this Jack!

      £10.00

    • Maeve

      Maeve

      Feb 11, 2021

      You are a wonderful human. This will help so many people xx

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Feb 8, 2021

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Feb 4, 2021

      Good luck and all the best !

    • Vishal Gohil

      Vishal Gohil

      Jan 26, 2021

      Very proud of your achievements and if I can help wherever I can, just let me know anytime/any day.

      £20.00

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    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Jackson Howell

    Jackson Howell

    United Kingdom

    Hi, my name is Jackson. I've dealt with the impact of mental health struggles my whole life. I've witnessed its impact on friends and family, so I came up with an idea that might help those who struggle to keep in touch, with the OKButton app.

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