How Wen’s Soil Sisters programme helps women heal after violence
Across the UK, violence against women remains a devastating and widespread reality. Last year, an estimated 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse, while two women a week are killed by a current or former partner. Refuge funding has been cut by around a quarter since 2010, leaving many women without support. For women rebuilding their lives after violence, access to nurturing environments is not a luxury. It is essential.
Yet these spaces are not always easy to find.
Soil Sisters, Wen’s therapeutic horticulture programme, brings healing green spaces directly into women’s refuges in East London. Working at a refuge run by the organisation Hestia, and funded by the Bupa Foundation, the project creates gardens, runs weekly therapeutic sessions – building community through growing, cooking, crafting and spending time outdoors together.
Soil Sisters is shaped by the people who hold the space with such care. Toyoba, who has volunteered with the programme for over a year, offers gentle encouragement and understanding drawn from her own journey through the refuge. Her presence is a source of strength for many women taking their first steps into the garden, and her talent as a gardener brings real joy to the sessions. The programme is also supported by the dedicated staff at Hestia, whose commitment helps make the garden a place of safety, growth and connection.
The impact is clear. A growing body of research shows that spending time in green space improves mental health, reduces anxiety and supports recovery from trauma. For women who have experienced violence and upheaval, these benefits can help rebuild a sense of safety and restore connection to the world around them.
Many women who arrive in refuges describe feeling isolated. Some have been placed far from home for their own safety. Others are coping with the asylum process or with the immediate shock of leaving dangerous situations. Nature can feel very distant at a time like this. Soil Sisters changes that.
Letting the light in
By greening hidden courtyards, overgrown corners or unused yards, the programme creates safe and welcoming spaces where women and their children can reconnect with nature, with others and with themselves. For one woman, it offered something she had not experienced in years.
“It was the first time I had been outside for leisure since arriving in the UK four years ago.”
Another woman shared her reflections after leaving the refuge.
“Thank you for including me in activities that helped me find new things to do in an area that was strange to me.”
The gardens give women breathing space, calm, routine and a place to feel grounded again.
Earlier this year, women worked together to clear a dense patch of overgrown plants at the entrance of one refuge. As they cut back the tangle of branches, the refuge manager called out from the window.
“You are letting in the light here in so many different ways.”
It was true in every sense. The garden became brighter and safer but the moment also captured what happens when women are given the chance to share time together and take part in activities that feel meaningful. Clearing the space became a symbol of clearing emotional space too.
A summer house full of colour and possibility
One of the highlights of the year has been the transformation of a wooden shed into a bright and playful summer house for children and families. Women, children and staff sanded, painted and decorated it together. With support from artist Kally, they created artwork for the walls, built a mud kitchen and filled the space with beanbags and donated books. A small secret garden, for younger children, now sits behind it.
A member of staff told us:
“The summer house has been invaluable. Because it is visible from the living room, children can play safely while women meet and make plans together.”
This shared project has become a symbol of creativity, stability and care.
Growing food and confidence
Women have grown seasonal vegetables and herbs, including coriander, mint, salad leaves, chard and aubergines, as well as fruits such as figs, gooseberries and rhubarb. Everything is grown without chemicals, using peat free compost, seeds saved from our own plants by the women and children. Many women tell us that planting and harvesting ingredients they recognise helps rebuild memories of home and brings joy and comfort during challenging times.
Communal cooking sessions continue to be central to Soil Sisters. These are based at Limborough Community Food Hub, and we are led by Rahema from Bottling Futures, and the women collectively plan sessions and what they will cook together. They create moments of pride and connection, and help women build routines and skills that feel useful and sustaining.
Connection in community
Nature based excursions have been especially important this year in reducing isolation. Women visited Kew Gardens, joined community growers in Tower Hamlets, attended local harvest events and enjoyed days at city farms. These outings help women feel part of the wider world again. They also remind children that life can still hold excitement and gentleness.
Bernadette Kennedy, Wen’s Therapeutic Gardener, recalls a moment at an International Women’s Day gathering.
“One of the women spoke about her journey. She said that Soil Sisters had been part of her strength. Hearing her speak so openly was very moving and reminded us how important these spaces are.”
16 Days of Activism
During the 16 Days of Activism, we honour the creativity and resilience of the women we work alongside. Every seed, every shared meal and every moment of calm in the garden represents a small step in the long and often difficult journey of recovery.
Soil Sisters shows that healing can grow even in the smallest spaces. A pot of mint, a corner of soil, a painted shed or a shared cup of tea can offer safety, connection and a sense of possibility.
In a world where too many women still face violence, these gardens offer something powerful. They offer light.
What’s next?
Soil Sisters continues to grow. In the months ahead, Wen will centre care and compassion in all sessions, advocate for therapeutic growing spaces in all women’s refuges and explore opportunities to expand the programme nationally. If you would like to work with us please contact info@wen.org.uk. Read our practical toolkit for refuges who want to create their own growing spaces.
