Leadership Coaches helps women’s refuges – with green-fingered approach

A trail-blazing leadership coaching organisation has laid down the roots for helping women’s refuges – with the aid of gardening.

The innovative approach was outlined by Zoe Lewis (pictured), CEO of The Leadership Coaches, based in Evesham, Worcestershire.

Zoe said: “When I founded The Leadership Coaches, I had a vision that went beyond the boardroom. I wanted to help senior leaders become more effective, more human, and more impactful.

“But I also wanted the business to give back in real ways to communities that are often overlooked. That’s why charitable giving has been built into our business model from day one.

“Since we began, we’ve donated over £13,000 to causes that align with our values. One of the organisations we support is the Women’s Environmental Network (Wen), a UK charity working at the intersection of gender and environmental justice.

“I got in touch with Wen to find out more about the impact of our latest donation. What I discovered was deeply moving. Our contribution had helped support Soil Sisters, one of Wen’s grassroots programmes that brings therapeutic gardening into women’s refuges.”

She said The Soil Sisters programme supported women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. It offers a safe and nurturing space in which to grow food, learn new skills, and find a sense of peace through working with the land.

Zoe added: “It is about much more than gardening. It is about rebuilding confidence, restoring agency, and creating community.

“The report from Wen shared some of the simple but powerful outcomes our donation helped enable. Two refuge gardens received nutrient-rich mulch made from repurposed mushroom growing materials, helping crops survive through summer. Seeds were purchased and sown. Women and children were able to harvest leafy greens like spinach and chard, boosting nutrition through the colder months.

“A group from one of the refuges also visited Mudchute City Farm. For many of the children, it was their first visit to a farm. The excitement was clear and the impact lasting. Over coffee and chips in the café, the group shared ideas about what they would like to grow next.

“It was a day of lightness and joy in lives often marked by uncertainty.”

Zoe said The Leadership Coaches aimed to help women rebuild their lives.  “I believe strongly in the power of women in leadership, not only in the workplace, but in their own communities and families.

“Our values as a business reflect that. We are proud members of the global movement 1 per cent for the Planet, which means we commit a portion of our revenue every year to support environmental and social causes. It is a core part of how we want to show up in the world.

The work Wen is doing through Soil Sisters reminded me why this commitment matters. It is about consistent, thoughtful contributions that make life better for someone else.”

Although Soil Sisters began in East London, Wen is working to share the model more widely. Their toolkit is helping other women’s refuges across the UK to introduce nature-based healing into their support services.

“It is a powerful example of how a local idea can grow into something with national relevance.

“At a time when more businesses are exploring how to align with purpose, this kind of partnership shows what is possible. It also reflects the growing role of small and medium businesses in driving positive social change.

“At The Leadership Coaches, we are working towards becoming an employee-owned business and launching our own charitable foundation. But for now, we are proud to support organisations like Wen that are already making a difference on the ground.”

Click here to learn more about the Soil Sisters project and the Women’s Environmental Network.