Social Enterprise

Making the World A Better Place

• Together We Can Heal

• Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe

• You Are Worthy of Beautiful Spaces

• Making the World A Better Place • Together We Can Heal • Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe • You Are Worthy of Beautiful Spaces •

What is a social enterprise?

As a social enterprise we are guided by social purpose and exist specifically to make the world a better place.

Being a social enterprise means we use a business model that addresses social and community issues whilst generating profit. It’s about the power of business to do good. The core of a social enterprise is its dual-purpose strategy: to achieve social goals while remaining financially viable. This approach allows us to contribute meaningfully to society, proving that businesses can be a force for positive transformation. It’s not just about running a successful business but about being part of a movement that prioritises the wellbeing of people.

How we give back

At the heart, our mission is a commitment to support those who need it most. We provide pro bono and low bono services to small, independent Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) women’s and children’s shelters that cannot afford, but urgently need, trauma-informed design. Along with our wonderful partners we help create environments that restore dignity and rebuild self-worth for women and children escaping trauma. Through our work, we aim to transform spaces into safe havens that promote healing and empowerment.

Trauma-Informed Design goes beyond the traditional aesthetics and function of interior design to accelerate the healing process. It's backed by a science-based framework that responds directly to:

✔ physical,

✔ psychological &

✔ emotional needs of people in crisis, particularly those staying in shelters or rehabilitation centres.

Most Recent Project:

Jeannie’s Sunroom

On Tuesday 19th November 2024 we were proud to unveil the newly refurbished Sunroom at Jeannie’s for the Women’s and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC). This project was completed in just 7 days with the support of over 30 contributors from diverse organisations, united by a shared mission: to create a space that restores dignity and promotes wellbeing for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

Through Design for Hope’s trauma-informed design framework, every element of the Sunroom was carefully considered to create a calming, welcoming environment. From addressing visual clutter by smoothing and painting brick walls, to installing Luxaflex blinds for optimal light control and thermal comfort, every decision has been intentional. Durable yet beautiful furnishings, provided with the help of Ku-ring-Gai Rotary, balance practicality with elegance, ensuring the space meets the unique needs of its residents.

Design for Hope are deeply grateful to our project partners—Dulux, Luxaflex, the GrannyFlat Foundation, and Ku-ring-Gai Rotary—for their generosity and hard work. Together, we’ve created a sanctuary where healing and empowerment can thrive.

About WAGEC

WAGEC’s mission is to create a safe space for women and children affected by homelessness, social disadvantage, and domestic violence. They provide housing and support during times of crisis, aiming to break the cycle of violence, intergenerational trauma and social disadvantage. Established 1977 they have four crisis refuges, including Jeannie’s. Jeannie’s accommodates 15 families on any one night.

Partners:

Previous project

Erin’s Place

Our first social impact partnership was with CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay to renovate Erin’s Place, a refuge in Northern Sydney for women and children escaping domestic violence. Refuges play a vital role in helping women rebuild their lives, and the environment must support both residents and the dedicated case workers who assist them. Using Trauma-Informed Design principles, we created a space that fosters recovery by prioritizing security, dignity, and self-worth. The renovation included painting, new flooring, and upgraded furniture, décor, and appliances, made possible through generous community and corporate donations. Together, we transformed 5 bedrooms, 5 living areas and a dining space at Erin’s Place, improving the lives of the many women and children who seek safety and hope within its walls.