Transforming Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Women’s Shelter

Design for Hope Team Up with Shed Eleven to take on the mammoth task of breathing new life into this monumentally important community fixture.

Kylie & Jane from Essence of Home, under their social impact brand Design for Hope have joined forces with Jemma from Shed Eleven to help bring a much-needed touch of love to one of the shelters operated by Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter.

"We are thrilled to be part of this fabulous project. Our wish is that the women and children who come to stay at the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter find peace, worthiness, and a renewed sense of possibilities in their lives."

- Jane, Essence of Home

This is not the first time these local ladies have worked together. Last year Shed Eleven donated some gorgeous bespoke pieces (all upcycled of course) for Erin’s Place, a women's and children’s shelter Design for Hope were renovating.

Inspired by the Erin’s Place project Jemma has pulled together this new project, ‘House to Home’.

‘The combination of a strong belief in the power of a beautiful environment, the knowledge that the community want to get involved, and my passion for upcycling items destined for potential landfill, put me in a unique position to assist the shelter in their House to Home project.’

– Jemma, Shed Eleven

While the shelter currently provides a clean and safe environment, Design for Hope and Shed Eleven are determined to create a feeling of comfort, tranquillity, and support for its residents during their time of crisis.

The aim of this project is to infuse the shelter with beautiful furniture and décor in soft calming colours and create an environment where women and their children can feel nurtured on their road to recovery. And all while reducing landfill.

Many hands make light work and as with any significant project there are lots of welcomed volunteers:

• Design for Hope is consulting on the colour scheme and the use of Trauma Informed Design. Their expertise will contribute to creating balance throughout the house and giving it a calm, welcoming feel to promote recovery from trauma and help to rebuild the residents’ confidence and self-worth.

• Shed Eleven will upcycle good quality, donated furniture, artwork and décor for the shelter. Jemma is tackling the pressing issue of furniture waste (did you know that approximately 30,000 tonnes of furniture ends up in Australian landfills each year?)

• Jemma ran a workshop for some Ku-ring-gai Council staff members where they helped upcycle donated plant pots and art canvases.

• St Ives Rotary Club are generously funding the upcycling costs, highlighting their commitment to supporting initiatives that positively impact the local community.

• The response from the broader community has been truly heartwarming as well. With offers of donations of funds, time and many items for repurposing.

• And of course, the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter team who are helping these women in crisis to create a better, happier future.

To find out more about either business:

www.essenceofhome.com.au/designforhope

www.shedeleven.com.au