From Surviving to Flourishing: Banksia Women’s Journey with Women

*Lucy, Banksia Women Project Coordinator*

What does recovery from trauma look like when it’s led by women, for women, and grounded in gospel-shaped hope? That’s the heartbeat of Banksia Women—a Sydney-based ministry supporting women who’ve experienced domestic abuse.

Founded in 2019, Banksia Women walks alongside women in their healing journey—offering care, connection, and community in the name of Christ. With the help of a Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS) grant from ADM, Banksia Women has been able to grow its services and strengthen the gospel foundations that shape every aspect of their work.

A Ministry of Healing and Hope

Named after the hardy native plant that thrives in Australia’s harsh conditions, Banksia Women exists to help women flourish—even after deep pain and trauma.

The women in the Banksia community have often experienced multiple forms of abuse and have spent years simply surviving. At Banksia, they’re met with safety, compassion, and the hope of new life.

Banksia Women was born in response to a significant gap: the lack of long-term, post-crisis support for women. Escaping domestic and family violence takes immense courage and support—but it’s only the first step in a long journey of healing.

Banksia Women exists to support women in the critical months and years after the initial intense support has finished up—it’s designed to provide long-term support, community and connection.

At the core of Banksia Women is a twice-weekly Connect Group, where women can take time for themselves, connect with others, participate in trauma-informed wellbeing activities such as meditation and yoga, and share a lunch together. The impact of each of these services is profound.

“Just the simple act of having lunch with people is so important,” explains Lucy, Project Coordinator. “One woman came and she'd never had lunch with anyone for years because of the abuse. Everyone can relate to feeling isolated and needing a community.”

Another key aspect of what Bankia Women does is make a point of connecting with the participants over the phone each week.

“Often we are told that we are one of the only services that keeps checking in,” Lucy says.

The Immense Privilege

Lucy says she has known what she wanted to do with her life since she was a little girl: “ I always wanted to work with people and I think that was informed by my faith—something that was in line with what Jesus taught,” she explains.

After completing a degree in International and Global Studies, it didn’t take Lucy long to realise that there is great humanitarian need here in Australia, not just overseas—which is how she ended up working with Banksia, and she loves walking with the women.

“I learn a lot from them,” Lucy says. “They have their own strengths and they're very resourceful, so it's just that sometimes they need someone to validate the experiences they've been through. We know that the Holy Spirit's working, so it's really nice to be able to pray in these instances as well.”

The Impact of the Grant

The WIMSS grant has provided the financial support needed to fund Banksia Women’s twice-weekly trauma-informed yoga classes—the impact of which cannot be understated.

Research shows that it is critical for trauma treatment to engage the whole person. The movement of the body, like in yoga, can enhance the effectiveness of therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other talk-based treatments, and more and more people are seeking therapies that address both body and mind.

“A lot of women talk about this idea that they're not comfortable in their bodies,” Lucy shares. For many of her clients, yoga becomes a powerful way to reconnect with themselves and begin to feel at home in their own skin again. She recalls one client who described the experience as “almost like this feeling of poison leaving her body.”

Lucy often sees women arrive at the yoga classes visibly burdened: “They’ll come in really stressed and you can see their bodies are tight. They're withdrawn, their eyes are down.” But by the end of the session, there’s a noticeable transformation. “They're smiling, they're laughing. There's a lot more freedom.” It’s not a one-off occurrence, either. Week after week, Lucy sees the incredible difference the classes make.

“I really do believe that Jesus called us to love the widows and vulnerable women,” Lucy reflects. “So it's really nice to see the church getting behind an organisation like us and supporting us in this way.”

Banksia Women’s mission is simple but powerful: to offer lasting healing and gospel hope, one woman at a time.