Breaking the Cycle: How Kerryn Thrupp is Transforming Lives with Woven Earth
BItchstix celebrates the strength, resilience, and leadership of women around the world. Among them is Kerryn Thrupp, the founder and CEO of Woven Earth, a grassroots charity dedicated to empowering survivors of family violence by transforming empty houses into safe, fully furnished homes.
Leaving an abusive relationship is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of an uphill battle. Survivors often find themselves stepping into an empty house with no financial means to furnish it or rebuild their lives. This stark reality is what led Kerryn Thrupp, a survivor herself, to launch Woven Earth, a grassroots charity dedicated to creating loving homes for family violence survivors and their children.
From Survivor to Changemaker
Kerryn’s journey is deeply personal. As a mother of two, she endured family violence, homelessness, and years of navigating the legal system to secure safety for herself and her children. Throughout those difficult years, she saw firsthand the gaps in support available for survivors. Leaving was just the first step; rebuilding a life was the real challenge. Inspired by the kindness she received and determined to bridge the gap for others, she founded Woven Earth in 2019—the very day she and her children were finally granted safety in New Zealand.
Turning Empty Houses into Homes
What started as a simple idea—furnishing homes for survivors—has grown into a life-changing mission. Kerryn and her team work tirelessly to source pre-loved furniture, household essentials, and brand-new items, ensuring every survivor they help receives not just a house, but a home. Each space is carefully set up with dignity and care, giving families the warmth and stability they deserve.
Since its inception, Woven Earth has furnished an average of four homes per week, helping over 2,500 individuals reclaim their lives in a safe and nurturing environment. The impact is tangible: every $1 donated translates into approximately $16 worth of direct benefits for families, with each furnished home receiving an average of $15,000 in essential goods.
The Heart of Woven Earth
At its core, Woven Earth is powered by community support. Donors and volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the charity can continue to meet growing demands. Kerryn emphasizes the importance of collective action, stating, “We don’t just talk about what should happen; we do it. And we couldn’t do it without our incredible supporters.”
Beyond furnishing homes, Woven Earth also provides for children’s emotional and developmental needs. Through its Children's Fund, supported by the Lindsay Foundation and the ANZ staff foundation, the charity offers toys, school supplies, and extracurricular activities to help children heal and rebuild from trauma.
The Road Ahead
Despite the progress, the need remains urgent. Family violence in New Zealand is at crisis levels, with police responding to over 175,000 family harm incidents in a single year. The demand for Woven Earth’s services continues to grow, and Kerryn remains steadfast in her mission to break the cycle of violence, one loving home at a time.
“This is more than just furniture—it’s about dignity, hope, and a fresh start. Every family we help reminds us why we must keep going.” – Kerryn Thrupp
How You Can Help
Woven Earth relies on the generosity of the community to continue its work. You can support by donating quality pre-loved furniture, making a financial contribution, or partnering with the charity to help more families rebuild their lives.
Join Kerryn and Woven Earth in creating more loving homes. Together, we can break the cycle of family violence and give survivors the fresh start they deserve.
For more information or to get involved, visit wovenearth.org.nz.