Women's Healing Sanctuary

19/06/2026

Long before Women’s Healing Sanctuary existed, I had already learned the importance of retreating from the world to rest, heal and reconnect with myself.

For many years, I travelled annually for self-care, restoration and counselling while working full-time supporting terminally ill cancer patients and their families.

I still remember my first retreat. I slept for almost three days. I hadn’t even realised how exhausted I was.

At first, I felt like I could barely afford to go. But over time, I realised I couldn’t afford not to.

Those experiences changed me. They helped me reconnect with myself and create a life where I could truly thrive.

The desire to offer other women this same opportunity for restoration and healing through the gift of retreat ultimately became part of the vision for Women’s Healing Sanctuary.

Five years on, I still feel incredibly moved by the women who walk through our doors and the courage they carry with them.

Healing should never be a luxury 💚

- Janine Hanna, Live-In Manager

18/06/2026

Rain on the roof. A warm fire. Good food. Gentle conversations.

Our recent Nurture You Retreat offered women the opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply and simply be.

Guests enjoyed calming meditation and reflection sessions with Fiona Brown from YOUtopia WELLbeing, along with a beautiful spa pamper experience including massage, facials and foot spas provided by the wonderful team from Ocean Spa Collective.

Sometimes healing isn't about doing more. It's about creating space to rest, connect and feel supported.

One guest summed up the weekend perfectly:
✨ "AMAZING! Peaceful, relaxing, beautiful food, no pressure. Everything was perfect!"

17/06/2026

She hadn't had a full night's sleep in 20 years.

Years of living with abuse had left their mark. Even after the relationship ended, the effects of trauma remained.

Like so many women who come to Women's Healing Sanctuary, she had spent years carrying responsibilities, worries, and burdens that few people could see.

When she arrived at the Sanctuary, she was exhausted.
Not just physically exhausted. Deeply exhausted.

For a few precious days, she was able to step away from the demands of daily life and simply rest.

She felt safe.
She felt cared for.
She had space to breathe.

Years later, she wrote to tell us that her stay at Women's Healing Sanctuary remains one of the most impactful experiences of her life.

This is why Women's Healing Sanctuary exists.

Because healing takes time.
Because rest matters.
Because every woman deserves the opportunity to feel safe, supported, and cared for.

As we celebrate five years of healing, we're asking our community to help ensure more women can access the Sanctuary when they need it most.

💚 Your EOFY donation will help provide healing stays for women experiencing trauma, grief, loss, and overwhelming life circumstances.

Together, we can help more women find hope, rest, and renewal.

Donate today: https://womenshealingsanctuary.com.au/support-us/

17/06/2026

Join us for our free Women's Circle Morning Tea as Fiona Brown from YOUtopia WELLbeing explores what it means to live with purpose and how reconnecting with our values can help us create a life that feels more aligned, meaningful and authentic. 💚Thursday 2 July 2026, 10.30am–12.00pm. Limited places to please register to attend.

When was the last time you stopped long enough to ask yourself:
✨ Am I living the life I truly want?
✨ What matters most to me right now?
✨ Am I making space for the things that give my life meaning?

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and lose sight of what brings us purpose, joy and fulfilment.

Join us for our free Women's Circle Morning Tea as Fiona Brown from YOUtopia WELLbeing explores what it means to live with purpose and how reconnecting with our values can help us create a life that feels more aligned, meaningful and authentic.

💚 Living with Purpose with Fiona Brown
💚Thursday 2 July 2026
💚 10.30am–12.00pm
💚 Women's Healing Sanctuary

This is a free event, but registrations are essential.
https://events.humanitix.com/women-s-circle-morning-tea

We'd love you to join us.

YOUtopia WELLbeing

16/06/2026

When was the last time you stopped long enough to ask yourself:
✨ Am I living the life I truly want?
✨ What matters most to me right now?
✨ Am I making space for the things that give my life meaning?

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and lose sight of what brings us purpose, joy and fulfilment.

Join us for our free Women's Circle Morning Tea as Fiona Brown from YOUtopia WELLbeing explores what it means to live with purpose and how reconnecting with our values can help us create a life that feels more aligned, meaningful and authentic.

💚 Living with Purpose with Fiona Brown
💚Thursday 2 July 2026
💚 10.30am–12.00pm
💚 Women's Healing Sanctuary

This is a free event, but registrations are essential.
https://events.humanitix.com/women-s-circle-morning-tea

We'd love you to join us.

YOUtopia WELLbeing

15/06/2026

There’s just one day left to vote in the Hunter Business Awards. 💚
👉https://thebusinessawards.com.au/81537/womens-healing-sanctuary

Every vote is a beautiful reminder that this work matters — that creating spaces for women to rest, heal and reconnect is something our community values and believes in.

If you’ve been meaning to vote, we’d be incredibly grateful for your support before voting closes tomorrow. Thank you for walking alongside us these past five years.

13/06/2026

Women’s Healing Sanctuary exists because of my son.

After my son died in a car accident, I found myself constantly thrown into depths of grief. I couldn’t imagine how I would ever function as “normal” again.

My friend Janine encouraged me to retreat to a women’s sanctuary, a place where I could simply pause, rest and allow myself to truly ‘be’ with my son and my grief.

That experience changed me. It taught me that healing doesn’t come from pushing through, staying busy or pretending we’re okay.

Sometimes healing begins when we finally give ourselves permission to stop.

To breathe.
To rest.
To feel.
To be held.

The feather in our logo is a reminder of my son. Women’s Healing Sanctuary only came about because of him… and because all women deserve a place to hold the parts of themselves and their stories they may be too exhausted, overwhelmed or heartbroken to continue carrying alone.

Five years later, I still feel deeply grateful for every woman who trusts us enough to walk through our doors.

Healing should never be a luxury 💚
- Sharalyn Drayton, Co-Founder & Chair

11/06/2026

What does five years of healing look like?

💚 301 women welcomed
💚 791 nights of healing provided
💚 228 Angel Sponsored nights funded
💚 97% of guests reporting a positive impact on their mental health

These numbers tell an important story.
They represent women who found a safe place to rest.

Women who felt seen and supported.
Women who were given space to breathe, reflect, and begin healing.

They also represent the generosity of a community that believes every woman deserves access to care and support, regardless of her circumstances.

As we reflect on the past five years, we're deeply grateful to every donor, volunteer, supporter, and advocate who has helped make this impact possible.

Together, we've created more than a sanctuary.

We've created hope.

10/06/2026

What happens when women finally stop rushing and start listening to themselves again?

Returning to Self is a restorative Winter retreat designed to support nervous system healing, mindfulness and emotional reconnection through movement, reflection, rest and gentle practices that help women slow down and breathe again.

Hosted by Fiona Brown from YOUtopia WELLbeing, this weekend offers a nurturing space to pause and reconnect with yourself away from the noise of everyday life. ✨

Limited places available: https://events.humanitix.com/returning-to-self-10-12-july

09/06/2026

💚 The Sanctuary simply wouldn't be the same without our incredible volunteers.

A huge thank you to Rowan, who recently built and installed these fantastic firewood storage racks, helping keep our firepit stocked and ready for the cooler months ahead.

We're also delighted to welcome Donna to our volunteer team. Donna has been lending a hand with housekeeping, gardening and all those little jobs that help keep the Sanctuary feeling warm, welcoming and cared for.

While Rowan and Donna are featured here, we're also grateful for the many people who generously volunteer their time behind the scenes, including our volunteer Board, whose leadership, guidance and commitment help ensure Women's Healing Sanctuary can continue supporting women when they need it most.

To every volunteer who contributes their time, skills and heart to the Sanctuary, thank you. We couldn't do this without you. 💚