Dr. Sally Olewe-Richards – Founder of Women of Wisdom and Courage®

Dr. Sally Olewe-Richards is the founder of Women of Wisdom and Courage® (WOWC), a global initiative dedicated to empowering women and making trauma recovery accessible. With a PhD in sociology and social policy, she combines her expertise in research, lived experience, and therapeutic skills to create innovative recovery programmes that support survivors of domestic abuse.

Sally launched the WOWC community in 2019, driven by a vision to provide a safe and supportive space for women navigating the aftermath of abuse. In 2020, she introduced the first trauma recovery programme, offering survivors structured healing tools. During the pandemic (2020-2022), she ran local support projects, providing lifelines to women facing domestic abuse during lockdowns.

In 2021, she published My Red Quilt, a powerful collection of poetry and artwork by survivors, which received 5-star reviews. That same year, she was a finalist for the Digital Women Awards – Role Model of the Year, recognising her impact in supporting women through digital platforms.

Sally was previously the Chair of Broxtowe Women’s Project (BWP) and led groundbreaking research for BWP and Nottinghamshire Police, exploring victims’ experiences of reporting domestic abuse. She continues her advocacy as a member of the Metropolitan Police Victims’ Voices Panel, influencing policy and practice for survivor-centred responses.

In 2022, Sally self-funded the development of the WOWC app, creating an affordable, accessible platform for survivors to heal in their own space and at their own pace. With founding members joining in 2023, the programme evolved into SHIELD™ in 2024, following a successful pilot funded by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner. SHIELD™ now offers a comprehensive, integrative trauma recovery pathway.

A qualified life coach and clinical hypnotherapist, Sally is also trained in somatic approaches to healing trauma, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), mindfulness, and meditation. Her work is informed by both evidence-based practice and holistic healing, making recovery tools accessible and effective.

Currently, Sally is a Research Associate with the University of Nottingham and De Montfort University, leading a study on women survivors’ experiences of perimenopause (2024-2025), further amplifying the voices of women often overlooked in research and policy.

Passionate about creating a global sisterhood for healing, Sally’s mission is to ensure that every woman, no matter where she is in the world, has access to affordable, evidence-based recovery tools—empowering her to reclaim her life with dignity, strength, and courage.

Children and Young People’s Expert, Author, Artist, Co-Creator of The Emotions Toolkit, and Domestic Abuse Consultant

Debra Webster is a children and young people’s expert with a strong background in supporting children and women recovering from domestic abuse. With years of experience as a former teacher, Debra brings a deep understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing. She is the co-creator of The Emotions Toolkit, a practical resource developed to help children navigate complex emotions, especially in the context of trauma and domestic abuse.

As a consultant to domestic abuse charities, Debra offers valuable insights into the unique needs of children impacted by abuse, providing tailored advice and support to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met. She also works directly with children and families, offering 1:1 support and group work designed to help children and women heal and thrive after trauma.

Debra is the author of several children’s books that focus on helping young people understand and process their emotions, providing them with tools to navigate emotional challenges in a healthy way.

Debra joined the Women of Wisdom and Courage® (WOWC) team in May 2022, where she has been instrumental in developing and delivering the SHIELD™ programme. Her expertise has been crucial in ensuring that the programme is both trauma-informed and inclusive, supporting survivors through recovery and empowerment.

In addition to her work in domestic abuse support, Debra is an accomplished artist and illustrator, using creative expression as a tool for healing. Her artwork is a reflection of her compassionate approach to supporting survivors, offering both a therapeutic outlet and a way to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children and young people.

Through her work, Debra is committed to empowering children and women to overcome the effects of trauma, offering a safe space for healing, expression and growth.