Our mission
The Holos Foundation is driven by a vision to help break the cycle of exploitation and trauma through holistic support.
Modern slavery is a hidden crisis affecting tens of thousands in the UK alone. For survivors, escaping exploitation is just the beginning. Many face complex challenges like ongoing criminal cases, language and cultural barriers, lack of autonomy, uncertainty, navigating complex social care and support systems, to name a few. Without means to financial independence, community or confidence to rebuild their lives, survivors face risk of further exploitation due to their inherently vulnerable situations. which can leave them at risk of being re-exploited.
For any individuals who have been subject to exploitation and trauma, the journey of rebuilding their lives is a long and challenging one. Here at the Holos Foundation we seek to offer support for these individuals through a holistic lens. Holos is a Greek word meaning "whole", a reflection of our vision to see lives restored to wholeness. We believe healing is not one-dimensional, it touches the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of who we are.
Our current reach is through our partnership with Holos Kombucha a social impact kombucha business that provides paid work placements to individuals who have experienced exploitation and trauma.
The Holos Foundation exists to support the additional needs of these participants, helping to strengthen their journey toward healing and independence through practical care and personal support.
Guided by the individual needs of Holos Kombucha participants and our charity partners, we offer tailored, hard-to-fund support, helping each person rebuild their life, step by step.
You can learn more about the work of Holos Kombucha here.
Our story
Our founders, Naomi and Megan, met Maya on the streets of Cambodia in 2015, where she was caught in exploitation. In a simple conversation, Maya shared her passion for nail art and with with just a small gesture they offered her a nail kit and connected her to a nearby hotel where she could begin painting nails and make that dream a reality.
Over the next few weeks and months, Megan and Naomi saw the power of supportive, accessible employment opportunities in helping her rebuild her life and allowing hope to take root. They helped her start something of her own and with the help of charities on the ground in Cambodia, Maya’s life transformed. She was off the streets, her children were in school, and she had a stable income.
That moment sparked a vision: to create a space where survivors of exploitation and trauma could rebuild their lives through meaningful work and holistic support. Back in the UK, Naomi and Megan with their co-founders turned that vision into reality with Holos Kombucha, running paid work placements for survivors of exploitation and trauma. in 2024 they established The Holos Foundation to provide additional support to these participants and stepped into the role of trustees.
What we do
When our story began with Maya, we saw the need for ongoing support as survivors of exploitation and trauma rebuilt their lives. Today, our Rebuild grants provide funding for continued care and therapeutic support.
Rebuild Grants
Our Rebuild grants provide practical support for survivors of exploitation and trauma as they rebuild their lives. These grants can be used for specific needs such as travel, essential appliances, further study, therapeutic counselling, or other steps that help create stability and opportunity.
We aim to empower individuals with the resources they need to move forward with confidence, hope, and purpose.
Sara's Story
“Hearing people say they believed in me, words I hadn’t heard in a very long time, gave me the energy to keep going.”
After being displaced by war and losing her husband, Sara had to rebuild her life alone in a new country while raising her son. She felt completely alone. Therapy felt out of reach until a Holos Foundation grant allowed her to join a 12-week women’s trauma-informed group in her native language.
Every week, she met online with a small circle of women who understood her. She could talk openly, laugh, cry, and be herself in a space that was safe and caring.
“ The group changed how I feel and how I think. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. I have more confidence. I was given permission to cry and show my emotions. A place to cry, smile and be different. If it wasn’t for this group I would be stuck’
The experience brought Sara peace, hope, and confidence. It helped her start to notice her own strength and feel ready to face each day.
“This group showed me you did it, you did the best that you can. You’re doing something. It’s given me peace and given me permission to take time to think. To take time and the space to understand what I really want. It's given me hope that I can change something, even if it's not perfect."
Holos Foundation grants make this kind of support possible.
Trustees
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Naomi Partridge
Based in West Sussex with her family, Naomi is a skilled leadership facilitator and coach. From 2015 to 2018, she served as CEO of the Sophie Hayes Foundation, where she led the development and national rollout of a pioneering employability programme for survivors of slavery and exploitation in the UK.
Naomi has also supported and acted as trustee for a range of other charities supporting girls and women who have been exploited, and offers invaluable insight, leadership, and a deep understanding of the sector. With a combination of strategic vision, frontline experience, and deep compassion, she brings wisdom, the tools for change and a strong sense of purpose to the Holos Foundation. -
Megan Landreth-Smith
Based in West Sussex with her family, Megan brings over six years of direct experience working with survivors of slavery in the UK and Cambodia. Her journey began in Soho, London, where she built lasting friendships with women in the red-light district supporting many as they left the industry behind.
She later spent a year in Southeast Asia on a ministry trip, working with rescue teams and in safe houses, offering care and rehabilitation support. These hands-on experiences shaped her deep understanding of trauma, restoration, and the long-term needs of survivors.
Megan brings to the board compassion, strong frontline connections, and clear insight into the needs of those we care for.
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Hazel Thompson
Hazel is an award-winning British photojournalist and filmmaker with over 20 years of experience documenting global social and humanitarian issues across more than 60 countries. Hazel's acclaimed book TAKEN exposes the harsh realities of sex trafficking in India, where she spent extensive time living within Mumbai’s red light district. Hazel’s bold, compassionate approach to truth-telling and advocacy paired with her insight and network connections, makes her a powerful and inspiring addition to The Holos Foundation.
Make a Difference Today
Join us in creating change. Your donation helps survivors of exploitation find stability, purpose, and hope.
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Every Holos kombucha bottle sold in Waitrose, and every sparkling tea can, contributes 2p to The Holos Foundation, helping us create real opportunities and lasting change for survivors of exploitation and trauma.
