Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan: The Woman Who Turned £100 into a Lifeline for Thousands Facing Poverty and Abuse

When Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan landed in the UK after fleeing a war-torn homeland, she had no money, no connections, and no safety net — only a burning resolve to build one for others. In 2009, with just £100 and a deep understanding of trauma, she founded Zinthiya Trust, a Leicester-based charity that today stands as one of the region’s most vital lifelines for women and families in crisis.

The trust provides urgent, wraparound support to more than 2,000 individuals annually, ranging from emergency housing, fuel support, and debt relief to school uniforms, hygiene kits, and long-term education outreach. The impact is as broad as it is deep.

“I began with £100 and a basic aim: to provide hope,” says Zinthiya. “But hope alone doesn’t change lives. Consistency, courage, and community do.”

Her journey wasn’t linear. The trust was born in the shadows of the 2009 global financial crash, then weathered the pandemic, and now stands strong amid a cost-of-living crisis. The need has grown, but resources haven’t kept pace — and yet, the charity endures.

At the heart of Zinthiya Trust is something rare in the nonprofit sector: lived experience. An astonishing 85% of staff were once service users, creating a uniquely empathetic culture that is both responsive and resilient.

This ethos has shaped the trust’s defining feature: a holistic support system under one roof. Whether a woman is fleeing abuse with no public recourse, or a single mother needs fuel to cook for her children, the trust delivers immediate help and long-term dignity.

“We don’t just assist — we understand,” she says. “Our team has lived the stories we now help rewrite.”

Zinthiya’s leadership reflects quiet strength and sharp strategy. Her response to increasing demand wasn’t to downsize — it was to diversify. In 2018, she launched a social enterprise offering low-cost food and sanitary products, adding a sustainable arm to the nonprofit’s growing ecosystem.

Despite awards, recognition, and a strong digital presence — notably on Instagram and LinkedIn — her focus remains grounded in service. Recent accolades include the 2025 Great Companies Award and widespread community recognition, yet she measures success in lives changed, not likes gained.

For women dreaming of building impact-driven ventures, her advice is grounded and clear:

“Be ready to give before you gain. And never underestimate the power of a small start.”

Why Zinthiya Trust Stands Apart

• Real-World Understanding: 85% of the team has walked the same journey as those they serve.

• No Gaps Left Behind: Supports women even when public funding fails them.

• Multiple Services, One Roof: Abuse recovery, crisis housing, financial help, and more.

• Grassroots With Grit: From £100 to an award-winning movement, grown through grit and strategy.

• Entrepreneurial DNA: Launched a social business to sustain and expand community support.

From Survivor to System-Builder

Zinthiya's story is more than one of survival. It's a blueprint for courage-led change — showing the world that even the smallest beginnings can scale into national movements. As systems strain and crises grow, Zinthiya Trust doesn’t just fill the gaps. It reminds us why they exist — and what can happen when someone dares to bridge them.

“We may be small in resources,” Zinthiya says, “but we’re mighty in purpose. And that’s what truly sustains us.”

🔗 Learn more: zinthiyatrust.org

📲 Follow: @zganeshpanchan

📍 Location: Leicester, United Kingdom