Lucy Hebberts, Head of GINA, Wins Cambridge Social Innovation Prize 2026

Winners of the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize for 2026 were selected for their achievements and potential for creating positive social impact for individuals and communities in different parts of the UK through fashion, accessibility, training and entrepreneurship. The Prize is awarded by Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, and the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School, supported by a generous donation from Trinity Hall alumnus Graham Ross Russell. 

GINA is a social enterprise providing immediate, specialist support for women who have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse. Through counselling, resources, training and advocacy, GINA is working to ensure survivors receive compassionate, tailored support when they need it most, while challenging the attitudes and systems that enable violence against women and girls.

Lucy Hebberts, Head of GINA, describes the work of GINA and why she applied for the Prize:

I work to end violence against women and girls through leadership roles across the specialist sexual violence voluntary sector, including as a researcher, within a rape crisis charity and as head of a social venture, GINA.

As the UK’s only private-sector specialist rape crisis organisation, GINA is led by young women with lived experience. It delivers immediate specialist counselling, bespoke resources and meaningful volunteering/co-production opportunities for women affected by sexual violence – providing an alternative to the long waiting times often associated with free services.

I have grown GINA into a team of over 50, delivering more than 9 distinct services and producing over 100 tailored resources. Through a sustainable, self-generated revenue model, GINA provides early, specialist intervention to mitigate the long-term impacts of sexual trauma. In the past year alone, we supported over 200 women through 1,006 counselling sessions, with all reporting improved mental health and wellbeing.

I applied for this prize to strengthen leadership, partnerships and innovation; enabling me to deepen impact, embed within a collaborative support ecosystem and scale sustainable services.

I am honoured to receive this award and consider it a privilege to use it to deepen my impact for more women subjected to sexual violence.

🎙️ Listen to Lucy's Social Ideas Podcast episode

🏆  Read more about the Cambridge Social Innovation Prize

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