Welcome back to the Henley Female Network where every fourth Friday of the month we provide a warm, supportive and welcoming space for conversation, inspiration and connection. Take time for yourself and come along to expand your personal and professional network as you connect with like-minded women. All women are welcome – whether you’re self employed, employed, currently taking a break or anything in between. Come for joy, for friendship, for business or for life. Our focus is on connection first and we find that when we start there business and friendship follow naturally. 

This month, we’re delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Sam Jonkers. Sam is endlessly inspiring to me. Her compassion and humanity toward people whose lives have been torn apart feel especially vital right now. So much of today’s rhetoric seeks to strip away the stories behind the faces of those who come to our country in search of sanctuary. I’m really looking forward to hearing her stories and being inspired not only by her, but also by the incredible people she works alongside.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories – inspiration from the the Calais Jungle and beyond: A decade ago, moved by the devastating scenes of the Syrian war and the growing refugee crisis, Sam found inspiration in two remarkable women working tirelessly to make a tangible difference amid the chaos of the Calais Jungle. Proof that small acts of kindness may not end wars, but they can transform lives and rebuild communities. Now volunteering with a refugee charity right here in the Thames Valley, she experiences the daily emotional rollercoaster of working alongside those rebuilding their lives—moments filled with anxiety, grief, relief, and joy. Her talk will reflect on the extraordinary courage of families fleeing violence and the profound impact of empathy, respect, and human connection in the journey toward recovery and integration.

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If you are interested in speaking at or sponsoring our Breakfast Conversation events, we would love to hear from you! Please fill out the form and we will be in touch.

*please note tickets are non refundable but you are welcome to resell at face value if you are no longer able to attend. 

** £5 from the sale of each ticket will be donated to the Chiltern Centre to support their work empowering young people with disabilities to live life to the full.**