Colleagues from across Honeycomb Group came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a special lunchtime session this week, dedicated to connection, reflection and recognising the incredible women across our organisation.
Hosted by the Queen Bees - Honeycomb Group’s Women’s Network, the session brought colleagues together to share experiences, listen to inspiring stories and reflect on the importance of supporting and championing women both in the workplace and beyond.
Sharing experiences and inspiring conversations
A highlight of the event was hearing from three of our colleagues who generously shared their personal journeys, insights and reflections:
- Julie Guildford Smith, Chief Executive
- Kerry Birtles, Executive Director of Support and Wellbeing
- Jade Starkey-Bossons, Housing Support Coach
Each speaker offered a different perspective on their career and experiences, reflecting on the challenges they have faced, the lessons they have learned and the importance of supporting and uplifting other women along the way.
Their honest and thoughtful contributions sparked meaningful conversations among colleagues and highlighted the value of creating spaces where people can share their experiences and learn from one another.
Recognising the women who inspire us
As part of the celebration, colleagues also took part in a special appreciation activity using International Women’s Day cards.
The cards encouraged colleagues to recognise and celebrate strong women in their lives by passing on a message of appreciation – whether to a colleague, friend, family member or mentor who has made a positive impact.
The activity helped create a moment of reflection and gratitude, reminding everyone of the importance of recognising the women who inspire, support and empower us every day.
A thank you to our Queen Bees
The event was organised by the Queen Bees, Honeycomb Group’s Women’s Network, which works to create opportunities for colleagues to connect, support one another and champion gender equality across the organisation.
It's all part of our ambitious EDI strategy - creating a culture of belonging across our organisation and beyond. Events like this are an important way for us to come together, share experiences and continue building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
