Connect & Belong
IWN recognises the need for individual as well as collective support for women; we understand that women need women spaces where they can thrive from within as well as draw strength and inspiration from a community of women where they feel they belong.
Looking for your tribe? Here you will find a supportive, warm, welcoming, like-minded, and friendly group of women as we understand all too well the need for women only spaces.
Find out more about the 2025 Speakers and Facilitators HERE
Sometimes the first thing we need is somewhere to go.
Somewhere you can walk through the door without already knowing everyone. A reason to leave the house. A familiar face. A conversation in your own language. A chance to try something new, move your body, make something, share food, explore Cornwall or simply spend time with other women.
At IWN, we believe connection matters.
Isolation can affect women for many different reasons: moving somewhere new, working from home, caring for others, not driving, language, disability, motherhood, starting again after a difficult period, or simply reaching a point in life where your old circles have changed.
You don't need to be in crisis to need community. And you don't need to have a particular reason for coming to IWN.
Everyone is welcome, so come as you are.
Tea, Food & Conversation
Some of the best conversations happen around a table.
Through projects such as The Travelling Teapot and Food for Thought, we use tea, food and everyday traditions as a starting point for discovering one another's cultures, stories and experiences.
Discover The Travelling Teapot
WHAT WE DO
One-to-One Support
We know how hard it is to reach out when you need a little help, a listening ear, a friendly face. We are here for you. We can offer you 1-1 non-judgemental and empowering support.
Social Group
Looking for your tribe? Here you will find a supportive, warm, welcoming, like-minded, and friendly group of women as we understand all too well the need for women only spaces.
Workshops
We offer a variety of exciting workshops throughout the year inspired by our members. Want to try something new? Have you got an idea for us? Get in touch!
Training
Promoting women’s empowerment, self-development, and advancement by providing inspirational support, training, mentoring and coaching for personal and professional growth in a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space.
WHAT WE DO
Find Your Kind of Connection
There isn't one right way to meet people.
Some women love walking into a busy room and starting conversations.
Others would much rather meet while doing something, walking, making, cooking or learning. That's why we create lots of different ways to take part.
Make & Create
Sometimes conversation comes more easily when your hands are busy.
Our creative sessions are relaxed spaces to try something new, share skills and spend time with other women. You don't need to think of yourself as creative, and you certainly don't need to arrive knowing what you're doing.
Move & Explore
Get outside, move your body and discover more of Cornwall.
Our walks, dance, yoga, and other movement activities are about feeling good, trying things and enjoying being active with other women, not being the fastest, strongest or most experienced person in the room.
Think & Talk
Sometimes we want somewhere to watch something, hear a different perspective, ask questions and talk about things that matter.
Films for Thought and Books for Thought create opportunities to encounter different stories and experiences, reflect together and sometimes challenge what we thought we knew.
See what’s coming up across IWN on our What’s On page.
Too nervous to come along?
You might wonder whether everyone already knows each other. Whether you'll fit in. Whether you need to bring someone. Whether you'll know what to say.
You don't.
Lots of women come to IWN for the first time on their own. Our team will welcome you and help you settle in. You can join in as much or as little as feels comfortable.
We completely understand that it can be difficult to step outside of our safe spaces into a new territory. We would be happy for one of our staff or volunteers to come to you so you can get to know one of us first to help make that first step just a little bit easier.
Contact us if you would like this support.
PARTNERSHIP
IWN recognises the value and bigger impact of collaborative working hence we plan to work in partnership with others that share our ethos, values and objectives. We already established excellent links in the community from local businesses, community groups, churches, to local councillors.
Having completed the SSE start-up and scale up programmes, IWN has made strong connections with other local social enterprises.
These partnerships will allow us to act as an advocate for women’s issues, in particular ethnic minorities, by engaging with keys partners and policy makers at the local and county level around diversity needs to ensure that issues relevant to women and girls are addressed and are afforded the appropriate resources.
If your values align with ours, contact us because we are stronger together!
IWN Community
IWN's community work focuses on promoting and celebrating equity, diversity, and culture in Cornwall by breaking down barriers, building bridges, and promoting dialogue and understanding.
We do this by providing a wide range of cultural and social activities and events, talks and courses, and a variety of creative workshops that bring people together to get to know each other, to connect hearts and minds, and to strengthen communities.
It’s where diversity in all its forms and contexts is what brings us together and unites us, and where everyone belongs.
Culture & Community
Cornwall is home to women with many different languages, cultures, histories and experiences.
We create spaces where women can celebrate and share those cultures, and spaces where the wider community can come together with curiosity to learn from one another. This includes cultural celebrations, community gatherings and groups shaped by the women who take part.
South Asian Heritage Community • Spanish-Speaking Community • Cultural celebrations
Community shaped by the women in it
Some of our best ideas haven't started in a meeting.
They've started with a woman saying:
“Could we…?”
Could we start a walking group?
Could we celebrate this?
Could we create something for women who speak my language?
Could I share something from my culture?
We want IWN's community programme to keep growing that way.
[Share an idea with us →]
Then:
[See what's happening →]