Growing More Than Sunflowers

"Let's do it again!"

Following the success of last year's sunflower challenge, Inspired Women member Valerie Munro (AKA Auntie Planty) planted the seed of a wonderful idea:

"Let's do it again!"

Back in February and March, members began donations for sunflower packs, planting seeds, and preparing for another season of growing, fundraising, and a little friendly competition.

What started as a simple sunflower-growing challenge has once again blossomed into something much bigger, bringing together gardening, fundraising, learning, community spirit, and plenty of sunflower updates along the way.

Over the past few weeks, members have been nurturing their plants, sharing photos, comparing growth, swapping tips, and cheering each other on as tiny seedlings have stretched towards the sunshine.

As with so many things at Inspired Women, it has become about far more than the flowers themselves.

This year's challenge is raising funds for two wonderful causes: The People Hive and the Hampton Inspired Hub Project: Young & Inspired Enterprises. Every sunflower planted is helping support projects that make a real difference to local people and our wider community.

We're also incredibly fortunate to have gardening expertise within our membership. Valerie has generously shared her enthusiasm, encouragement, and practical gardening advice throughout the challenge, helping many of us give our sunflowers the very best chance of success. Whether you're an experienced gardener or someone who normally struggles to keep a houseplant alive, there has been support available every step of the way.

And then there is the creativity.

Inspired Women member Janet Weight Reed, international artist, who sponsored a sunflower herself, surprised us with a beautiful sunflower-inspired painting. (See featured image and read Janet's blog here)

Janet's artwork perfectly captures the joy, colour, and spirit of the challenge and reminds us that there are many ways to take part, contribute, and support one another.

One of the things I love most about Inspired Women is how often this happens. Someone shares an idea, others join in, knowledge gets passed around, creativity emerges, friendships grow, and before long something much bigger develops.

In many ways, the sunflower challenge perfectly reflects what our community is all about.

A tiny seed, given the right environment, can grow into something remarkable.

The same can be said for ideas, friendships, confidence, and collaboration.

As we move further into the summer months, we're excited to see how everyone's sunflowers continue to grow. Some are already reaching impressive heights, while others are taking a slower and steadier approach. Either way, we're celebrating every stage of the journey.

After all, growth isn't a race.

We'll be sharing more updates throughout the summer, including photos, progress reports, and eventually crowning our sunflower champions.

For now, enjoy some of the progress photos so far and join us in cheering on this year's growers.

Until then, keep watering, keep encouraging, and keep growing.

We can't wait to see what blooms next. 🌻

Stronger Together: Celebrating 20 Years of Curves Hampton

Twenty years ago, Curves Hampton opened its doors with a simple but powerful mission: to create a supportive space where women could become stronger… physically, emotionally, and together.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, I’ve found myself reflecting on just how much this community means to so many women… including me.

My own Curves journey began when I was just 16 years old, attending the club alongside my mum. Back then, I never imagined I’d one day become the owner. But when the club faced closure following the challenges of the pandemic, stepping in to save it felt deeply personal.

Two days before the doors were due to close for good, I took over the business, and honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Today, Curves Hampton has grown into a thriving community, with members of all ages and fitness levels walking through the doors every week. Some have been with Curves for many years, others are just beginning their journey, but what connects everyone is the feeling of encouragement, support, and belonging.

At Curves, we often say we’re more than a fitness club, we’re a family! And after 20 years in Hampton, I truly believe that.

What makes Curves special is that it’s designed specifically for women. Our 30-minute circuit combines strength training, cardio, and stretching into one coach-supported workout that adapts to each individual woman. Whether someone is returning to exercise, rebuilding confidence, managing health challenges, or simply wanting time for themselves, Curves meets them where they are.

But the real magic has always been the women themselves.

The friendships.
The encouragement.
The coaches who cheer you on.
The feeling of being seen and supported.

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we want to give something meaningful back to the community that has supported us for so many years.

That’s why we’ve launching our Stronger Together Initiative.

We’re inviting local people to nominate a woman who would truly benefit from a fully funded 12-month Curves membership. Whether she’s faced a difficult season, lost confidence, put herself last for too long, or simply deserves support and encouragement - we want to hear her story.

A select few of nominated women will receive a full year’s membership, helping make fitness, wellbeing, and community more accessible when it’s needed most.

Because strength looks different for every woman.
And sometimes the strongest thing we can do is support each other.

✨ You can find out more and submit a nomination here:
https://www.curveshampton.co.uk/stronger-together

You can also follow along with our anniversary celebrations here:
Click here for Facebook and Click here for Instgram

Here’s to 20 years of strong women, supportive community, and growing stronger together. 💜

A Season of Growth at Inspired Women

At last, it finally feels like spring is beginning to arrive.

The evenings are stretching out a little longer, there’s blossom appearing where there were bare branches, and after what felt like months of rain and grey skies, there’s a renewed sense of energy in the air.

And here at Inspired Women, that same feeling has been quietly growing too.

Over the past few months, we’ve welcomed a wonderful mix of returning members and brand new faces into the community. There’s been something really special about the atmosphere at our dinners recently, warm conversations, genuine connections, lots of laughter, and that lovely feeling of women supporting women in a relaxed and meaningful way.

Each event brings together women from different backgrounds, businesses, life stages, and experiences, yet somehow the room always feels welcoming, encouraging, and full of possibility.

Alongside our regular dinners, Inspired Creativities has continued to grow steadily too. These slower-paced evenings at the Hub are becoming a lovely rhythm within the community, a chance to bring a project, learn a new skill, chat over a cuppa, and simply enjoy creating together. There’s something wonderfully grounding about sitting around a table with busy hands and open conversation.

Our online workshops are also beginning to find their feet. Some are still small and intimate, but that’s bringing its own kind of magic, more interaction, more connection, and more space for genuine conversation and learning.

What feels most exciting is that Inspired Women continues to evolve naturally. Not through pressure or rushing, but through relationships, collaboration, consistency, and community spirit.

This year already feels full of possibility.

There are more collaborations emerging, more ideas being shared, and more women stepping through the door looking for connection, creativity, support, and inspiration.

Inspired Women has never been about being the biggest or busiest room. It’s about creating spaces where women feel comfortable to show up as themselves! Whether they come to network, learn, collaborate, make friends, or simply take a pause from the busyness of life.

So while the sunshine may still be warming up, inside Inspired Women there’s already a real sense that a new season is blooming.

And honestly? I can’t wait to see what grows next! 🌻

My Word for 2026: Service

Happy New Year Inspired Women!

As we step into a new year, and we hear & see all the 'new year new you' adverts, and all the pressure to set 'resolutions', I invite you to notice something different about how an Inspired Woman approaches intention setting.

I don’t do rigid resolutions.

Instead, I invite you to choose a word, as I do. Something that feels spacious, supportive, and alive. A word that can grow with us, rather than box us in.

Last year, my word was inspired by the Japanese concept of Oubaitori, the idea that we all grow at our own pace, in our own time, without comparison. That philosophy shaped so much of 2025: softer expectations, deeper compassion, and a real appreciation for progress that doesn’t shout.

This year, my word is Service.

And like all good words, it has layers.

Service to myself: listening to my energy, honouring my capacity, and accepting that I can’t do everything at once.

Service to others: showing up where I’m most needed, in ways that feel grounded, purposeful, and sustainable.

Over the past year, my work has naturally evolved. Alongside Inspired Women, I’ve stepped further into employed roles with Curves, 21&Co, RUILS, and United Response. All these roles have elements of supporting people through movement, care, community, and practical help. From being a circuit coach to a support worker, service now runs like a golden thread through my working life.

This doesn’t mean I’m closing the door on my self-employed work. Body Confidence Wellness is still part of me, just no longer front and centre. I’m not actively promoting my coaching work (because I can’t do everything) but if someone comes to me and truly wants support, I’ll always make space where I can.

I’m still practising Reiki. I may even teach this year, or I may not, that feels like one for divine timing. In the meantime I'm still very much working with 1:1 clients and monthly Online sessions.

And Inspired Women? I’m still 100% committed. This community matters deeply to me, and nurturing it is one of the most meaningful forms of service I know.

Choosing Service as my word isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what matters. With intention, boundaries, and heart.

If you’re feeling called to choose a word this year, let it be one that supports you. Not one that pressures you. Not one that demands perfection. Growth happens when we honour where we are and serve from that place.

Here’s to a year of meaningful service, in all the ways that truly count. And a year of beautiful meaningful connections through all we do at Inspired Women.

Have you chosen your word of 2026 yet? If so, why don't you head over the Facebook Group and share with us there?

A New Home for Healing and Collaboration: CSRI Academy at The Nexus Holistic Education Centre

I recently had the joy of attending the launch of a brand-new home for Inspired Woman Mariann Freed’s CSRI Training Academy, now based at The Nexus Holistic Education Centre in Shepperton.

The Nexus is a beautiful and tranquil retreat space created by Jo Woods and her husband Tom at their family home on Walton Lane Farm. Surrounded by gardens, horses, and picturesque countryside, the centre offers a welcoming sanctuary for workshops, day retreats, and short events, while also providing short-term accommodation upstairs for professionals working locally, including those at Shepperton Studios.

Mariann’s CSRI Academy of Excellence has now found a perfect home here. The Academy offers world-class teaching in Cranio-Sacral Reflexology Faure-Alderson®️, training reflexologists across the UK and internationally to a high standard of skill, confidence, and care.

As Mariann explains: “Our mission is not only to provide exceptional training in the field of reflexology but also to foster a community of like-minded individuals who share our commitment to promoting health, wellness, and self-awareness.”

The launch event, which I attended with fellow Inspired Woman Erica Ferrar, was a wonderful celebration of both Mariann’s teaching and Jo’s vision for The Nexus as a collaborative wellness hub. With exciting plans for retreats and workshops already in conversation, including some potential Inspired Women collaborations next year, the opening of The Nexus marks the start of something special for Shepperton and beyond.

To find out more about the CSRI Academy of Excellence or the Nexus Holistic Education Centre, get in touch with Mariann and/or Jo directly: https://www.cranioreflex.com/contact/ or waltonlanefarm@gmail.com

Member Spotlight: Chloe Barnett – Empowering Women Through the Lens

At Inspired Women, we’re lucky to have so many talented, compassionate women in our community, and Chloe Barnett is one of them!

Chloe is a personal branding photographer who helps business owners step into their fullest expression and share their authentic selves with the world. Her photography is more than just images; it’s about capturing your story, your energy, and your uniqueness so that you can attract the clients who truly align with you.

As Chloe says:
“I love working with compassionate business owners who care about making the world a better place. By intentionally working with people who deeply care, we can start to build a more sustainable, compassionate and equal future for us all.”

Over the past few months, Chloe has beautifully captured moments from our Inspired Women dinners, first in April and most recently at our summer BBQ. She also ran a mini headshot session for me and two other members, creating photos that felt uplifting, authentic, and fun. Being in front of the camera can sometimes feel daunting, but Chloe has a magical way of putting people at ease, making the whole experience empowering.

Her clients often say the same: that she makes them feel confident, comfortable, and celebrated. One described her shoot as “fun, transformative, and empowering” — and we couldn’t agree more.

We’re so grateful to Chloe for sharing her talent with our Inspired Women community. Her vibrant, movement-filled photography is a reminder that visibility doesn’t have to be scary, it can be joyful, collaborative, and empowering.

Thank you, Chloe, for helping us shine!

You can find out more about Chloe’s work and upcoming mini headshot sessions on her website: https://www.chloebarnettphotography.co.uk/miniheadshots

Member Spotlight: Susan Green – Building Community in Hampton

If there’s one word that sums up Susan Green, it’s community.

As the original founder of Inspired Women and a true multi-hat wearer, Susan has spent years creating opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, and thrive.

From running Greenacres Nurseries to bringing all sorts of businesses and clubs to The Hampton Inspired Hub, Susan’s energy for building community is at the heart of everything she does.

When I took over Inspired Women earlier this year, Susan didn’t slow down. Instead, she stepped into a new role as Chair of the Hampton Village Traders Association (HVTA), where she now leads a vibrant group of local business owners working together to keep Hampton’s high street and various areas alive, welcoming, and thriving.

The HVTA is much more than a local business network. Under Susan’s leadership, it champions collaboration, organises monthly socials, and supports beloved community events such as the Christmas Celebrations and the upcoming Screen on the Green open-air cinema. The association also promotes Susan’s community initiatives like Never Hungry in Hampton and Never Alone at Christmas, ensuring that local support reaches those who need it most.

“Hampton is such a special place,” Susan says. “I feel lucky to be part of a community that looks out for each other, celebrates local talent, and supports our businesses. The HVTA gives us a chance to bring people together in meaningful ways.”

This August Bank Holiday Monday, Susan and the HVTA team will once again host Screen on the Green, a much-loved tradition that brings the whole community together for an evening of film, food, and fun under the summer sky. It’s one of the highlights of Hampton’s social calendar and a perfect example of the community spirit Susan works so hard to nurture.

Inspired Women is proud to spotlight Susan Green as a shining example of what it means to lead with vision, energy, and heart. From empowering women in business to championing Hampton’s traders, Susan continues to inspire those around her to give back, step up, and make a difference.

Would you like to get more involved in the HVTA? Get in touch! https://www.hamptonvillage.org.uk/

A Life in the Day Of...

A Life in the Day Of... Sarah Webb, 55, Nutrition Adviser & Weight Management Expert

Sarah has a comprehensive background in the health and fitness industry, qualified as a personal trainer, a fitness coach and most recently as a nutrition and weight management adviser. Her Eat Better UK bespoke programmes, based on her clients’ individual needs, provide straight forward advice and uncomplicated methods to get results. Sarah lives in Hanwell with her writer husband Paul.

"I wake to the gentle vibration on my wrist from my latest wellness wearable WHOOP. The time can vary slightly depending on the classes at my gym. I’m currently enjoying Vinyasa yoga and Swiss ball. I prefer to exercise early in the day; it gets me up and out in all weathers throughout the year. Before breakfast I’m on the scales to check my total body composition including bone density and visceral fat. A quick breakfast is Dorset cereal or, with a little longer, porridge, both with berries, a small banana, mixed seeds and semi-skimmed milk – all carefully weighed – and with a green tea and a vitamin D10µg supplement. At weekends its eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes on sourdough.

I check my stats on WHOOP - my sleep and recovery percentages, and yesterday’s daily strain. It’s important that I know how my body is starting the day as it can influence what equipment I choose to work on before or after my classes. I pick up my water bottle and head out for the fifteen-minute walk which I use as my warmup. I don’t wear earbuds; I like to listen for the birds over the sound of the early morning traffic, or the chatter of the children on their way to school if I’m starting a little later.

Back home, I take my first decaf coffee of the day (I’m calming my ANS, Autonomic Nervous System) into my workspace and I check my messages at my stand-up desk. Then it’s time to switch on the PC and get down to work – usually with some gentle jazz from Ella Fitzgerald, or French Café, or electronic from A-ha or the Thompson Twins. I log into my Nutritics software to calculate the nutritional analysis and dietary in-take of my clients. I check their progress, especially for any missing nutrients, for example vitamin A, and to recommend amendments if necessary.

A big part of my job is not only to advise on every client’s personal nutritional requirement, but also to monitor, motivate and support their progress throughout the programme. We all need a gentle reminder occasionally. My consultations can be in person or on Zoom. If I have a morning visit, I’ll take my lunch with me. This can either be a sandwich, chicken with rice or grains or salad, a handful of mixed nuts with a couple of dates and a piece of fruit.

In the office, my non consultation time is spent preparing for the next ones: analysing clients’ latest food diaries, measurements and stats, and making the adjustments required for their macro and micronutrient intakes. Other time is spent engrossed in research and staying up to date with current developments in papers published by The Nutrition Society and other respectable organisations. Sadly, too often, there are other sources with misleading articles with bold claims about what is supposed to be good or bad for us this week. My training and experience have taught me that many of these claims are mere headline grabbing fads with no substantiated, reliable, evidence-based or peer-reviewed research and I consider it part of my job to dispel any such misinformation. I’m pleased to hear that, at last, a Secretary of State for Health is attempting to tackle obesity at its cause. Through discussions with food manufacturers and the supermarkets I believe that Wes Streeting is a man in a million, trying to improve health and save lives by making the changes, at source, necessary to save the NHS.

I plan my supermarket shop to provide a fully nutritious weekly menu. I prefer to work with good ingredients, not recipes, and I like to think that I can throw anything together to make a nutritious, tasty and convenient dinner that complements my lunch and that completes my daily food group requirements. It helps that I can eat most things…but I do avoid tofu, kidney and polenta! With only good ingredients in the kitchen, it’s easier to prepare a wholesome meal: fish, chicken or meat with rice, pasta, potatoes or noodles, and at least three types of veg. Portion control is essential – no matter how tasty it is! Nothing takes me longer than half an hour from cupboard to table…unless I’m throwing a special dinner party…and that can take all day and create a lot of mess! I love eating out with a nice glass of wine in good restaurants and we often take the tube into London or take a walk through the park to Ealing.

At home, dinner is the start of my evening wind down. Paul and I sit at the table (I love a crisp, white tablecloth) and talk about our day and then I catch up with calls to friends and family and completing my own personal food diary before settling down around 9 p.m. for some TV. We look for a good drama, thriller, documentary or travel programme (loved Race Across the World) depending on our mood, and I like to finish with a half hour ‘funny’ before bed. I’ll read the Sunday paper magazines – starting with the Travel section for inspiration for our next holiday - or one of the four books I have on the go. They are always non-fiction, typically: Shackleton’s Antarctic adventures, something work-related and, currently, Vanessa Van Edwards fascinating ‘Captivate’ book about behavioural science. I set my wake up for the morning’s class and WHOOP suggests my bedtime to reach my sleep need to wake refreshed for the start of the next day."

Words of Wisdom

Best advice I was given: By my grandma Esma before I went to boarding school: Remember Sarah, no one likes a boaster.

Advice I’d give: Only go where you’re wanted.

What I wish I’d known: That family relationships change over time

The Next Chapter - Janet Weight Reed

After the Cardiff Bay Project – I went on to have exhibitions at St. David’s Hall Cardiff and the Centre Auguste Brizeux in Brittany.

With the encouragement of the artist Carel Weight I began to use my maiden name again – Janet WEIGHT Reed.

The exhibition in Brittany was made up of oil paintings and watercolour portraits from the USA, Wales, and France… Portrait painting has always been my first love.

As I travelled around I would carry my watercolours and set up shop wherever….it was both freeing and exciting. Through this I encountered many different people. Over the years I have painted so many watercolour portraits. I like to think I have left a paper trail….. Painting portraits in France.

In 1993 the world was a very different place. For example I brought some large oil paintings back with me. They were taken off stretchers – and rolled into large tubes which I was allowed to take into the cabin of my BA flight… I remember taking them through customs and no-one batted an eye lid. Today it would be different. (I was flying economy:)

Here are just a few of the paintings I brought back with me……

The quilt paintings were part of a large series of work – each one signifying the lives of people close to me….like autobiographical still life paintings.

A small quilt painting on the wall of my favourite studio in West Chester, Pa.

Through the exhibition in Brittany I met people who have since become very close friends……I could write books about each segment of my life – but for this blog I am giving the reader snap shots of life during this period. (Have a look here for more of the paintings)

When I had the exhibition in Brittany – the EU paid for a driver and truck to transport paintings from UK to France! Good times.

Would you like to learn more about me or my art? Click on the links above to go to my regular blog. I can also often be found hanging out at the Hampton Hub!

Meet Your New Host: My Journey to Inspired Women

Hi, I’m Justine, your new host for Inspired Women in Hampton! If we haven’t met yet, I can’t wait to connect. If we have, you already know that I’m passionate about building spaces where women feel truly seen, supported, and inspired. But let me take you back to how I got here…

For years, I struggled with self-doubt, trying to fit into a version of success that didn’t feel quite right. I played small, even when I had big dreams. It wasn’t until I dove deep into my own journey, through coaching, energy work, and a whole lot of self-reflection, that I realised something powerful… We thrive when we’re surrounded by the right people!

That’s exactly what Inspired Women is about. It’s not just networking, it’s a space where women connect on a real level, where we celebrate wins, support challenges, and lift each other up. Whether you’re growing a business, making a career shift, or just looking for a community that gets you, you’re in the right place.

I’m honoured to continue the amazing work that Susan Green started, and I hope to bring my own energy to this incredible group. So, let’s do this together, because when women support women, magic happens.
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