About Us

The Network of International Women for Brighton & Hove, run by volunteers, provides a platform for women to meet, share experience and knowledge and support one another. We meet in different venues across the City to share information, exchange ideas, learn and build friendships.

Formed in 2017, we have met regularly on Wednesday mornings, in a space offered to us by the Brighton Jubilee Library. Our first creative project was the Illuminate Tapestry, an extraordinary collection of nearly 100 individual squares, in which the women of Brighton and Hove capture the spirit of where they are from and where they live now.

We have since grown to a membership of around 400 women, from around 56 countries, speaking 44 languages, taking part in a wide range of activities.

The Network was granted charitable status (CIO) in September 2020.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a ‘safe space’, social and personal support, as well as mentoring, education, training and employment opportunities so that women, their families and friends, can make the most of opportunities that are on offer and have an improved quality of life.

The Network provides opportunities where women can participate in wider community dialogue and civic life, particularly on matters which are related to perceived or actual exclusion, discrimination, racism and inequality.

Our aim is to reduce social isolation and enhance a sense of belonging especially between women from diverse and marginalized backgrounds, through taking part in inclusive group activities extending to broader community cohesion and integration for themselves, their families and friends.

We have close connections and partnerships with other organisations in the City, including the Trust for Developing Communities, Voices in Exile, RISE, MESH and the Women’s Centre, all of whom refer women for additional support and to Network activities.

The Home Office report, ‘Indicators of Integration Framework, 2019’ Identified the activities of The Network of International Women as an example of best practice in achieving integration for individuals whatever their background. They acknowledged that integration is achieved through bringing together many factors enabling ‘access to resources and opportunities as well as social mixing’.