Building Partnerships. Advancing Women’s Health. Creating Lasting Change.
On 22 July 2026, Diversity House welcomed an outstanding gathering of leaders and partners from across Kent and Medway for its Summer Reception, bringing together representatives from the NHS, higher education, local government, business, research, philanthropy and the voluntary and community sector.
Set within the beautiful surroundings of the , Hempstead House Hotel & Spa London Road, Bapchild, Sittingbourne ME9 9PP, the afternoon celebrated far more than partnership. It marked the beginning of an ambitious regional conversation about how we work together to improve the health, wellbeing and life opportunities of women and girls.
From the moment guests arrived, there was an atmosphere of warmth, optimism and collaboration, reflecting Diversity House’s longstanding commitment to bringing organisations together to create lasting social change.
A Shared Vision for Women’s Health and Wellbeing
During her keynote address, Dr Christine Locke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity House, challenged delegates to think differently about women’s health.
She highlighted that improving women’s health requires more than excellent healthcare alone. It demands collaboration between communities, universities, researchers, businesses, local government and the NHS, recognising that the wider social determinants of health, including education, employment, housing, financial security, safety and opportunity, play a critical role in shaping women’s lives.
Dr Locke introduced the proposed Diversity House Women’s Health & Wellbeing Index for Kent and Medway, a pioneering initiative that will place women’s lived experiences alongside research and public health evidence to support more informed policy, stronger partnerships and meaningful systems change.
“Evidence should not simply describe inequality—it should help eliminate it.”
— Dr Christine Locke
Launching the Kent & Medway Women’s Charter
One of the defining moments of the afternoon was the official launch of the Kent & Medway Women’s Charter.
The Charter was formally unveiled by Diversity House Patron Mrs Rosemary Dymond DL, together with Dr Gill Fargher DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Dr Blessing Enakimio, Dr Judith Jackson, and Dr Christine Locke.
The inaugural signing symbolised a shared commitment to advancing equality, strengthening partnership and ensuring that women and girls remain central to leadership, policy and decision-making across Kent and Medway.
More than a document, the Charter represents a growing movement that Diversity House hopes will unite organisations across every sector around a common purpose.
Summer Reception Photo Gallery
We are delighted to share a collection of photographs capturing many of the memorable moments from the afternoon.
From inspiring speeches and the official launch of the Kent & Medway Women’s Charter to networking, partnership conversations and moments of celebration, the gallery reflects the spirit of collaboration that defined the event.
View the full Summer Reception 2026 Photo Gallery:
https://www.charlesagwu.co.uk/Kent-Medway-Womens-Health-Wellbeing-/n-49kdHq
Leadership Through Partnership
The Summer Reception featured inspiring reflections from distinguished speakers who emphasised that today’s most complex challenges cannot be solved by individual organisations working in isolation.
Throughout the afternoon, a common theme emerged:
Partnership is the foundation of lasting change.
Whether discussing women’s health, research, education, enterprise or community development, delegates recognised that sustainable progress depends upon listening to communities, sharing expertise and working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
Conversations That Matter
One of the highlights of the reception was a series of facilitated roundtable discussions, bringing together participants from different sectors to exchange ideas, identify shared priorities and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Topics included:
- Women’s Health and Wellbeing
- Research and Innovation
- Education and Young People
- Community Inclusion
- Enterprise and Social Value
- Leadership and Regional Impact
These conversations generated valuable insights that will help shape the next phase of the Women’s Health & Wellbeing Index and strengthen future partnership working across Kent and Medway.
A Celebration of Community
Beyond the formal programme, the Summer Reception was an opportunity to celebrate the power of community.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon of conversation, networking and live piano music in an atmosphere that reflected Diversity House’s values of inclusion, respect and collaboration.
New partnerships were formed, existing relationships strengthened and exciting opportunities identified for future research, innovation and joint working.
The photograph above captures this spirit perfectly—leaders and partners from different backgrounds coming together with optimism, purpose and a shared commitment to improving lives.
Looking Ahead
The Summer Reception marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Diversity House.
Over the coming months, the organisation will continue to work with partners to develop the Women’s Health & Wellbeing Index, expand support for the Kent & Medway Women’s Charter, and build new collaborations across research, public health, education, business and the voluntary sector.
Looking further ahead, 2027 will mark the 20th Anniversary of Diversity House, providing an opportunity to celebrate two decades of community leadership while continuing to build partnerships that create healthier, fairer and more inclusive communities.
Thank You
Diversity House extends its sincere thanks to every guest, speaker, partner, volunteer and supporter who contributed to the success of the Summer Reception.
Together, we have taken the first steps towards a shared vision—one where research is informed by communities, partnership drives innovation, and every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we are building healthier futures.