Issue: February 2026
This month, we had our second AGM as a charity. Follow us on our socials to stay up-to-date with our events.
✨ Past Events Highlights
🌝🚶♀️Weekly Wednesday Wellness Walks
Date: February 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2026.
Summary: Despite the month being largely cold and wet, the WSO team had lovely walks in the park amongst the snowdrops and daffodils. We would like to reassure any women who are nervous about walking at night that the park is busy with other exercise groups of joggers and runners and there are always two Women Stepping Out volunteers present on each evening walk. Do join us for a breath of fresh air and a gentle turn around the park.
❄️🎅 Feature Her Friday Spotlights celebrating the “Wonderful Women of Warwickshire”
Date: February 20, & 27, 2026.
Summary: We continued our new feature to bring a spotlight on the inspiring women in our community. Each one of them brings something special to society, inspiring us to do better, get better, and be better! Watch this space for inspiring stories of “her” amongst us.
This month we featured these two amazing women:
📅 Upcoming Events
🤞Yvonne McKinnon
At Women Stepping Out we are delighted to spotlight Yvonne McKinnon who has founded the New Chapters substance misuse rehabilitation centre in Leamington Spa.
New Chapters is a residential supported living house who provides support to individuals who are navigating recovery and rebuilding their lives. New Chapters is all about walking alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments, and helping them access the support they need, rebuild confidence, and believe that change is possible.
She said that she founded New Chapters because “I have seen, lived, and felt the devastating impact of addiction. I know what it’s like to feel powerless, invisible, and stuck in a cycle that seems impossible to break. I wanted other individuals who were trapped in addiction to have the chance of recovery like I did and the opportunity to repair the damage caused to their families, children and communities. Over the years I had noticed the cuts to drug/alcohol services and the impact this had on bed spaces in residential rehabs, they were becoming less and less, this gave me the motivation to set up New Chapters. It was vital for us to create an environment that was affordable, safe, stable, empathetic and non-judgemental in order for our residents and family members to feel safe, valued, seen & heard. New Chapters support individuals to discover their strengths, builds confidence and empowers them to close that chapter of their life and start to write the next one. I see every day the strength it takes for our residents to choose recovery, and it is an absolute privilege to be a part of their journey.”
When asked if there is any message she can give women. She said “To other women, I would say: believe in your strength, trust the journey—even when it’s hard—and know that by showing up with compassion and courage, you make a difference in your own life and in the lives of many others.”
Visit her website at https://www.newchapters.org.uk/what-we-do
#WomenSteppingOut #WomenInLeadership #WomenSupportingWomen #RecoveryMatters #AddictionRecovery #NewChapters #LeamingtonSpa #StrongerTogether #CommunityImpact #EmpowerHer #featureherfridays #BelieveInChange #CompassionInAction #RecoveryJourney #BreakingTheCycle #SafeSpaces #RebuildReclaimRise #InspirationInAction #SheLeads
⛪Suzette Aagaard
We are delighted to introduce a new voice in Warwick. Suzette is a community-minded leader whose work is quietly connecting people, strengthening networks, and serving some of the town’s most vulnerable residents.
Suzette said,
Hello!
I am a relative newcomer to Warwick, having taken up the post of Families and Community Engagement Minister at the Collegiate Church of St Mary in September 2024. Before this, I spent 30 years in London in a varied career, most recently serving as a school chaplain, families minister and children’s hospital chaplain.
Coming from South London, I was used to visible and complex social challenges. I arrived in Warwick assuming I would encounter far fewer of these issues. It did not take long to realise my mistake and to challenge my own assumptions. Need exists everywhere; it just does not always look the same.
My role at St Mary’s is a privilege. It allows me to build relationships with those who come into church especially families while also looking outward to where we can serve the wider community. That service is not necessarily overtly “religious”; it is practical, relational, and rooted in action. There are plenty of opportunities in life to talk a good game. Church service, at its best, is about being Christ’s hands and feet.
It is not hard to find need in Warwick in many different forms. The greater challenge is responding effectively and sustainably. My work gives me the privilege of spending time not only with our congregation, but also with new mothers, school children, asylum seekers, Food Pantry clients and, in the coming weeks, patients at Warwick Hospital. It’s often said that “the mark of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable members” and that feels especially relevant here.
As a new Warwickian, there is still so much I do not know. I have huge respect for those who are deeply connected and rooted in this town. One of my greatest joys is bringing people together, creating networks where knowledge, experience and resources can be shared.
A particular highlight since arriving alongside organising the Warwick Dog Show (which was epic!) and the forthcoming Warwick Festival of Peacebuilding has been launching *WarwickshireWomensWhatsApp*, a sisterhood-style WhatsApp group for women in Warwick. In a world where social media can often feel loud and exhausting, this is a space for women to share something far more valuable: wisdom.
If you would like to know more, please get in touch at community@stmaryswarwick.org.uk.
#FeatureHerFriday #WomenInLeadership #CommunityMatters #Warwick #ServiceInAction #StrongerTogether #WomenSupportingWomen
♋Breast Cancer Awareness Talk
We are delighted to host a talk by Breast Cancer Now at Pickard Street Community Centre, Warwick on 19th March 2026, starting at 7pm. Come and join us to find out more information. Anyone can be affected by breast cancer, so it’s important to be breast aware.
If possible please register for the event https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983446420637...
#breastcancerawareness #health #womenhelpingwomen #warwick #warwickshire
🎤🧑🎤🎶Village Voices Showtime
Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping tunes, big melodies, and much-loved songs from stage and screen as Village Voices takes you on a musical journey through movies and musicals – all performed alongside the wonderful North Leamington Orchestra.
Expect familiar favourites, rousing choruses, and plenty of moments that will have you humming along on the way home.
Even better, this special concert will be raising funds in support of Women Stepping Out, helping to make a positive difference in our community.
Bring your friends, bring the family, and join us for a feel-good night of music and community spirit!
