General
Lunchtime interfaith event encourages thoughtful discussion
23 February 2026
Turtle Dove visits Hills Road to mark International Women’s Day 2026
Hills Road marked International Women’s Day with a special lunchtime talk from the founder of Cambridge social enterprise Turtle Dove.
Published on 18/03/2026
On Friday 13 March, students gathered for a lunchtime talk to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, which this year had the theme ‘Give to Gain.’
Kate Nation, CEO and Founder of Turtle Dove, captivated students with her presentation, giving insights into the work of the Cambridge-based organisation.
Turtle Dove supports young women aged 14–24 in Cambridgeshire, who may face barriers to education, employment or training.
The charity provides mentoring, work experience and confidence-building opportunities, often through hospitality and events work, helping participants develop practical skills and self-belief as they move towards employment or further study.
Give to Gain
Kate described to students the importance of addressing gaps in opportunity and provide real-world experience for young women who may otherwise struggle to access it.
The audience learned how Turtle Dove creates supportive spaces for young women, helping them to "build confidence and feel empowered to pursue their ambitions."
The occasion was a perfect way to bring to life the 2026 International Women’s Day ‘Give to Gain’ theme: all about supporting women through mentoring, opportunity and community action.
Local connection
The College was delighted to welcome such an important, locally run organisation, and every seat was taken as students learned about Turtle Dove’s work across Cambridgeshire.
Kate was introduced to students by Karen White-Varma, Head of Student Personal Development at Hills Road and a member of the College’s EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) panel.
Reflecting on the event, Karen said: “International Women’s Day is always an important opportunity for young people to reflect on making a positive impact in their communities, and Turtle Dove is a perfect, and local, example of the ‘Give to Gain’ theme in action.”
