I am a strong believer in women being women’s greatest ally. And after reading Lovina Shenoy’s story, my confidence in that notion has been boosted manyfold.
Mumbai-born Lovina felt completely isolated when she had to move to London due to her husband’s work. Before that, they were in Dubai, where she felt at home thanks to the large Indian-expat community. But London was different. The sun would start to set by 2 pm, and the loneliness hit her harder than expected. Though she cherished the company of her husband and kids, she longed for female camaraderie—the warmth of women friends who just get you.
One day, when the silence became too heavy to bear, Lovina took a simple but brave step. She posted an open message on Facebook :
“Hey, I’m Lovina, I’m from Mumbai. I was in Dubai for a decade before I moved here. Is anyone free for a cup of coffee?”
She didn’t expect much. But to her surprise, a dozen women replied. Encouraged, she picked a location in Wembley and hoped a few would show up. Instead, 30 women turned up.
“I was shocked. I’m in a new country, and 30 women I didn’t know made the effort to join me for a cup of coffee,” Lovina recalls.
“I thought, Wow, I’ve got my tribe.”
Lovina Shenoy’s Coffee meetups turned into a Movement
That first gathering lit a spark in Lovina. What began as a small meetup quickly grew into a movement. In March 2022, she founded Indian Women in London & UK (IWLUK) on Facebook. Soon after, she started several location-based WhatsApp groups to make connections even easier.
Today, just over three years later, the numbers speak for themselves:
🔹 38,000+ members on Facebook
🔹 15,000+ women on WhatsApp across the UK
Lovina and the group’s co-admins, Prableen Rupra, Disha Rawat, and Nishi Gill, saw the hidden struggles many Indian women face in a new land: language barriers, social isolation, cultural confusion, and career breaks. So, they made IWLUK more than a social group. They turned it into a safe space and a strong network.
From Bollywood-themed brunches and walking clubs to career networking and mum meetups, IWLUK hosts multiple events every month to help women connect, grow, and feel at home.
A Tribe That Uplifts and Empowers
One of the many success stories that bloomed from IWLUK is that of Anu Chandrasekar, who launched her private career coaching business in 2025 after 20 years in the corporate world.
“The women definitely gave me the confidence to branch out,” she says.
But IWLUK isn’t just about career growth; it’s also a safety net for personal crises.
When a woman posted anonymously saying her husband had thrown her out, it was Nishi who stepped up and connected her with domestic violence experts and secured her a safe place to stay.
Then there’s Priya Mahajan, a new mum in the UK, who felt lost while trying to pick milk in a British supermarket. Sounds simple? For her, it was a moment of panic.
“Where I’m from in India, we have cow’s milk and buffalo milk. Here I saw red, blue, green labels—I didn’t know what to choose!” Priya shares with the BBC.
“So I asked the group—and they helped. More than that, I felt seen.”
“I found a mother in somebody, a grandmother in someone, a friend in another,” she smiles.
“The group has filled in the roles of people in my life.”
Culture, Community & Connection
Though IWLUK is a women-only space, Lovina listened when some asked why men weren’t included. She launched a separate, gender-inclusive group—Indian Professionals in London & UK—which now has over 53,000 members.
But IWLUK is still her passion project.
“I created this space for Indian women because I understand our culture, our festivals, our pain points,” says Lovina.
“I know how to make a woman feel she’s not alone—even in a foreign country.”
In a post-COVID world where 1 in 5 people globally report feeling socially isolated, groups like IWLUK are more than meetups—they’re lifelines. The World Health Organisation now treats social connection as a public health priority, and what Lovina has built is a brilliant example of grassroots impact.
“We are like the home away from home for Indian women in the UK,” Lovina says.
“That’s the biggest support system anyone can ask for.”
Here’s to Lovina Shenoy, our Woman of the Week, for proving that one heartfelt message and a cup of coffee can spark a revolution of kindness, community, and connection.
Follow her inspiring journey and more stories like hers at https://workwellwomaniya.com/category/woman-of-the-week/
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