Meet Cleo Walters, the Ipswich woman helping others find their village

Born and raised in Ipswich, Cleo is a personal coach, hypnotherapist and the founder of The Joy of Collective, a growing community that encourages women to connect, share experiences and create the kind of village many of us long for in modern life.

Launched on International Women’s Day in March 2025, The Joy of Collective was born from Cleo’s belief that nobody should have to navigate life’s ups and downs alone.

“All anybody wants is to be seen, heard and understood,” says Cleo. “Sometimes just knowing you’re not the only person going through something can make a world of difference.”

The community provides welcoming spaces where women can show up exactly as they are, whether they’re navigating motherhood, career changes, relationships, loss, personal growth or simply looking to meet new people.

At the heart of everything is a belief that joy matters.

“In a world where joy can sometimes feel like an act of rebellion, we have to remember not to lose hope. Love is an action, and one we should practise daily with ourselves and others.”

Unlike many communities that exist primarily online, The Joy of Collective focuses on bringing women together in person through regular events across Ipswich.

Building connections across the town

Each month, Cleo hosts a range of meet-ups designed to help women connect in different ways.

Walk and TalkA chance to get outdoors, enjoy local green spaces and have meaningful conversations while walking side by side. Depending on the location, the group often rounds off the morning with coffee, hot chocolate and cake at a nearby café.

Cake and ConnectPart social gathering, part creative workshop, these relaxed meet-ups invite women to try a new craft or skill while enjoying something sweet. Regularly attracting between eight and twelve attendees, they’ve become a popular way for new members to take their first step into the community.

Girls’ NightWhether it’s cocktails, dinner, the theatre, the cinema or discovering a new local venue, Girls’ Night celebrates friendship while supporting independent businesses across Ipswich and the surrounding area.

Introducing The Supper Club

The latest addition to the calendar is The Supper Club, a new quarterly event that combines good food, great conversation and learning.

Hosted at local venues, each supper club centres around a topic that impacts women’s lives, bringing in specialist speakers to share knowledge, start conversations and answer questions.

The first event takes place on Saturday 17 October at Roots Community Café and focuses on Money Matters.

Guests will enjoy a two-course meal while exploring practical ways to build financial confidence, helping women feel more empowered when it comes to managing money and planning for the future.

It’s exactly the kind of event Cleo envisioned when she founded the community: supportive, informative and centred around connection.

A community, not an audience

What makes The Joy of Collective stand out is its emphasis on genuine community.

This isn’t about growing followers or building an online audience. It’s about real people having real conversations, creating friendships and showing up for one another.

As the community continues to grow, Cleo hopes even more women in Ipswich will discover that there is a place for them, no matter what season of life they’re in.

Because sometimes all it takes is one conversation, one walk, or one shared slice of cake to realise you’ve found your people.

Find out more

🌐 thejoyofcollective.com (currently being rebuilt)
📸 Instagram: @thejoyofcollective
📘 Facebook: The Joy of Collective

Creating connection, cultivating joy and helping women across Ipswich find their village.