A Harrogate-based social entrepreneur was among the invited guests at Westminster Abbey earlier this month for the VE80 Thanksgiving Service.
Valentina Hynes, founder of wellbeing-focused social enterprise SVH Inc. CIC and Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, attended the ceremony in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III, the Prime Minister, members of the Royal Family, and veterans from across the UK and Commonwealth.
The special event on 8th May commemorated 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
This marks the third time Valentina Hynes has been invited to a national or royal event.
In 2018, she attended the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, and in 2024, she and her husband were honoured guests at His Majesty’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace—both in recognition of her contributions to community and wellbeing.
Valentina Hynes described the VE80 service as a moment of deep reflection.
She said:
“It was humbling to stand alongside those who have served, and to be reminded that legacy is not only about remembrance—but also about the stories we choose to carry forward.”
Through her organisation, SVH Inc. CIC, Valentina Hynes works nationally to improve mental health and workplace culture through experiential learning, tailored training, and inclusive leadership development.
Earlier this year, Valentina Hynes led ‘Rooted in Action’, a flagship International Women’s Day event in Leeds.
The immersive workshop used planting as a metaphor to explore how women—like plants—need the right environment, support, and nurturing to thrive.
Alongside the hands-on activity, a Conversation Café invited women to discuss entrepreneurship, financial independence, allyship, and the concrete actions needed to accelerate change.
The event embodied the inclusive, purpose-led values echoed at the VE80 commemoration.
Reflecting on the day, Valentina Hynes also acknowledged a lingering silence:
“As moving as the service was, I couldn’t ignore the lack of recognition for African and Asian soldiers.
“Their sacrifice helped secure the freedom we celebrate—but their stories remain largely untold, even by those closest to the narrative.
“It's a silence that echoes through generations, and it’s time we fill it with truth.”
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