LAURA REINEKE
Chief Executive
Laura's story
Founder | Musician | Environmental Advocate | Open Water Swimmer
Laura Reineke is a passionate community leader, musician, and environmental campaigner based in Henley-on-Thames. After studying violin at Music College in London, she returned to her hometown to found Henley Music School (HMS)—a charity offering inclusive, high-quality music education to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
In 2021, Laura launched the Henley Community Hub, an ambitious project to restore a historic 1908 building into a vibrant, welcoming space for the whole community. The Hub will provide a permanent home for HMS, and serve as a vital centre for young people, creativity, and connection.
Following a back injury and fibromyalgia diagnosis, Laura took up open water swimming as a form of healing and discovered a new passion. She taught herself front crawl and began training for long-distance swims, embracing both the wildlife-filled summer Thames and the icy beauty of its winter currents. Her love for the river led her to found the Henley Mermaids, a group of women swimming to raise awareness about water pollution and campaign for clean, safe, swimmable rivers.
Laura is also the Co-founder and CEO of Friends of the Thames, a registered charity dedicated to restoring the health of the River Thames through education, advocacy, and community action. Her vision is clear: a Thames that is clean, biodiverse, and thriving—for people, wildlife, and future generations.
A committed athlete, Laura swam the English Channel in 2023 (15 hours, 23 minutes), followed by the 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan Island. In 2025, she aims to swim the Catalina Channel, becoming the sixth British woman over 50 to do so. She is on track to become the first British woman to complete the Oceans Seven—the ultimate challenge in marathon swimming.
Through her work in music, education, community development, and environmental activism, Laura champions the belief that lasting change begins at the local level—and that rivers, like people, flourish when they are nurtured and respected.
To support Laura’s projects or follow her swimming journey, please get in touch