Using Social Media and our Website
The Club website is constantly being updated with the latest news on our Programme Action (projects). Simultaneously, social media has been used to to promote this as well as Club events and special meetings where guest speakers have been invited. We use four social media platforms to promote ourselves i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. The majority of posts and adverts on social media lead people directly to SI Epsom’s website where they can find out about the various projects we are involved with.
Working with organisations
We work with many different organisations and charities and in May 2017, we invited representatives from some of them to talk about their work and share experiences. Michelle from ESDAS (East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services), DCI Clive with Sarbjit from True Honour(right photo), Cathy from My Time for Young Carers and Lorraine from African Vision Malawi (centre photo) all gave us insights into their work and expressed their gratitude for our support and encouragement. Since then, we have continued to work with True Honour in supporting their trustees and their funding bids. Our involvement with African Vision Malawi grew into supporting a young girl, Grace, through school and then into university. You can read about our support of Grace here: Sponsoring a young woman’s education in Malawi Amazing Grace!
Charlotte Kneer, CEO, I Choose Freedom, (formally Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid ) ( left photo) is an honorary member of our Club. We have supported the charity for several years with donations of money, Trauma Teddies and other toys as well planting trees at one of the refuges.
Where in the World?
SI Epsom members do their best to raise awareness of Soroptimist International. We don’t want it to be a well kept secret! Few people realise that we belong to a worldwide organisation. Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of over 75,000 club members in 122 countries. Advocating for human rights and gender equality, at the heart of Soroptimist International’s advocacy is its work across six UN Centres, where our UN representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard. Our membership work on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in communities worldwide.
We have worked around the world. Below are some examples of our support for communities over the years.
In 2011, we supported flood victims in Pakistan by providing solar lighting We Lit up a Village
In June 2017, we set up our promotional stall at Ashtead Rotary Village Day and were able to show people a map of the world and highlight where Soroptimists Clubs existed.
In Sept 2019, we ran a stall at Polesden Lacy Donkey Derby and raised awareness about our toilet twinning project for two schools in Malawi. Toilet Twinning
In June 2022, at Ashtead Rotary Village Day we sold badges and flowers with funding going towards supporting families from Lviv. Ukraine – Supporting Lviv
A stitch in time
This isn’t something that is usually associated with Soroptimists, but we raised funds for My Time for Young Carers by selling our knitted creations at craft fairs and events. Handmade toys and baby clothes fit beautifully with the ethos of the charity, which is to support children whose home lives are really stressful because of family illness and disability. Diana is a champion at producing toys for carers! My Time for Young Carers
In 2022, we began knitting Trauma Teddies for children involved in traumatic incidents. Teddies have been knitted by friends of Soroptimists as well. Teddies have been distributed to Surrey Police ( left photo) for their patrol cars and video suites when dealing with abused children. They have been included in I Choose Freedom ( a Refuge) Welcome Packs for families and Epsom and Ewell Foodbank Christmas packages. Other points of distribution will be found soon. Trauma Teddies Supporting Children
