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Make it happen…

Make it happen…

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… make it matter! Northwest Soroptimists are delighted to announce that the next Regional Conference is taking place at Brockholes Nature Reserve Conference Centre on Saturday 13 May 2023. This is a new venue for our first conference in the post-Covid era. Brockholes Nature Reserve is located off M6 Junction 31 and is very conveniently situated for delegates from throughout the Northwest and beyond. The aim of the Conference stimulate discussion broaden knowledge and horizons provide networking opportunities The Conference speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, representing national or international organisations and/or undertaking work overseas. It is hoped they will both inspire and educate delegates and all will leave feeling motivated to make a difference, however small. For full details including how to book, see the main Conference 2023 page.

2022 Federation Conference - all the regional presents assembled
Who’s been to Belfast recently?

Who’s been to Belfast recently?

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SIGBI Belfast Conference 27 to 29 October 2022 Soroptimists from across the region (and indeed, from across the world) gathered in Belfast last month for the 88th annual Federation Conference - theme "Climate for Change". A chance to listen to inspiring speakers - Rebecca Cecil-Wright (EnviroFest International), Leigh Ellwood-Brown (Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific), Elizabeth Gowing (The Ideas Partnership), Gemma Milne (author of ‘Smoke & Mirrors: How Hype Obscures the Future and How to See Past It’), Tara Shine (Change by Degrees), Robyn Knox (British Red Cross) - and hear first hand some of the work which has been done or is planned for our Federation. It's also a great opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones, and to see some scenery! The 2022 Conference also held a bonus for one of the clubs in our region - congratulations to Grange-over-Sands on
Pan-Lancashire Anti Slavery Partnership walk 2022
Raising Awareness of Slavery

Raising Awareness of Slavery

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How do Northwest Soroptimists help to raise awareness of Modern Day Slavery? By taking part in the PLASP Roadshow Soroptimists from Preston, Blackpool, Garstang, Pendleside and Blackburn went to Blackpool on Saturday October 22nd to support the Pan Lancashire Anti Slavery Patnership (PLASP) with their Raising Awareness Roadshow. It was held to mark Anti Slavery Day on 18th October. Volunteers were giving out leaflets in front of a large screen which attracted a lot of interest from passers by. Our members marched up and down the sea front wielding placards and also handing out leaflets. It was busy in Blackpool probably helped by the bright and sunny afternoon, so hopefully a few members of the public have learned a little about Modern Day Slavery.
Joanna Pollard - Fair Trade Way Walk 2022
What is the Chocolate Has A Name project?

What is the Chocolate Has A Name project?

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The Fair Trade Way 'Chocolate Has A Name' is raising funds to set up chocolate making workshops for children of cocoa farmers in Ghana. This will help keep girls in school, reduce the chance of child marriage and give them skills to enable them to develop a career using cocoa produced by their family. Soroptimists from Lancaster, Grange over Sands and Windermere hosted Joanna Pollard on her 91 mile Fair Trade Way walk from Garstang to Keswick. She had a good send off by Garstang member Ruth Bruce and some members of SI Grange walked with her on the two legs between Lancaster and Kendal. A great project for Soroptimists to support. Please support Joanna's crowdfunder for Chocolate making workshops in Ghana.
Grange Soroptimists Burns Night 2022 - on Zoom
How do Soroptimists celebrate Burns Night on Zoom?

How do Soroptimists celebrate Burns Night on Zoom?

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Burns Night 22 January 2022 Grange Soroptimists organised a Burns Night with a difference this year, on Zoom. Soroptimists from the Northwest Region and beyond were invited, and the club also welcomed two members of Soroptimist International Braunschweig in Germany, including their President Brigitte. Ewen Cameron piped in the haggis and then recited the Address to the Haggis from memory, which was most impressive. Rebecca Bilkau educated and entertained us with the Immortal Memory, rounding off with husband Michael singing “A Man’s a Man for a’ that” – in German! Richard Grout proposed the Toast to the Lassies and Gill Bitcon Replied on behalf of the lassies, both poking gentle fun at the opposite sex. The evening rounded off with a quiz and some singing ably led by Janice including Auld Lang Syne. A good time was had by all, with help from a wee