Members of Soroptimist International of Stafford joined with representatives of several other women’s organisations on the bridge in Stafford’s Victoria Park on March 8th to join the

SI Stafford combined with Oxfam,Stafford Women’s AId, the Women’s Institute and the Inner Wheel to share ideas and promote this worldwide initiative. 

Zena Lear, President SI Stafford 2010-2011, with local representatives of The Prince's Trust, Debbie Rushbrooke and Rosa Richie

SI Stafford welcomed guest speakers, Debbie Rushbrooke and Rosa Richie (a young ambassador for the Prince’s Trust), to the November speaker meeting. This proved to be an uplifting occasion as club members heard directly from a young person who had benefited from the Trust’s work.

The Princes Trust has been Fund raising for disadvantaged young people between the ages of 14 and 30 years old for the last 12 years. It was originally set up by the Prince of Wales for 7.5K and now fund raises up to 1 million pounds per week, helping approximately 40,000 young people a year. Within the West Midlands Region it provides opportunities for 4,000 young people to take part in various projects. Such young people include those who are seen to have under achieved, the unemployed, young offenders and those from the care system.

Programmes include;

1. TEAM – This is a personal Development Course where a group of 12 – 15 young people come together for a 12 week course acquiring skills to make them more employable.

2. Enterprise Programme – a business start-up package helping any potential business from window cleaning to Elvis impersonators! A young person may approach the Princes Trust with a business idea. If accepted they are put through a 4 week business workshop that covers everything from writing the business plan to taxation. The business plan is then presented to a panel for funding to support starting the business.

Debbie’s main role within the Trust is to fund raise through relationships with local businesses.

Rosa, who is an ambassador for the Trust, completed the Team project after dropping out of university. Within the programme she gained work experience in a local hotel for 2 weeks, was given advice on how to build her CV and took part in a project working with adults who have learning difficulties. Since completing her programme she now has a plan to return to university and take up a career working with Adults with learning difficulties.

The West Midland Region runs 72 TEAM projects per year, 18 of which are in Staffordshire.

Both speakers were inspiring and passionate about what they had learned from either working for the Trust or taking part in the projects, giving a positive perspective on the potential of young people.

Judith Brosh (to right of top photo) is Haifa’s Friendship Links Coordinator, she keeps in regular contact with President and Links Coordinator Clare Briscoe.

The Neve Sha’anan Haifa Club is a thriving group with whom we are proud to be linked.

Members of Stafford Club enjoy the sights of the Old Town in Mainz in August 2009 on a Friendship visit.

 Race Night at Weston Village Hall

President Zena Lear with organisers of the evening Alison Elsmore (centre) and Val Denne. Plenty of fluttering as well as fund raising for our chosen charities. 

Geography – Near Italy, not part of EU. They have their own language. North/ South divide. North – very poor and backward. South – Mediterranean and more wealthy.

History – Once Ottoman occupation ruled, but after second world war, run by dictator (Enva Hoxha, pronounced Hodger) – atheist and communist – paranoid about invasion, borders built, plus 700,000 concrete bunkers and 1,000 iron spikes to stop parachutes landing. Hoxha aligned with China – big steel works in Elbasan, built by Chinese – massive pollution. Hoxha introduced primary education for all, very basic hospitals, vaccinations and full employment.

Transport – No cars in Albania?? – Tirana – capital, lots of bicycles.

Law and Order – Secret police to enforce law – lots of corruption. Many land disputes after fall of Berlin wall – no real legal system.

Customs -

1. Blood feuds – medieval – honour bound to kill in retribution

2. Sworn virgins – only men make decisions – many women live as men.

No provision for disabled people. Enormous gulf between Albania and other countries. Albania receives aid form Germany and Saudi Arabia to build roads etc.

Voirreys involvement

Voirrey has been involved with a charity called International Community Assistance (ICA). Set up by David an ex-army man – built two schools and a medical centre. Voirrey has taught English in Albania on several occasions – last visited 2008 – she finds them very bright and innovative. She believes that Albania is the forgotten country as Romania and Bulgaria receive regular help. Voirrey believes, the less people have, the more they give.

Kindly submitted by Judith Carder,

Guest speaker, Helen Whitehouse entertained and informed members with a comprehensive talk on the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).

Helen, herself a narrow boat enthusiast and volunteer with the IWA explained the mission of the Association and gave an interesting presentation of the canal system a unique and innovative travel infrastructure over 200 years old.

Whilst the canals continue to provide enjoyment to boaters, walkers, gongoozlers, anglers, cyclists, tourists etc there is the necessity to protect what remains of this unique heritage. Restoration, conservation and preservation of the industrial architecture and waterway environment will support the benefit for the future for leisure pursuits and our wildlife. Campaigns and lobbying are undertaken by the IWA with the aim of promoting the use of the waterway system as an environmentally friendly and economical way of moving goods.

Helen showed the aesthetic gains from the hard work by volunteers after a canal has been reclaimed, locks restored and the system opened up to boat traffic once again. It is difficult to picture these transport routes as the precursor to motorway stems of today.