Earlier this week Captain Christine Baker came along to our Coffee Morning at Rosegarth, members were happy to support the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal by donating goods on the Advent Calendar Christmas list & toys from the toy appeal. Every year the Torquay Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal. They work with Social Services and other agencies, and aim to make sure every child referred to them gets brand new presents to open on Christmas Day, and that every family referred to them receives a ‘Christmas Food Hamper’. Members have purchased Christmas Bags for Life and have been busy collecting throughout the month of November items from the advent calendar list, along with toys & gifts which will help those for whom Christmas is difficult time in our community. Cheryl Rider

On Tuesday 17th September at 7.30pm the Torquay & District Soroptimist International are hosting a talk by Anita Edgar on the street children of India. Child Rescue: Each Child Matters Anita Edgar’s story began when she was on holiday in Goa. Like any tourist, she was looking for some rest and relaxation on the beaches, with her daughter. Matthew Kurian was ministering to his congregation in a slum in north Goa and worked with drug and alcohol addicts. His vision was to open homes for the children he saw on the streets to keep them away from potential abuse and to give them a chance at life. During her stay in a beach hotel in Goa, Anita was moved by the plight of children rummaging for food in garbage heaps behind her hotel. The sight disturbed her, giving rise to visions of homes to shelter

Members met with Simon for a Healthwatch Digital House Party at Rosegarth during Mental Health Awareness Week. Healthwatch Torbay developed a free training & information resource  to show the public how they can use the internet to access health, social care & well being services using the internet. Members are keen to help develop a network of digital champions to support the people to be ‘digital health’ friendly. Cheryl Rider

Torquay members helped raise over £1200 at the Garden Party organised by the Paignton Community Larder,  Their annual soft toy tombola was well supported by the crowds of people who attended the event and Gaynor’s delicious home made scones went down a treat with clotted cream & jam. Cheryl Rider

The Torquay & District Soroptimist International are very dementia aware and members have put their skills to good use by knitting Twiddlemuffs/comforters which have been offered to local care homes with dementia & alzheimer sufferers. The hand knitted twiddlemuff/comforter may also help dexterity and act to stimulate those who have suffered a stroke.  It is knitted double so also helps to keep hands warm as well as occupied.  There are several decorations/embellishments sewn to both the outside and to the inside as well.  Different yarns and stitches are used to vary the texture of the muff. Decorations vary in size and shape. Please note that not all decorations are shown in the photo. In addition to Harbour Rise we have recently taken over 40 Twiddlemuffs to Greycliffe Manor, Erith House, Walmer House & Primley Park. If you know of anyone that would like a Twiddlemuff

SIGBI News Briefing – 18 April 2019

Members are helping people around the world create opportunity for themselves and their communities, they have recently loaned funds to – Empowering women in rural Senegal Madeleine’s Group who needed funds to buy seed and fertilizer for her garden.  The plants she will grow will be sold at the local market.  Proceeds from the sales help her cover daily living expenses as well as pay for her children’s education. Empowering women through community support and financial training Los Alegres De Santa Fe group needed funds to buy fertilizer & weeding maintenance on her cropland so that she can achieve healthy, quality products and give good customer service.  Proceeds from the sales will help her improve her home, increase production and acquire new land to have better finances and for her children to get an education Increasing agricultural production capacity of Kenyan farmers Gladys neede funds

A Freecycle Torbay post offering of Twiddlemuffs means these lovely ladies at the Harbour Rise Residential Home in Paignton have now got something to ‘twiddle’! Thanks to club members who knit these muffs for dementia patients & to Hilary Milner for collecting. If anyone else would like some Twiddlemuffs please contact  torquaydistrictsi@gmail.com