The “Giving Jar”                                                            Pat handing over cheque to Grampian Women’s Aid

Soroptimists in Aberdeen have been raising awareness of the 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence. From 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10th December, International Human Rights Day, women across the world take action and raise awareness. The colour orange symbolises a brighter future, free of violence.

                                                       In her recent talk to club members Dr Astrid Whyte, the Chief Executive of the charity Mental Health Aberdeen, gave club members an insight into the work of its highly trained counsellors and volunteers who provide support programmes for a wide range of clients including young people. She also gave advice on ways of identifying and dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our lives. The charity which has been established for seventy years and has a reach beyond Aberdeen city into the shire receives no government support and relies solely on grants and donations. A valuable local service SI Aberdeen are proud to have been supporting during this difficult year. http://www.mha.uk.net

More congratulations to another two of our long serving members, Audrey Masson and Marjory Smart. Audrey (on the right) has completed 30 years as a soroptimist and has held many roles locally, at region and also nationally. She is a fount of knowledge about the organisation and a magnificent knitter, always having some charity knitting project on the go. Those hands are never still!     Marjory (on the left) has been a member of SI Aberdeen for 25 years. An excellent cook and baker, she has just completed 18 months as Ambassador for the SIGBI project Empowering Girls in Nepal. Audrey and Marjory received their long service awards (socially distanced) in President Janice's lovely garden.

Our first ever virtual conference. Excellent and inspiring speakers, and a variety of ways to enjoy the proceedings from home.

Congratulations to our member Dorothy McKay who has been a member of SI Aberdeen for 20 years. Here she is receiving her certificate from President Janice. Dorothy is currently a member of our media group and at the moment is compiling an updated history of the club from its beginnings in 1929. Look out for this appearing on the website soon!

The magnificent sum of £923 has been raised in sponsorship by Ruth, Audrey, Janice, Liz and Marion for the local charity and social enterprise Cfine (Community Food Initiatives North East). Cfine fight against food poverty through their food bank and support for individuals and families living in poverty. They provide a range of support and services for and with disadvantaged, vulnerable and low income individuals, families and communities in North East Scotland. Their social enterprise delivers fruit and vegetable boxes throughout Aberdeen and the profits are reinvested into maintaining and expanding a holistic system for people facing difficulty. Ruth, Audrey, Janice, Liz and Marion took part in the "Appetite for Change" challenge to live on £2 a day or less for a week and this to include all meals and drinks - quite a challenge for some of the coffee addicts! However sponsorship from friends

We have been collecting cleaning materials and toiletries for the women supported by Grampian Women’s Aid. Grampian Women’s Aid offers a free, confidential and non-judgemental, specialist service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse. SI Aberdeen members are continuing to collect for Grampian Women’s Aid during September and October.

Our gardening members are reusing and recycling plastic and other materials in the garden. Cardboard and plastics are used for sowing seeds, potting on and germination. cardboard egg boxes, plastic containers and plastic bags potatoes in 20kg bird seed bags plastic bags used for potatoes and growing on perennials

We have been busy tidying up and replanting the Soroptimist logo in the Duthie Park in Aberdeen. The logo was planted by the park staff in 2019 to mark our club’s 90th anniversary. This year the staff have been very busy catching up after lockdown so the club have taken over the display. We are very grateful to Chris Wardle of the National Trust who donated the beautiful pink begonias which are very striking. Pink is of course not the usual Soroptimist colour but we think it looks very attractive!