Following a recent request from Grampian Womens Aid in Aberdeen members collected together a number of toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant which will be donated to them this week.   Grampian Womens Aid , established in the city in 1977 provides support and safe refuge to women experiencing domestic abuse. The charity is funded through a variety of funders including the Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire Council and donations to allow it to provide the best service it can for women, children and young people who have the right to live free from abuse.http://grampian-womens-aid.com

  As part of the coronation celebrations for King Charles and in recognition of the exceptional work done in their communities, 500 Coronation Champions were awarded special pin badges, signed certificates and invitations to join the new King and Queen at one of their celebration events. Some of these inspiring volunteers in Scotland were invited to a garden party in the grounds of the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Our member, Alison, was one of them! Many congratulations to her! Alison has been a volunteer for over 40 years, a member of our Soroptimist club for 25 years and was the Chair of the Aberdeen Soroptimist Housing Society for several years.  She has held many positions in the walking charity, the Ramblers, locally, nationally and UK wide, and was more recently Convenor of Ramblers Scotland. Alison was also with the Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS)

During the summer months club members welcomed two Canadian Soroptimists to the city. They were accompanied by  groups of members on tours around the city visiting Seaton Park and Duthie Park where they enjoyed the beautiful gardens and viewed two of the forty different 6 foot hare sculptures which are on display throughout Aberdeen and the north of Scotland as part of the 'Big Hop- Wild in Art' trail in aid of Clan Cancer Support.  Stained glass windows, rescued and restored by our club in 1971 to mark our club's Golden Jubilee, renovated in 2004 to celebrate our 75th anniversary and on permanent display in the Winter Gardens at the Duthie Park, were much admired. The visitors enjoyed views of the newly refurbished Union Terrace Gardens, paid a visit to St. Machar's Cathedral where they attended an organ recital, and spent some time in the

22nd SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, DUBLIN, IRELAND From 26th- 29th July 2023 members representing a host of countries from five Federations were welcomed to Dublin to participate in the 22nd Soroptimist International Convention to hear a range of speakers on a wide selection of challenging subjects, to exchange ideas and to not only meet up with friends again but to make new ones. The theme of the Convention was ‘Challenge the Future’. Members of the Aberdeen club were joined by another nine Scottish members from Glasgow, Perth, Crieff, Kirkcaldy, Falkirk, Paisley, Inverness and Nairn.   The Convention Programme included a talk from Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland who spoke of her deep concern for climate change, and her message to delegates was to take personal responsibility for our actions to combat it. The former president of the Republic of China spoke of the government

  This month as part of our support of the East Grampian Coastal Partnership – Turning the Plastic tide, and Paws on Plastic, groups of members spent time beach cleaning at nearby Stonehaven and Balmedie. The weather was kind and on both occasions a number of bags of rubbish were collected.http://egcp.scot   Wrapped up, armed and ready to tackle the job on Balmedie beach! #onlyleavefootprints

Members produced lots of tasty cakes and loads of strawberries for a recent strawberry tea held in a local church hub. There were also items of craft, books and plants for sale. The proceeds from the event will be donated to an organisation based in Moldova since 1996, now called AIM Moldova and previously known as Stella’s Voice. The organisation provides protection for the most vulnerable from human trafficking. It also collects a wide variety of items for refugees including bedding and blankets, essential baby items, toiletries, clothing and non perishable food. http://stellasvoice.org.uk http://aimmoldova.org

  ‘The solidarity of women is crucial to the formation, development and day-to-day running of Women’s Aid in Scotland’ (Women’s Aid Speaking Out Project). Early in the Women’s Aid movement ‘women helping women helping women’ became a motto and working principle, and working together has remained the central tenet to the work Women’s Aid continues to do today. Grampian Women’s Aid, based in Aberdeen, offers a free and confidential specialist service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse. Members heard from the organisation’s Prevention and Fundraising Lead who spoke of the invaluable group work done with women over the last two years. President Ruth thanked her for her inspiring talk. A donation will be made to Grampian Women’s Aid as part of our annual distribution of funds.http://www.grampian-women’s-aid.com    

  Saturday 20th May saw lots of visitors to the Bonnymuir Plant Sale where a huge range of plants and craft items sold very well. Proceeds from the sale of over £700 will be distributed to the Bonnymuir Green Community  Trust  Roof Fund, Trellis which supports therapeutic gardening and the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary rooftop garden. Sunflowers will be donated to a local nursery school.  http://www.bctg.co.uk   http://www.trellisscotland.org.uk

Our new club President Ruth was joined by a group of members and guests to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at Woodbank House on the outskirts of Aberdeen in celebration of King Charles’ Coronation. Tasty savoury items, cakes, wine and a variety of teas were served up and everyone agreed that the afternoon had been a good opportunity to relax with lots of chat. Following our afternoon tea members made their way to the edge of the garden to enjoy the very welcome sunshine.

Aberdeen City Lord Provost thanked all volunteers from a variety of  charities and organisations present at the Big Help Out on Monday 8th May which was organised by Aberdeen City Council of Volunteer Organisations (ACVO) and the charity, We Too. He spoke of his gratitude to the many people of Aberdeen who volunteer with a number of  organisations.  Certificates were handed out to all volunteers who had taken part on the day and to club members who spent time talking to other volunteers and to members of the public.