Club members attended a very informative talk about the inspiring and extensive work of the charity, Sue Ryder. Founded by Margaret Susan Ryder, a compassionate and caring humanitarian, to help displaced people after the Second World War, the scope of the  work of the organisation has widened to support those with complex needs and life threatening conditions across the UK and internationally. Today Sue Ryder’s dedicated staff including Sue Ryder Nurses, registered mental health nurses, care assistants, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists support people through the most difficult times of their lives giving them the care they need including support following bereavement. The local facility, Dee View Court, is the charity’s purpose built specialist Neurological Care Centre providing expert care and rehabilitation for adults with neurological conditions, with a total of 42 fully accessible en suite rooms with two supported living apartments. By focusing on what

  On International Women’s Day we celebrate the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women worldwide while bringing attention to issues like gender equality, women’s rights, reproductive health and violence against women and girls. This year the United Nations theme is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology  for Gender Equality.’  The aim is to highlight the crucial need to provide better access for women and girls to digital education and encourage more of them into careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.   To mark International Women’s Day club members have visited three care homes in Aberdeen to present pots of crocus bulbs grown by members to the residents.    

Club members enjoyed a fascinating talk from a representative of the Aberlour Trust outlining its wonderful work. Aberlour is a national children’s charity helping children and their families across Scotland have a brighter future. Its mission is to be brave for children and families and to provide support at the earliest opportunity in the belief that all children deserve to flourish since not all are born with an equal chance. Staff challenge themselves to be the best they can be and to listen carefully to children and their families about their experiences. They also use their campaigning voices to strengthen policies that promote equal opportunity and equality. The charity provides a wide range of services including residential care and fostering with loving homes for children who have experienced trauma and abuse. It gives babies a brighter future by building confidence in their parents, makes life

For one week in early December club members, with the help of volunteers from the charity, Aberdeen Cyrenians, took over the Aberdeen City Charities Shop selling a wide variety of donated stock that included clothing, toys and games, baby goods, books and bric a brac. We were raising funds for the charity which relies on public donations to provide care and support for vulnerable people and anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home through poverty. Money raised goes towards keeping food and essential items stocked up. This will ensure that everyone who needs a food parcel will get one. It is also used to provide fuel vouchers to help people heat their homes. It will ensure that service users have access to support when experiencing a difficult situation, when acquiring information for what matters to them, seeking skills training, employability opportunities or

Saturday 21st May, a beautiful sunny morning, saw us gather again at the lovely Bonnymuir Garden for our plant and craft sale. http://www.bgct.co.uk Business was brisk for a few hours and popular purchases were Nasturtiums, Nicotianas and Night Scented Stock as well as herbs, tomatoes, peppers and chillies. The children were particularly interested in the Sunflowers. Greeting cards and other craft items also sold well. Visitors enjoyed coffee and home bakes in the sunshine of the garden and it was good to talk to them about the plants and Soroptimism. Proceeds from the event will be distributed to Grampian Women’s Aid, Marie Curie and Mental Health Aberdeen. http://www.grampian-womens-aid.com http://www.mariecurie.org.uk http://www.mha.uk.net

Solange with Joint President Janice and                      Margaret with Joint Presidents Janice Membership Officer Dorothy                                         and Louise