On 19th August, some of club members attended an afternoon tea at Staining Lodge Golf Club, to celebrate Pam receiving her MBE from the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace earlier in the year. The trip to London was  a bit too much for Pam’s parents, both of whom are in their 90’s, so we were delighted they they were able to join us on this occasion. As always with Soroptimists, no matter how large or small the gathering, fun, food and friendship were in large supply and the event was enjoyed by all who attended, especially Pam’s mum and dad.

In July our club hosted Tina Hibbard, CEO of FCWA (Fylde Coast Women’s Aid). Tina regularly visits our club annually to give us an updates on how things are progressing at the Refuges and to receive our annual donation of cleaning materials, used to give the women when they move on to their own homes. This year we also collected towels and bedding. Tina told us  told us that this had been a difficult year as they are  struggling to re-home, due to increased rents and lack of social housing, which is causing a bed blocking system in the refuges. Needs have evolved, therefore services have to be evolved and they are now seeing more women with more complex needs. During the summer holidays the staff always like to treat the children currently in the refuges and the club were delighted to help out by

SI Blackpool & District proudly sponsor a female student of Blackpool 6th Form College, in one of the STEM categories. This year we very proudly presented two awards, the first one going to Tia Louise Cain an engineering student who is pictured here with her award, alongside our Treasurer Helen. Kia is going on to study Aero Engineering at University. The other student Victoria Chu, is a very quiet young lady who preferred not to be photographed and she will be studying Mathematics.

SI Blackpool & District welcome new member Treasurer Helen was pleased to be the one to welcome our newest member Chantelle to the club at our recent AGM. Helen pictured right, presents Chantelle with her membership certificate and badge, along with a club fleece.

Blackpool Soroptimists sponsor Girl Guide Treasurer Helen presenting a cheque for £220 as sponsorship to Girl Guide Vibha as she travels to South Korea in the summer to meet up with other girl guides from all around the world. Vibha will come back to the club to talk about her experience later in the year.

SI Blackpool and District are proud to sponsor Fylde Rugby Community Foundation. Fylde Rugby Community Foundation is an independent charity set up in 2020 to harness sport as a tool to improve the lives and prospects of local individuals and their overall wellbeing. The vision is to facilitate “Rugby for All” to benefit the  lives of all ages in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. SI Blackpool have chosen to support the launch of brand new rugby sessions for young girls aged 12-16. The plan is to support 240 girls in Year 7 across 4 schools in Blackpool with 10 sessions each at a cost of £3,750. The photo shows SI Blackpool members handing over the cheque to coordinator Phill Mills from Fylde Rugby Community Foundation.  

The club met in July for it’s annual Programme Action Evening, where we collect cleaning materials for Fylde Coast Womens Aid. Chief Executive Tina Hibbard came to accept the donations and to keep the club informed on the current work. To read the full report please click on the link   FCWA Annual Report 2022-23 FINAL

Club members celebrated the Charter Anniversary in May with an afternoon tea at Burnside Garden Centre. It was an informal occasion which was enjoyed by all in true Soroptimist fashion – with Food, Fun and Friendship.

Club Members hosted a stand at Thornton Library on International Womens Day to promote the work of Soroptimist International and were able to hand out leaflets and talk about the work we do.

The long-established friendship between Blackpool’s Windmill Youth Development Group and Blackpool & District Soroptimists continued over a brew last week ahead of Windmill’s final Duke of Edinburgh Gold Challenge to be held later in the year. Soroptimist Treasurer Helen Thompson presented a cheque to Windmill’s Stuart Sykes MBE, to swell funds for the final planning stages of this cumulative and prestigious award undertaken by local young people. Photo shows, from back left: Helen T, Stuart, Pat, front: Helen D, Wendy. If you are interested to know more about Blackpool Soroptimists who work locally, nationally and internationally with women and their families, Email us at SIBlackpoolsec@hotmail.com  or find more on our website www.sigbi.org/Blackpool-and-district