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True Story True Honour

True Story True Honour

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True Story, True HonourIn recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, SI Bournemouth #orangedtheworld and partnered Bournemouth University and Dorset Police to host an ‘Honour Based Violence’ presentation by Sarbjit Kaur Athwal and Dr Clive Driscoll from the charity, True Honour. The True Honour charity campaigns to raise awareness of honour based violence, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation. Sarbjit’s sister-In-law was the victim of an honour based killing and she gave a very personal testimony at the event which was heartbreaking. She strived for years to convince police and social services that her sister -in-law had been taken to India and murdered. Eventually Dr Clive Driscoll who at the time was a DCI with the Metropolitan Police took up her case and obtained the first conviction for an honour based murder. Sarbjit tells the story in her book –

A Milestone Birthday

A Milestone Birthday

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Long standing member of Bournemouth Soroptimists, Pam Baker, had a surprise at the recent club meeting when members gave her a birthday cake to celebrate reaching 90 years of age! Pam had already been spoilt by family and friends who took her for a birthday lunch and a theatre visit to see Madame Butterfly, her first theatre outing since recovering from a long term illness.  Pam thanked members for the lovely flowers which were sent to her too.

Fun and Laughter at the SIGBI Conference in Bournemouth 2019

Fun and Laughter at the SIGBI Conference in Bournemouth 2019

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Bournemouth Soroptimists were out in force at the recent federation conference held locally at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Understandably it was ‘all hands on deck’ to support the Executive Board of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) at this annual extravaganza when women from 29 countries met and celebrated all things mental health which they had been promoting since they last met in Liverpool in 2018. The strapline #thinkonit was used throughout the year as requested by outgoing President Sue Williams. Many inspiring speakers motivated delegates to continue their work on mental health issues which focus on educating, empowering and enabling women and girls to face challenges in their lives. This is a theme which soroptimists adhere to in all their work whether it is in the realms of Economic Empowerment, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Food Security and Healthcare or Violence and Conflict

Very Strong Leaves Supporting The Flower – The Water Lily Project

Very Strong Leaves Supporting The Flower – The Water Lily Project

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  SI Bournemouth members welcomed Liz Carter, Project Manager at the Water Lily Project to their September meeting.  The Project provides support and empower vulnerable women in Christchurch and surrounding areas and help them back to independent living, a service which soroptimists are enthusiastic about locally, nationally and internationally. It predominantly supports vulnerable women in crisis. This may be a temporary crisis such as an acrimonious divorce, bereavement, illness etc or it could be something more long term such as mental health issues, self-harming, domestic violence and abuse, addiction or financial difficulties. The aims for all of the beneficiaries is to: provide a friendly and loving environment where women feel safe and protected give women the freedom to be themselves give women space to heal and grow give FREE support in a non-judgmental surrounding On a secondary level the project supports the local community at a cafe which they

Congratulations Honorary Alderman Bob Chapman

Congratulations Honorary Alderman Bob Chapman

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Soroptimist International of Bournemouth supporter Bob Chapman was, on 26 February 2019, admitted to be an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Bournemouth as the highest mark of esteem and honour that the Council can bestow in recognition of the 37 years eminent service rendered by him to the Council particularly as Mayor during his tenure of this important and honourable office from May 2006 to May 2007 Effective from 6 May 2019 he will be admitted to be an Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Bournemouth in recognition of 37 years eminent service to the Council and the Town We thank him for his support over the years and wish him well in his new title as Honorary Freeman Mr Chapman  

All Change and C.L.A.N.G.E.R.S………no not the dropping kind or those whistling on a blue planet far, far away!

All Change and C.L.A.N.G.E.R.S………no not the dropping kind or those whistling on a blue planet far, far away!

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  SI Bournemouth members welcomed their new President, Catherine Beal, at the recent Annual General Meeting held at the West Hants Tennis Club. It was a busy meeting of ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’s’ to the many members who work as a team of friends who are like-minded women, have fun and work on projects that help improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally. Pres Catherine thanked outgoing Pres Liz Dominey who had shared the role with Catherine throughout the last year. There was much swapping and presentation of insignia with thanks given to Past Pres, Shirley Thompson, and a welcoming to Pres Elect, Julie Lankshear. Pres Catherine also had great pleasure in presenting long service awards to Deirdre Castle for 30 years and Hilda Brownlow for 25 years. In her opening speech as President of SI Bournemouth 2019-20, Catherine invited members

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY WITH #STEM2019 and CSW63

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY WITH #STEM2019 and CSW63

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SI Bournemouth members are looking forward to their #STEM2019 Challenge fortnight. The annual competition is now in its sixth year with the purpose of encouraging girls in Years 8 and 9 to consider developing interest in STEM subjects. This year entries have been submitted from 19 teams across 12 schools, 8 from Year 8 and 11 from Year 9. The Heats will take place on Tuesday, 12th and Thursday, 14th March in the Fusion Building at Bournemouth University with judging starting at 6.30pm.  As always the club and competitors are most grateful to the university’s support of the event. The Finals and Prizegiving will take place at the same venue on Thursday, 21st March and we will be welcoming the HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Professor Gillian Slater. Joint President of SI Bournemouth, Liz Dominey, who is also Chair of the UK Programme Action

REASONS TO BE A DEDICATED SOROPTIMIST!

REASONS TO BE A DEDICATED SOROPTIMIST!

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    At SI Bournemouth’s February meeting President Catherine presented member, Jenny Carter, with a certificate to commemorate her very lengthy service of 35 years to SI Bournemouth. Jenny emphasized that her commitment was determined by the amazing good works in the various programmes of action over the decades not only locally but regionally, nationally and internationally and are too many to mention individually over such a long period of dedication. Members annually reflect on their work and 2018 was a real milestone when the SI Bournemouth club celebrated its 80th anniversary and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for work on their STEM Challenge project. 2019 is expected to be another exciting year for members who, along with their ongoing programme, will be supporting the Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) conference which is being held at Bournemouth International Conference

UNITY IN A VISION…………AND FOOD!

UNITY IN A VISION…………AND FOOD!

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Sayma Ahmed and Rita Satti were welcomed to the first meeting of 2019 to inform members about their voluntary community organisation ‘Unity in Vision’ based in Bournemouth. Sayma gave a very humorous history of her life in the UK since her arrival in 1967. From her varied experiences of her happy marriage, bringing up children and helping to run the family restaurant she has been able to apply her acquired skills to helping people from diverse cultures to settle into the British way of life.  Similarly Rita complements this amazing duo with her passion for community engagement, training and education and safeguarding. Unity in Vision is a voluntary community organisation that operates across Dorset.  It has been running for 10 years, with the main objective to unite people from diverse cultures to work co-operatively to benefit the communities directly in its area of operation. To