As shoppers browsed the busy Christmas market in central Bournemouth, Michael Dooley LVO and Jessica Toale MP joined Bournemouth Soroptimists and Arts University Bournemouth students at Patch in Bobby’s to launch a thought-provoking art exhibition, part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Mr Dooley shared: “Gender-based violence stems from unequal power and discrimination, and it remains one of the most pervasive violations of human rights across the globe. These 16 days remind us that addressing such violence is not simply about preventing harm, but about restoring something fundamental: harmony. Harmony in families, harmony in society, and harmony in the lives of those who deserve to live free from fear. Art can reveal truths that are often hidden and create a space where empathy becomes action. Because it is not enough simply to be moved or shocked by what we learn — we

Club secretary Gail Thomas was interviewed by Kev Kirby about our upcoming exhibition for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Here is a link to the podcast: https://player.autopod.xyz/1095478       If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.

Hilda shared some of the highlights of her rich and fulfilling life at our meeting in November. She started on a farm in the north of England where her grandfather bred shire horses. After marrying and having three children, she and her husband moved to Bournemouth and ran a highly successful guest house (eventually) and, once the children were older, Hilda turned her hand to a life helping the community in many ways. She was a magistrate for 29 years, set up a youth centre to help reduce crime in a needy area (reducing crime by 29% in the first year), was invited to number 10 Downing Street by Tony Blair to talk about the bail service she established to prevent offending while youths were on bail, and received an MBE for service to young people and reducing re-offending. She has been a Soroptimist for

In June 2025 Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West and honorary member of SI Bournemouth, along with Millie Earl, BCP Council Leader, established a Citizens’ Panel inviting residents to apply. Gail Thomas, secretary of SIB, was selected to join the group with the aim of identifying positive changes that could be made to Bournemouth town centre to refresh it. As the three large department stores had closed after the Covid pandemic and several smaller retail units are empty, the town centre no longer feels a busy, buzzy and inviting space all the time. The Panel was designed to ‘embed residents’ voices in the change we need to see’. The group has met 5 times now and created an action plan that will be signed off in January, it has been an interesting, stimulating and hopefully fruitful exercise- we will keep you posted on the outcomes!

Five SIB members went to Birmingham for the annual SIGBI Conference and enjoyed meeting 400 like-minded women. The lectures on Friday were stimulating and the workshops on Saturday interactive and enabled good discussion. We were inspired on the final day by the creative and impressive best practice awards and saw the transfer of presidency from Ruth Healey to Gillie O’Rourke before heading home with new ideas and new friendships. Another success!               If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.

Following a talk at a club meeting by Sue Warr at PramaLife, we decided to enter a team into a Quiz Night organised by the Rotary Club to raise funds for PramaLife and PramaCare, sister charities in our town that do excellent work providing support and care to the vulnerable. Five members and one ‘Soroptimister’ (willing husband) went along to the British Legion in Winton on October 17th to have a bit of fun. We found that the combined knowledge of the group was pretty impressive and we were in the lead at half time! We thought our chances were slim as we had to survive the sports round in the second half but were most pleasantly surprised to come second overall, each winning a box of chocolates for our efforts! It was a fun night out, the organisation was excellent, the fish and chip

As our ‘wish’ for 2025, SI Bournemouth decided to invest some energy in recruiting new members to extend the capacity of the club to help meet our aims to educate, empower and enable women and girls to reach their full potential. Happily, we have a steady stream of interest in the club generally, but we wanted to try for a step change. Therefore, we held two membership events on October 15th and 17th at the West Hants Tennis Club where we meet and sent out a flier to local women’s networks. We talked to several potentially interested women who were doing classes or playing tennis, giving out literature and taking contact details to follow up afterwards. We also emailed the Women’s Academic Network at Bournemouth University and the women’s group at University Hospital Dorset. To date we have had responses from six potential candidates, and

SI Bournemouth once again staffed a hydration station at the Bournemouth 10 km and half marathon run on Sunday October 12th 2025 to raise funds for the club. Many SI members, family and friends turned up to hand out bottles of water to the more than 5000 runners who were very appreciative. It was pleasing that our Ms GB finalist, Krystel Vida, was there with her sash on to support the effort with many runners congratulating her on her achievement. It was all a bit fast and furious when the main group of half marathon runners came through; there were lots of sore hands from having to take the tops from bottles at the rate of knots! However, it was another productive and overall satisfying day on the beautiful Bournemouth seafront. Thanks to everyone involved.     If you are interested in this and would

Our short-listed candidate for the Miss Great Britain pageant 2025, Krystel Vida, had quite a busy day on October 10th! As part of her campaign, she took advantage of the opportunity to be interviewed twice- firstly by the BBC in Southampton and secondly on Dorset Coast Radio in Bournemouth. Both interviews were a success; Krystel was able to articulate why she wanted to enter the competition and how participating has given her a chance to develop skills and a platform for the future.  The judges look for a competitor who embodies all that a modern woman should: strength, intelligence, ambition, integrity and compassion- all things that Krystel has in buckets load! We wish her well at the finals on October 17th; we will be with you in spirit.         If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist

The Women’s Independent Advisory group was set up by Dorset Police to gain independent advice around their approach to dealing with Violence Against Women and Girls.  The group meets quarterly, generally online, and SI Bournemouth currently has two regular members of this group, Liz Dominey and Bobbie White. However, there was a face-to-face meeting on October 9th hosted at the Vitality Stadium, home to AFC Bournemouth. It was a lively and engaged meeting and the feedback about the sharing of ideas and initiatives has been very positive. As our art exhibition as part of the UN’s ’16 days of activism against gender-based violence’ is approaching, this was a timely opportunity to meet with others committed to reducing violence and abuse. . If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email