Being a Soroptimist is about making a difference to the lives of women and girls both here in the Bridgend area and in the wider world. We are involved in a wide variety of projects that seek to make a positive change in women’s lives and all our projects are linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – ending poverty, eradicating hunger, providing education and preserving the environment.
Alongside the service we undertake, fun and friendship are at the heart of all Bridgend Soroptimists. Here is a quick overview of the projects we have been involved with in the last year and that are highlighted on our Christmas Tree. If you’d like to find out more, explore our website and then click here or contact our secretary, Rayner, at raynerjrees@gmail.com or meesage us on our Facebook page. Don’t forget to follow our Facebook too to keep up with all our latest news.
SPLICE Child and Family Project
SPLICE helps with play sessions and parenting coaching, a warm space and hot drinks in the cold weather, provision of essentials such as nappies and baby formula and fresh vegetables which are donated to them to be passed on to families who need them.
We have had fundraising activities throughout the year and have also given practical support to SPLICE by helping to create the garden area.
Llamau is the provider for Women’s Refuge in Bridgend. Bridgend Soroptimists have a long association with the Refuge and provide a range of practical support, including:
– providing toiletries, kitchen essentials, china, bed linen and tea towels on an ongoing basis
– providing Selection Boxes and Easter Eggs for the children in the refuge at Christmas and Easter
– providing slow cookers, recipes and recipe bags
– running workshop sessions for the ladies to build confidence, increase skills and give them opportunities to meet others. Sessions include crafts, basic cookery and confidence building.
Brownies Talent Competition
SI Bridgend sponsors this competition to support young girls, encouraging them to develop their talents, take part in a competition and increase their confidence.
Running every 2 years since 2013, the competition enables us to work in partnership with local Girlguiding (creating awareness at Girlguiding Cymru level) and to strengthen our links with the organisation. We also raise awareness of Soroptimist International and SI Bridgend in particular.
We were delighted that this project won the Soroptimist International Wales South Regional Best Practice Award for 2025 and was featured at the Soroptimist Federation Conference in Birmingham in October where we were able to share our experiences and encourage others to undertake similar projects in their areas.
Educating Girls in Cape Verde
The club continues to support the education of two girls in Cape Verde. This means the girls are able to stay in secondary school and complete their exams enhancing their future employment opportunities.
Tea with Friends
Bridgend Soroptimists continue to provide bi-monthly afternoon teas for elderly local residents who live on their own to help alleviate loneliness and social isolation. Our guests enjoy these gatherings which means they can get out, meet friends and enjoy the companionship of their peers. We were delighted that this project was recognised by Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland in the 2025 Best Practice Awards.
Y Bont Special School
Alongside financial support, Bridgend Soroptimists undertake fundraising activities to enable infants with additional needs to access the care offered by Y Bont.
Empowering women and girls in Nepal
Bridgend Soroptimists continue to support Pipal Tree, which works to improve the education and skills of the most vulnerable women and girls in Nepal. The charity provides tailoring workshops and silver jewellery workshops which give the girls skills to build sustainable micro-businesses and, in turn, to support their families and local communities.
This year, 14 girls and women from Sarlahi District in rural south Nepal, completed their six months’ training in basic tailoring, organised by Lily’s Leaves. The girls have left the course with their own sewing machine as a gift and will be supported with start-up grants and loans towards setting up in business, if they so wish.
Smalls for All
One again this year, Bridgend Soroptimists and friends collected over one hundred gently worn and new bras for the charity Smalls for All. This charity works across the UK collecting and distributing items to women and girls in Africa and the UK.
Information Booklet for victims of Domestic Abuse in South Wales
Following the Soroptimist review of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in South Wales (a project undertaken across the region of Wales South), Bridgend Soroptimists together with the other Soroptimist clubs in South Wales are involved in putting a booklet to help victims of domestic abuse. The information booklet is due to be launched on International Women’s Day, March 2026.
16 Days of Activism to End Online Violence Against All Women and Girls
The club used social media and local displays to promote the campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which started on 25 November and runs through to 10 December. This year, Soroptimists are focusing on ending digital violence and creating safety online. The campaign focuses on educating and raising awareness, sharing vital facts, prevention strategies, and resources to increase understanding and knowledge of how we can all play our part in staying safe online.
As part of our awareness campaign, we have lit up St David’s church in Laleston and Llantrisant church in orange, and had displays in Cowbridge Library, Bridgend County Council offices and Bridgend Leisure Centre, featuring the Orange Wreaths.