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Seaside, sunshine and Soroptimist friends

Seaside, sunshine and Soroptimist friends

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Members of Soroptimist International Bridgend hosted a summer outing to Southerndown Golf Club for a small group of our elderly friends. The outing was part of the Club’s Tea with Friends programme which offers older people who are often isolated an afternoon out with contact and companionship. The project started some 15 years ago when Club members became aware of the issue of loneliness amongst elderly people living in the local area. These people lived alone, didn’t drive and often had mobility or other significant health issues which meant that their opportunities for companionship and social interaction were extremely limited. Bridgend Soroptimist, Joyce Chatterton explains, “Through a very simple activity – hosting an afternoon tea – we were able, in a small way,  to address this often overlooked issue. We host a tea in one of our members’ homes every couple of months and invite

Hands-on support for local charity

Hands-on support for local charity

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On 25th June 2025 Bridgend Soroptimists held their monthly Supper/Speaker meeting at the Heronston Hotel Bridgend. They were joined by representatives of SPLICE – the club’s chosen charity for the coming year. SPLICE is an acronym of Social , Physical, Linguistic, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional development which are all  encompassed in the activities of the charity, which is based in Pyle and Kenfig.  Originally opened in 2005, SPLICE offers a family centred service which supports parents/carers to play and learn with their children, helping to develop their confidence and raise their self-esteem. Also on offer is a Baby Bank  providing baby essentials for those struggling financially.  In addition to the indoor activities an outside space is currently being developed to introduce  families to growing  simple crops and flowers. The Soroptimists are giving “hands on” assistance creating this  much welcomed outside space  and  providing enjoyable sessions. Linda who is the Manager and Tracy who organises

Children inspired by High Sheriff’s visit

Children inspired by High Sheriff’s visit

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Mount Stuart Primary School in Cardiff Bay were very lucky and privileged to have a visit from the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan, Sharon Dixon, last week. Sharon had the kind permission of Janet Davies, High Sheriff of South Glamorgan to undertake this visit as the school is not in Mid Glamorgan. The visit was organised between two Bridgend Soroptimists – Donna Brocklehust, Assistant Head Teacher at Mount Stuart Primary, and Sharon Dixon, High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan for 2025-2026. As Sharon says, “I was delighted to meet an incredibly smart and interested group of young people and able to share my story and my heritage. The children asked lots of interesting questions, especially about my love of hats. Thank you for the invitation Donna.” Donna says, “Sharon talked to the children about the role of High Sheriff and how she was honoured to take

A new President for Bridgend Soroptimists

A new President for Bridgend Soroptimists

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Bridgend Soroptimists held their AGM at the Heronston Hotel on 30th April and welcomed their new President, Sue Newton. Unfortunately outgoing president Ruth Kemp-Davies was unable to attend the meeting. President Sue expressed her thanks to Ruth for all the work she has done to make the last year so successful. Highlights have included the organisation Ruth has brought to the role, including running very effective Club and Executive meetings and the Summer garden party Ruth hosted at her home. Ruth’s chosen President’s Charity was Emmaus South Wales. She had really good engagement with the team there and we all enjoyed an inspirational talk from one of their companions, who had turned his life around as a result of the support Emmaus provided to him. Ruth has been professional and dignified throughout the year and is a terrific representative for Soroptimism and for us in Soroptimist

A Pampering Pick-me-up

A Pampering Pick-me-up

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Living in a women’s refuge can be a daunting experience. Often the women question if they’ve done the right thing, have low self-esteem, feel isolated, anxious, maybe even angry. Bridgend Soroptimists have worked closely with the women’s refuge in Bridgend for many years. As well as providing practical support with a constant flow of toiletries, household items and other essentials, we have been concerned for the wellbeing of the residents. Rather than imposing our ideas on the ladies, a number of members went along to meet them to find out what they wanted and to chat about ways in which we could help. This resulted in us setting up regular crafting afternoons, running simple cookery sessions and hosting pamper sessions – all designed to boost confidence, enhance self-esteem and enable the ladies to connect with other people in a safe, non-judgemental atmosphere. This developed further

Building confidence as Brownies show they’ve got talent!

Building confidence as Brownies show they’ve got talent!

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Since the early part of this year Brownies across Bridgend and Porthcawl have been honing their performance skills to take part in a Brownies Got Talent competition. The competition which is sponsored by Bridgend Soroptimists involved almost 100 Brownies from 5 different Brownie groups in Newton, Kenfig Hill, Llangynwyd, Coity and Litchard. Each of the girls, aged between 7 and 10 years old, performed in front of an audience and the acts included singing and dancing, playing an instrument, gymnastics, skipping, reciting poetry and even doing magic! Every participant gained their Brownie Performing badge and also received a Brownies Got Talent certificate.     Eight girls won through the unit and division heats to take part in the Grand Final and competed for the Brownies Got Talent trophy in front of an audience of around 60 people. The three ladies set the difficult task of

Soroptimists learn about Rwandan project

Soroptimists learn about Rwandan project

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At our March meeting, Bridgend Soroptimists welcomed VSO volunteer Mary Watkins to talk about her life as a volunteer in Rwanda. Mary, a teacher, first visited Rusizi in Rwanda with her husband in 2013 for a one-year adventure. They fell in love with the country, which they compared to Wales for its scenery, and set about helping to develop educational support for children with special needs. Since that first experience in the country, they have continued to travel back regularly becoming involved with training student teachers, as well as pupils in the 6th Form college. Fundraising has enabled the establishment of suitable classrooms, furniture and books and through Mary’s ingenuity, she had been able to teach students to recycle local items to make resources for the local schools. Mary also works with the Isooko Women’s Cooperative. The cooperative started when a Soroptimist club in Gwent

Supporting the Little Princess Trust

Supporting the Little Princess Trust

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Bridgend Soroptimists were delighted to support one of their own with a donation of £50 to the Little Princess Trust. Club secretary Margaret Anthony’s granddaughter Verity cut her long hair off to donate to the Little Princess Trust. The Trust uses donated hair to make wigs for children and young people, primarily girls, who have lost their hair through cancer or other illnesses. Quite a number of members added to the donation to support Verity and this excellent cause. Well done, Verity! Click here for more information about Little Princess Trust.

Bridgend Soroptimists raise £2,400 for Emmaus South Wales

Bridgend Soroptimists raise £2,400 for Emmaus South Wales

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Last week staff and trustees were invited along to Bridgend Soroptimists New Year dinner, where President Ruth Davies-Kemp, presented Emmaus South Wales a cheque for £2,400 following a successful fundraising raffle. The raffle was drawn at our Christmas meeting on 11th December and featured some fantastic prizes. Some examples include a £100 jewellery voucher from D & M Davies Jewellers, a luxury Christmas hamper, and a £50 John Lewis voucher donated by Qualia Law. Bridgend Soroptimists decided to organise the raffle after a visit from Chair of Trustees, Julie Raikes, and Companion Dean last year. Julie and Dean visited a couple of club meetings and spoke to the Soroptimists about the work Emmaus South Wales do to support people overcoming homelessness and social exclusion. Julie Raikes, Chair of Trustees at Emmaus South Wales said, “On behalf of everyone at Emmaus South Wales, we would like