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Conference fun, friends and fascinating!

Conference fun, friends and fascinating!

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  Six Bridgend Soroptimists and one Soroptimister attended the 84th Federation Conference held in Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre. The theme of the conference was Empower Today, Enable Tomorrow and it was packed with fantastic content. Keynote speakers included Terry Waite CBE who had us mesmerised with his calm yet powerful address, adventurer Sally Kettle who told us about rowing across the Atlantic with her mother and Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, who had us all on the edge of our seats as he regaled us with his incredible lifetime of adventures. Our other speakers, including Emily Rose Yates, Ellie Bird, Dt Ann-Marie Wilson and Professor Helen Pankhurst informed, entertained and engaged us, as did the updates on a wide range of Soroptimist projects. The General Meeting heralded the business of the Federation and the selection of the new Federation Project was exciting and daunting as

Thank you from SI Swansea

Thank you from SI Swansea

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SI Bridgend received a Thank you card from President Angela Ball, SI Swansea, for the gift of a candle and candle holder for their 85th anniversary. President Angela says they will light the candle at their Action meetings – A candle of Hope, a candle of Light, A candle of Peace. SI Swansea is SI Bridgend’s mother club and was responsible for helping Bridgend open a Soroptimist club in 1947.

Stop the Trafficking

Stop the Trafficking

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Bridgend Soroptimists hosted a breakfast at the home of one of their members, Carys Brown on 23rd October. The event was to fundraise for the Purple Teardrop campaign which promotes human rights with a key focus on the infringement of human rights suffered by the victims of people trafficking. Carys explains, “I am a keen supporter of the Purple Teardrop campaign which was started by Soroptimist International of Poole following all the work Soroptimists were doing at the outset of our campaign against human trafficking in 2008. This breakfast which also marks Anti-Slavery Day on 18th October, is to raise awareness about the plight of women and children who are trafficked and to help us recognise the signs and notice suspected human trafficking activity. Sadly it is happening everywhere and it is important that we are more aware and know what to do if we

Soroptimists donate bench to Bridgend hospital

Soroptimists donate bench to Bridgend hospital

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Bridgend Soroptimists have donated a bench to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend to mark the 70th anniversary of the club’s charter date. To coincide with the 70th anniversary of the NHS, Soroptimist International of Bridgend decided to mark the Club’s 70th anniversary by giving something back to their local hospital. The club fundraises throughout the year to support local, national and international charities, but donated the bench personally to commemorate 70 years in Bridgend and to benefit local people. Club President Helen Murdoch said, “We wanted to do something special for our anniversary, so we thought what better way than to show our gratitude for the care and support that our local hospital provides to the community. We hope the bench will provide welcome relief and comfort for less mobile visitors and patients in the main corridor at the hospital.” President Helen and members

Soroptimists support domestic abuse charity

Soroptimists support domestic abuse charity

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We were delighted to welcome Katie Davies as our guest speaker to the supper meeting on 26th September. Katie is the Regional Manager for Calan DVS which merged with Bridgend Women’s Aid in 2015. Katie gave a most interesting overview of the work currently being undertaken in Bridgend and across South Wales to support the victims of domestic abuse. Calan DVS merged with Bridgend Women’s Aid in 2015 taking on the services and support previously provided by Women’s Aid. Katie explained that there has been a marked increase in the need year on year to help individuals – male and female – experiencing domestic violence. Since the merger they have created a working partnership with South Wales Police, Bridgend County Borough Council, Calan DVS’ Integrated Domestic Abuse Service and other agencies to deliver the best support to those in need. The team is based int

Charity cafe opens at prison

Charity cafe opens at prison

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  Visitors to Parc Prison near Bridgend will have a warm welcome thanks to a new café opened by charity volunteers. Barnardo’s Cymru has opened the café at the G4S-run HMP Parc which will be run by members of Bridgend Soroptimists. Both professional visitors and prisoners’ relatives, some of whom have travelled long distances, will be able to get hot and cold drinks and snacks while they wait to enter the prison. Around 400 visitors a day pass through the Susan Ellis Visitor Centre which has been run by the children’s charity Barnardo’s Cymru on behalf of G4S for some time. The Barnardo’s team has an important role to play alongside prison staff in ensuring families have the right documents to enter the prison for a visit. Families have made positive comments about the experience of working with Barnardo’s staff who are easily identifiable in

smarties tube fundraising
Soroptimists swap Smarties for support

Soroptimists swap Smarties for support

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When President Helen’s friend, Siobhan, suffered major brain trauma as a result of a winter sport’s accident, she was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where she received the best care possible. Siobhan, an Intelligence Officer in the RAF, was representing the RAF in the Tri-Services Winter Games and competing in the luge when the accident happened. Siobhan’s parents, who live in Porthcawl, rushed to be at her bedside and as well as dealing with the shock and trauma of the accident and Siobhan’s condition, had to find somewhere to stay in Birmingham as close to the hospital as possible. Siobhan’s parents weren’t aware that they could stay in Fisher House, the home away from home for military patients and their families, which has provided free accommodation for forces families since 2013. Helen explains, “Beryl and Jake, Siobhan’s parents, were amazed and incredibly grateful when

Bridgend Soroptimist have nothing to “wine” about!

Bridgend Soroptimist have nothing to “wine” about!

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Bridgend Soroptimists visited Glyndwr Vineyard in Llanblethian and enjoyed a delightful evening in glorious sunshine. The vineyard is the oldest and largest established vineyard in Wales, established in 1979. Members were given a comprehensive presentation of the wine-making production process and enjoyed sampling the differnet varieties on offer. A superb home-cooked supper followed with yet more sampling and a tour of the vineyard which included meeting the pet llamas. The visit was the last meeting before the summer recess and ended the term on a perfect note.  

Giving Women a Voice

Giving Women a Voice

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Following up on an interesting and enjoyable evening a few weeks ago finding out about how women campaigned to have the vote, several members of SI Bridgend joined Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon and other local organisations to march as part of Porthcawl Carnival. Some members wore period costume, whilst others donned green, white and violet sashes, to lead the carnival as part of the 100 women marching for the vote. They were followed by a carnival float created by Porthcawl Museum celebrating the achievements of women in the last 100 years and which included Welsh broadcaster Roy Noble as Lloyd George.

Fundraising in the sunshine

Fundraising in the sunshine

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Members of Bridgend Soroptimists once again supported the English Speaking Union and basked in the sunshine at Fonmon Castle at the ESU traditional summer garden party. As well as raising money for Soroptimist Charities through a Tombola, the event is an excellent way to raise awareness of the service undertaken by the Club. Soroptimist values align well witht eh English Speaking Union which focuses attention on raising levels of education, particularly in areas of need.