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Anti-Trafficking Survey

Anti-Trafficking Survey

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This month members of SI Bridgend joined Soroptimists from across the UK to take part in the UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) survey on Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking. Members completed the questionnaires themselves and also handed them out to family and friends, as well as distributing them widely to organisations including WI, Girlguiding Cymru, Girlguiding Central Glamorgan and young people in schools across the Bridgend Borough. Questionnaires were then collated and returned to UKPAC. Initial findings from the survey will be presented at the SIGBI 2018 Conference in Cardiff and will be posted on the SIGBI website. This information will be used to inform future Soroptimist projects on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

First Prize for Service Project

First Prize for Service Project

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There was great excitement when SI Bridgend were awarded first prize for this year’s SI Wales South Regional Programme Action Award. The Award recognises the work undertaken by the Club on the project with Barnardos in the family centre at Parc Prison. The certificate was presented to Club members by Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM. Club Programme Action Officer, Carys Brown, accepted the Award and explained that the project had evolved out of an initial reading project with children of those in Parc Prison. It had extended to the Literacy Competition and we were awaiting the results of this 2017 competition. Carys said that we were looking forward to extending our involvement with Barnardos and looking at ways we could support them in the Family Centre at Parc Prison. First prize for PA Award for SI Bridgend. Congratulations to all involve

Soroptimist Sisters – President 2

Soroptimist Sisters – President 2

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Bridgend Soroptimists’ 70th anniversary year with a difference continues with the second of our three Presidents! President Frances Rees handed over the chain of office to Lily Laesser for her to start her 4 months as the Club’s President. As this is a special year for the Club, three of our long-serving members are sharing the Presidential chain. Lily, who was Club President in 2004-2005 is picking up the “Present” part of our “Past, Present and Future” theme and has an exciting programme planned, including the SIGBI Conference in Cardiff. We thank Frances for her service to the Club and wish Lily well for this next few months.

Thank-you from Save the Children

Thank-you from Save the Children

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Bridgend members were delighted to receive this ‘Thank You’ certificate from Anglesey ‘Save the Children’ for all the handbags, ties, scarves and belts donated by members and friends. The items were for sale on the Save the Children stand at the National Eisteddfod held this year on Angelsey. A hugely successful endeavour, they have raised £4500 and as money is still coming in they hope to reach £5000! A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated items.

Supporting with Sunshine and Smiles

Supporting with Sunshine and Smiles

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Once again members of the Bridgend Soroptimists joined the South Wales Branch of the English-Speaking Union for their annual summer garden party at Fonmon Castle. With rain a-plenty before and after the festivities, guests had every reason to bask in the beautiful castle gardens. The Soroptimists Tombola stall, filled with many enticing presents, drew many visitors, as well as the raffle, organised by Soroptimist and ESU member Anne Morgan. Funds raised will go towards the Clubs varied charity commitments. Another very successful and enjoyable event, with guests leaving in the knowledge that the proceeds from the event would be committed to the branch’s charitable activities, in particular, the promotion of public speaking with local primary and secondary schoolchildren.

70th Anniversary Celebration Lunch

70th Anniversary Celebration Lunch

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SI Bridgend celebrated its 70th Anniversary in grand style at an Anniversary Lunch at The Bear in Cowbridge. President Frances hosted the event which with members, guests and friends enjoying a convivial afternoon together. President Frances addressed our guests and gave a potted history of the Club’s activities over the last 70 years. The other speakers were SI Wales South Regional President, Bobbie Sheldrake, and Barbara Dixon, Programme Director of SIGBI. After the formal part of the lunch, guests were entertained with music from the Neath National Trust Choir, the Waterwheel Singers, joined by Sue Jones’s daughter, Rhiannon, who sang beautifully. President Frances then cut our celebration cake which everyone enjoyed.  

Bridgend Soroptimists become Dementia Friends

Bridgend Soroptimists become Dementia Friends

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In line with President Frances theme of caring for the elderly in our society, we were pleased to welcome Norma Morgan from the Alzheimer’s Society as our guest speaker. Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing society today. Someone develops the condition every three minutes and too many are facing it alone. Norma’s aim during her talk was to raise awareness of the condition and the needs of people living with dementia in the local area. Norma introduced us to the Dementia Friendly Communities Programme ‘Dementia Friends’. The programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way people think, act and talk about the condition. Members discovered how small things can make a big difference. From being more patient in shop queues to telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to volunteering to

Midsummer Madness across the Region

Midsummer Madness across the Region

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President Frances, Rayner and Helen joined 70 other Soroptimists from across the region for SI Wales South Midsummer Madness – a day of fun, food and friendship. The Pavilion on Haverfordwest Showground was a lovely venue for this interesting and sometimes crazy day! Regional President Bobbie opened the day with an interactive session in which we were asked for ideas of how to celebrate the Region’s 80th anniversary which is coming up very soon. This was followed by an interesting talk from novelist Helen Carey who told us ‘How The Story Unfolds’ and her approach to writing 8 successful novels in the Lavender Road series. Then it was our turn to “be creative” and decorate a square of fabric as a living petition against human trafficking in the clothing industry. Our squares are part of the Global Blanket campaign – read more about it and

Supporting Girl’s Education in Cape Verde

Supporting Girl’s Education in Cape Verde

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Bridgend Soroptimists have supported girls’ education in Cape Verde for a number of years. The project was originally started by Jill Delgado, a member of SI Cardiff whose husband was a Cape Verdian, and SI Cardiff ran the project. The governance of the project has recently changed – Jill remains fully involved and committed and it has now become the Soroptimist Members’ Education Trust. All trustees are Soroptimists and a deed of variation has been signed on 15th March 2017 to formalise the changes. The Cape Verde project is financially sound and continues to effectively support the education of bright young girls to complete their education and enable them to go on and get higher education. Joyce Chatterton, a member of SI Bridgend, is one of the trustees and an avid supporter of the project. It was a great pleasure to welcome Enid Childs and Joan Payne,