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 call our secretary, Margaret, on 07791 989096 or mrg2anthony@gmail.com. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook too to keep up with all our latest news.
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.
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.
Friends Teas
Bridgend Soroptimists continue to provide bi-monthly afternoon teas for elderly local residents who live on their own. Our guests enjoy these gatherings which means they can get out, meet friends and enjoy the companionship of their peers.
Samaritans
Our annual donation to Bridgend Samaritans enables them to extend their services and support to vulnerable adults and children in the local area.
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.
Pipal Tree
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
During May, June and July, Bridgend Soroptimists and friends collected one hundred and ninety-one gently worn and new bras and over one hundred pairs of new knickers 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.
Review of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in South Wales
In November 2024, members of Bridgend Soroptimists joined other Soroptimists from across South Wales to undertake a review of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in South Wales (a project undertaken across the region of Wales South). The goal was to assess the effectiveness of current domestic abuse legislation and suggest improvements to better support victims. The final report has been circulated to significant influencers across the area and will form the focus for future lobbying and cooperation in 2025.
16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against 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 around the globe are unified under the theme “Prevention First”. The campaign focuses on educating and raising awareness, sharing vital facts, prevention strategies, and resources to increase understanding and knowledge of the work that is happening to prevent violence against women and girls. Our displays in Cowbridge Library, Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend and Bridgend Leisure Centre, featuring the Orange Wreaths, generated a great deal of interest.
Emmaus South Wales
Emmaus South Wales is the club’s chosen charity for the coming year. Emmaus is a homeless charity with a difference. With a presence around the world and 30 communities across the UK, Bridgend is the only one in Wales, alongside charity shops in Bridgend and Porthcawl.
Members have heard from a number of speakers from Emmaus, including one of the companions who spoke about his experiences of being homeless and the difference Emmaus has made to him.
With fundraising activities planned throughout the year ahead, we look forward to supporting the work Emmaus does for vulnerable homeless people as well as exploring how we can help to remove the stigma surrounding homelessness.
Soroptimist Support
Soroptimists in Bridgend have supported Federation projects throughout the year.
Diamond Education Grant – which funds female students to help with cost of courses and books and equipment
Benevolent Fund – which funds Soroptimists who are experiencing financial difficulties
Opening Doors to a Bright Future – the International President’s project which invests in women and girls’ education to break cycles of poverty and aid economic growth. The project is helping girls in Cambodia, Uganda, Georgia, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay and Malawi.