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.
Barnardo’s Visitors Centre, Parc Prison
Bridgend Soroptimists have supported Barnardo’s work with families at Parc Prison by helping in the snack bar and providing refreshments for visiting mothers and children. The club has also donated money to furnish the conservatory in the Visitors Centre which is used by organisations to give talks and advice to visiting families.
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.
Brownies Got Talent
SI Bridgend organises a Brownies Got Talent competition for Brownie groups in Bridgend and Porthcawl. The competition involved over 100 girls between 7 and 10 years of age and encouraged them to ‘have a go’, to demonstrate and develop their talents and to build their confidence.
Brave Bear Trust
Several members have knitted Brave Bears for this charity which uses the bears and related books to educate and inform children about the risks of exploitation and how to protect themselves and others.
Cruse Morgannwg
In partnership with Soroptimists in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, a regular donation to Cruse Morgannwg Bereavement Service enables the charity to extend the support offered to those affected by bereavement across South Wales.
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.
16 Days of Activism
The club used social media 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 “Wired for Change: Tech’s Impact on Gender-Based Abuse”. Wired for Change looks at the impact that technology has had in shaping gender-based abuse and violence; how it has been a force for bad but also how it has impacted the world positively.
BAWSO
BAWSO is our President’s charity for this year. BAWSO supports people throughout Wales from Black and Ethnic minority backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking and Prostitution.
Bridgend Carers Centre
Bridgend Soroptimists have supported Young Carers in Bridgend enabling them to enjoy some summer outings with their peers and for a short time to leave their caring responsibilities.
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.