3SI BRIDGEND PROGRAMME ACTION REPORT 2015 – 2016
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN/ SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Anti-Slavery Coffee morning with Speakers
SI Bridgend invited Soroptimists from the region and local people from various groups to a morning devoted to raising awareness of Anti-Slavery/trafficking. There were 3 excellent speakers; Nicki Evans from the Cardiff Partnership Board talking on “Human Exploitation….surely not in Wales?” From her personal experiences which she related to us, ’Yes – in Wales too” is her answer.
After coffee we heard from Det. Supt. Paul Griffiths, Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Imperial. “Investigating Slavery: brief overview of Operation Imperial” – the investigation, arrest and charging of individuals near Newport who were found to have been holding a man in appalling conditions and forcing him to work on their farm for many years. Other cases of forced labour in the South Wales area also being investigated. Finally, Stephen Chapman, Anti-Slavery Co-ordinator for the Welsh Government, brought us up to date with the work being carried out by many agencies, including Soroptimists, across South Wales. The film ‘Caught in Traffick” was shown at the end of Stephen’s session.
The morning had over 70 people attending and was deemed to be a success by all who were there. The First Minister for Wales, Rt Hon Carwen Jones AM was able to attend the second half of the meeting and spoke of his appreciation and support for all the work being done by Soroptimists in being involved in Anti-Slavery/trafficking.
All speakers stressed how important it is for everyone to be vigilant and if they see or hear anything they are suspicious of relating to any form of trafficking to report it to appropriate bodies on the numbers given on anti-trafficking brochures or on 101.
TOILET TWINNING
In this last week we have sent money from the charity account to twin a toilet block in Pakistan. Hopefully we can support this Regional Charity again later in the year. We will know more about where our toilet block is being built when the certificate arrives.
EDUCATION
- Some members continue to visit a local Primary School once a week in term time to listen to children reading. This is organised and much appreciated by the Headteacher Christina Bach, one of our members.
- A monetary Science Award (left in Trust by the late Dorothy Worthing) is given annually to 2 pupils at a local school who are going to pursue a career in science when they leave.
- The Club supports financially, the education of a teenage girl in the Cape Verde Islands through the SI Cardiff Cape Verde project. Other members also support girls there. The Club is sent a photograph and an update on the girl’s progress every year by Gill Delgado of SI Cardiff.
DIAMOND EDUCATION GRANT
Members continued to collect jewellery and take them to Regional meetings for recycling for this SIGBI Charity.
Members still collect other items for recycling, used ink cartridges,CDs DVDs etc.and the money is saved in the SIWSHEHT charity account for future projects.
WORK WITH PARTNERS AND GOVERNMENT
BROWNIES GOT TALENT
We have worked with the GIRLGUIDING CYMRU again this year to host a ‘Brownies Have Talent’ competition for all the Brownie packs in our area.
CONTACT THE ELDERLY – Some members continue to provide ‘Teas for the Elderly’ on Sundays once every 2 months at members’ homes. Members also provide transport and have a summer visit with tea out as well as attending Contact the Elderly teas.
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT’S APPEAL – We raised money on International Night last December when we had supper at Marjorie Page’s home – the funds went to the International President’s Nepal Project.
KNITTING PROJECT
Members of SI Bridgend are knitting (and crocheting) squares to make baby blankets for the charity ‘Life for African Mothers’, a maternal health charity aiming to make birth safer in sub Saharan Africa,
Members were moved to take action after Angela Gorman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the charity, spoke at a Club meeting. Club President Bethan said, “Angela was an inspirational speaker and members were very moved by the work the charity does. This is one way we can all get involved and make a difference.
To date there are over 50 blankets ready to be given to Angela.
THE PRESIDENT’S PROJECT this year has been Bernardo’s in Bridgend. The local coordinator spoke to us at the beginning of the Presidential year and since then club has been fund raising through raffles and events.
WOMEN’S AID
Bridgend Women’s Aid is now run by Neath and Port Talbot Community Services and is known as Calan DVS. Members are no longer Trustees but Lily still keeps in touch with the Bridgend Office and this year, as well as delivering the usual toiletries, has collected sugar, towels and sheets. She will keep collecting from us and will tell us if there are other items we can contribute.
SAMARITANS
A cheque is sent each year from the Charity Account to support this organisation.
Carys Brown
Programme Action Officer, SI Bridgend