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Programme Action Report 2024-2025

Programme Action is at the heart of our organisation. It is the reason why many of us joined and became Soroptimists – to make a difference to the lives of women and girls.

Our thanks to all members who have helped to make this another successful year for SI Bridgend. Whilst not everyone’s name is mentioned in this report, everyone has played an important role in our success this year. It has been good to see our new members getting involved and making an active contribution to our projects.

Details of our projects are regularly reported to SIGBI on Programme Focus Report Forms. This enables our voluntary work to be recognised and helps to sustain our (SIGBI and SI) Consultative Status at the United Nations, giving us the opportunity to influence the work within the UN in support of women and girls.

The following is a quick snapshot of the projects we have undertaken in the past year.

ONGOING PROJECTS

Supporting women survivors of domestic abuse – through Llamau and Women’s Refuge in Bridgend.
SI Bridgend continues to work closely with Llamau providing support to the women survivors of domestic abuse in the local area. The craft group, essential cookery, confidence building and pamper sessions have been very well received and have all helped to alleviate isolation and build the confidence and self-esteem of those in the refuge.

  • Sue Jones and Sue Davies continue to run very successful monthly craft sessions which enable the ladies to connect with others in a safe, non-judgemental atmosphere;
  • Following the successful essential cookery sessions run by Judith Lewis, Joyce Chatterton and Margaret Anthony and the Club’s donation of 12 slow cookers to the refuge, we are continuing to explore the potential of creating ‘meal-in-a-bag’ packs;
  • Sharon Dixon has led confidence building sessions and together with Sue Newton has run a well-attended pamper session for the ladies – more sessions are eagerly awaited in the future;
  • Following a chance conversation between President Ruth and the Estee Lauder consultant, Angie Nilsen, in a local Boots branch, Angie ran a very successful pamper session for the ladies at the refuge. The ladies also received pamper packages and hygiene bags packed with items purchased through personal donations from the staff in Boots and other local stores. Further items, including clothes, were also donated by staff in the Next store. It is hoped that this is the start of a very productive partnership with Angie and her colleagues.

Members continue to provide emergency toiletries to the refuge and ensure stocks are maintained throughout the year. We also donate a wide range of household items, bed linen, towels, china, clothing and toys to Llamau for the ladies and their children. Thank you to members and family and friends for collecting these items and to Sharon Dixon for delivering them on a very regular basis.

At Christmas , over 50 Selection boxes were given to children in the refuge, together with pamper bags for the ladies. At Easter, 52 Easter eggs were donated. We thank Liam Dixon for his kind donation which enabled us to extend the number of gifts we provide.

Empowering women and girls in Nepal – through Pipal Tree and Lily’s Leaves
Our donations to Pipal Tree in Nepal enable the most vulnerable young women in the poorest areas of Nepal to gain skills and access training opportunities. This year our donations were match funded, doubling the value and increasing our impact. Direct donations from the Club were 2 x £200 plus a further donation of £250 made by Rayner in the name of SI Bridgend through the sale of jewellery made by Lily’s Leaves and mandalas and other craft items. Our thanks go to Rayner Rees for her ongoing involvement and enthusiasm for the project and for keeping us up to date with developments. Our donations have had a direct impact in two areas.

In August, the first 14 girls graduated from the six months’ training in basic tailoring organised by Lily’s Leaves. This is the first course to be run in rural south Nepal rather than Kathmandu. All graduates leave the course with their own sewing machine as a gift and are supported with start-up grants and loans towards setting up in business.

The second area we have supported is the education of nine girls in Madhesh Province, south Nepal through educational bursaries that will allow them to go to college and improve their chances of finding gainful employment or of entering further education. All of these girls live in flimsy huts in this rural part of south Nepal, their parents are impoverished day labourers and some like 16-year-old Binita have disabilities – she was born with one eye. Because of the stigma associated with disability and poverty in Nepalese culture, these girls have little chance of progressing without these bursaries, which assist not only the girls but also their families and their local communities.

Educate a Girl – Cape Verde Education Project
We continue to support the education of girls in Cape Verde enabling them to continue their secondary education and improve their future prospects. Over the years, Bridgend Soroptimists have supported 11 girls in this way. One of the two girls we currently support graduated this year and the second, Elaine, still has 12 months in secondary school. We were delighted to have recently received a very moving letter from Elaine thanking us and explaining how helpful our support has been. Whilst the future of this project is under discussion, SI Bridgend will continue to support Elaine until she finishes her secondary education.

Friends Teas
Steered most ably by Sharon with support from Joyce, a core group of members (Sharon, Joyce, Rayner, Lesley, Cherry, Sue D., Inez, Joy and Sue B.) have continued to host and provide teas to elderly friends every two months throughout the year. Six afternoon teas have been hosted this year as well as a summer outing to Southerndown Golf Club and a special Christmas event with a small gift for each guest. Five or six guests have attended each event, and the afternoons are very well received, bringing people together and helping to alleviate the isolation of living alone.

In addition, to the teas for external guests, the group takes care of our older Soroptimists and has hosted gatherings for them to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
Our heartfelt thanks are extended to all members who act as drivers, hosts and cake-makers. Sharon is stepping back from organising this project for the coming year and we thank Sue Davies and Inez Fulgoni for taking on the role with Rayner’s assistance.

Report on Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – Regional project for SI Wales South
Andrea Harries and Judith Lewis were involved in this regional project, initially as observers at local courts and later, along with Helen Murdoch, in developing and publicising the resulting report ‘A Review of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in South Wales – Room for Improvement’ . The project aims to show how women are treated in the criminal justice system and to ensure that Government recommendations are implemented. The report was launched in November 2024 and is available on the club and region websites. It has been circulated widely to individuals and organisations, including the judiciary and official authorities. This has resulted in ongoing meetings to improve the way women are treated in the courts.

Following on the response to the report, the region has extended the project to compile and publish an information booklet which provides signposting, information and support to women fleeing domestic abuse in South Wales. A number of Bridgend members are getting involved in this as the project develops.

Brownie’s got Talent competition 2025
Bridgend Soroptimists have sponsored this competition in partnership with local Girlguiding since 2013. The 2025 competition is the sixth event and aims to support young girls locally, encouraging them to develop their talents by taking part in a competition and increase their confidence.

This year five Brownie units from Porthcawl, Bridgend, Kenfig Hill and Maesteg took part, involving around 100 girls aged 7 to 10 years. Unit heats were held, followed by two Division heats and then a Grand Final. Each heat had a panel of judges including a Bridgend Soroptimist, a representative from Girlguiding and an independent judge.

All competitions were enthusiastically taken up by units and generated a great deal of excitement. Performances included singers, dancers and instrumentalists, as well as gymnasts, magicians, recitations and actors. All participants received a Certificate to mark their participation and also gained their Brownie Performing badge. The finalists each received a trophy, and the overall winner received the shield which will be engraved with her name. The winner, Rose from Newton Brownies, was invited to perform at SI Bridgend’s Presentation Night and, to the delight of members, opened the evening with her singing.

Our thanks to Rayner Rees, Debbie Hiley and Ruth Davies-Kemp for judging in the early rounds and to Sue Newton and Sharon Dixon, High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan 2025-2026, for judging in the final, as well as to the Soroptimists who supported the heats and the final. The competition created very positive awareness of Soroptimist International in the local community. It has also reinforced our partnership with Girlguiding, and we particularly thank Julie Thomas, County Commissioner for Central Glamorgan, and Annette Stoneham, a stalwart organiser since the first competition, for their support.

SIGBI 90 for 90 – Smalls for All collection
Clubs were asked to support SIGBI President Ruth Healey who challenged Club to do “90 Things” during the year to celebrate 90 years of SIGBI. As part of the SIGBI ‘90 for 90’ activities, SI Bridgend aimed to collect 90 bras to donate to Smalls for All. We actually collected 191 lightly used or new bras and over 100 pairs of brand-new knickers! These have been received by Smalls for All and have been distributed to women in need in Africa and the UK – because dignity matters. This project generated some excellent local publicity both online and in print.

Helping to tackle homelessness in Bridgend – President’s Charity: Emmaus South Wales
President Ruth’s theme for her year is ‘Homelessness, the Crisis on our Doorstep’ and she has chosen to support Emmaus South Wales, a homelessness charity based in Bridgend. Emmaus supports people to work their way out of homelessness, helping people to live and work as part of the Emmaus community. Their ethos is that “we are all responsible together, responsible for ourselves, and responsible for one another, and herein lies the greatness of being human.”

As well as hearing from those who run the charity, the club has also been visited by one of the companions, a beneficiary of the charity. Dean gave a very moving account of how Emmaus has helped him turn his life around.

A donation of £2,400 was presented to Emmaus in January – the money being raised from our Grand Raffle during the autumn. Julie Raikes, Chair of Trustees at Emmaus South Wales, thanked Bridgend Soroptimists and reported at the Presentation Night that the money had enabled the beneficiaries to extend their social activities, all chosen through their monthly vote. She said, “This really has made a big difference and helped the companions build bridges and enjoy time together socially.”

In addition to this financial donation, members provided Christmas cards, chocolates and small Christmas gifts for the Emmaus companions – often this was the only gift they had received for many years.

RAISING AWARENESS

Orange Cafes
Members have been involved in hosting Orange Cafes at various locations across the area throughout the year. As well as being a social gathering, these events have provided a platform to highlight the issue of violence against women – assisted by the visual impact of members wearing an orange garment or displaying an orange shoe and poster . All members have been given an orange button badge ‘Soroptimists say NO to Violence Against Women’ to wear to raise awareness. The events are quietly generating local interest and plans are in play to develop them further.

Orange Wreaths for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (25th Nov to 10th Dec)
The club gave a donation of £20 for 3 wreaths made of the orange flowers (knitted, crocheted or fabric and made by local Soroptimists including some Bridgend members) originally displayed in Llandaff Cathedral in 2022. The wreaths were displayed in several locations during the 16 days of activism along with a card explaining their significance and that of the 2 purple flowers signifying the 2 women killed through domestic violence every week. One wreath was displayed at the Heronston Hotel in the reception area; another in the Princess of Wales hospital, thank you to Christine; and a third at Bridgend Leisure Centre, thank you to Joyce. Also Eileen organised a table-top display in Cowbridge Library during October which included information about Bridgend Soroptimists plus an Orange Wreath, thank you Eileen.
Lesley Davies represented the Club at the BAWSO Light a Candle event in Llandaff Cathedral on 25th Thank you, Lesley.
Helen Murdoch posted on the Club Facebook page every day during the 16 Days of Activism generating increased interaction and online conversations.

Bridgend Christmas Tree Festival
President Ruth and Margaret Anthony decorated a Christmas Tree at Nolton Church as part of the Bridgend Christmas Tree Festival. Included in the decorations were the Christmas stars made by members at a Club craft evening and a poster with Soroptimist information and a QR code linking to the club website for further details. A raffle prize was donated, with all monies raised going to SPLICE Family and Child Project.

To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, members gathered for a walk at Parc Slip organised by Joyce Chatterton, followed by lunch.

HANDS-ON SUPPORT

  1. Members continue to knit or crochet blankets for dementia patients at Glanrhyd Hospital. We have provided 8 blankets have been supplied which have been well received by the patients.
  2. Members continue to collect and recycle a range of items, including stamps, mobile phones, jewellery and books – benefitting a range of charities. The list of items that can be recycled is continually updated and members ensure the information is publicised as widely as possible. Many of the items, particularly jewellery, is taken to regional meetings where a member of SI Milford Haven, Erene Grieve, manages the project. To date members of SI Wales South have raised £45,000 from donations of unwanted items.

DONATING

  1. Following an approach from two local members of Girlguiding Cymru, the club gave them £150 each to support their international volunteering in the Girlguiding World Centre (Sangam) in Pune, India. Liz Dunford was the leader for the Girlguiding Cymru group and Molly Jones a young adult participant. Whilst in India they participated in a Community Action Project working with one of Sangam’s Community Partner Organisations. We look forward to hearing more about their adventures in the near future.
  2. SI Bridgend continues to support the local Samaritans with an annual donation of £250.
  3. SI Bridgend continues to support Y Bont Special School in Bridgend with a financial donation of £300 to enable infants with additional needs to access their care. Sue Davies has ongoing contact and will keep us informed of further opportunities to get more involved as they arise.
  4. A donation of £100 was given to Welsh Women’s Aid to support their work with women’s aid projects.
  5. The club has supported SIGBI charities again this year with a donation of £250 to the Diamond Education Grant and £250 to the Benevolent Fund.
  6. The club donated £50 to the Little Princess Trust after the granddaughter of one of our members donated her hair to make a wig for child cancer sufferers.
  7. Following a very interesting talk about the Isooko Women’s Co-operative in Rusizi in Rwanda, Bridgend members raised £270 buying items made by the women in Rwanda. This was added to the Club donation of £50 to the project. Further discussions are underway with project volunteer Mary Watkins to explore how the Club can become more involved in this project.

FUND RAISING

Alongside member’s charity donations and receipts from raffles at Club meetings, there have been a number of other fundraising activities this year.

Sue Newton is continuing to sell the collectable prints donated by Carys Brown’s daughter Sue. Profits from the sale of the prints are supporting our Programme Action projects.President Ruth hosted a Garden Party at her home. Members enjoyed a very convivial afternoon and raised over £350 in support of Programme Action projects.

All members were involved in organising the major fund-raising activity of a Grand Raffle during the autumn – either donating prizes themselves, persuading local businesses to donate items as prizes or selling raffle tickets. The significant number of generous prizes and excellent ticket sales resulted in us raising £2,400 which was donated to Emmaus South Wales.

Thank-you again to all members for all your enthusiasm, innovative ideas and active participation this year to enable us to make a difference to the lives of so many women and girls.

Helen Murdoch, Programme Action Officer
30th April 2025