Another busy year for Bridgend Soroptimists with a wide range of projects locally and globally.
Llamau is now the provider for Women’s Refuge in Bridgend. SI Bridgend has worked with Llamau to inquire what support is needed. Initially, a craft group, essential cookery and confidence building were highlighted. Sue Joes, Sue Davies and Anne Hughes have held a craft session monthly from July and this has proven to be a great success.
Judith led a team for essential cookery which was very well recived and it is hoped to develop this further. Find out more here.
In addition Sharon has held a confidence building session with more sessions planned in the future.
Selection boxes and Easter eggs were given to children in the refuge at Christmas and Easter. Emergency toiletries were provided at Christmas and members have continued to provide toiletries, kitchen essentials, towels, china, bed linen and tea towels. We were delighted to deliver unwanted Christmas decorations to the residents at Christmas.
Educating Girls in Cape Verde
The club continues to support the education of two girls in Cape Verde. Gil Delgado gave a talk to members updating us on the project and thanking us for our support over many years. Read more about this worthwhile project here.
Teas for the Elderly
Due to a number of changes at Re-engage, SI Bridgend members agreed to continue to provide teas independently for existing friends twice monthly. Joyce with support from a number of members arranged a Queen’s Jubilee Tea which raised £150, organised a summer outing and a Christmas party. Our elederly guests enjoy these gatherings which enable them to get out, meet friends and enjoy a convivial afternoon tea.
Barnardos Visitors Centre, Parc Prison
Eurwen and Inez have regularly visited Parc Prison to provide support for visitors in the snack bar.
Sadly as Barnardos have now relinquished any involvement in Parc Prison (the visitors centre is to be run by G4S), it is unlikely that the Club will continue involvement in the future. Further discussions are planned with Barnardos to explore other projects in which we can become involved.
Samaritans
Sue Davies attended Bridgend Samaritans AGM and was warmly welcomed. SI Bridgend continue to support the Samaritans enabling them to extend their services locvally.
Y Bont Special School
The Y Bont craft club, supported by a number of SI Bridgend members, has not reformed since COVID and, as the virus is still active in the area, we have not visited. We maintain our connections with Y Bont and continue our financial support to enable infants with additional needs to access their care.
Local Girl Guides and Brownies
The club once again organised a Brownies Got Talent competition involving Brownie groups in Bridgend and Porthcawl. Nine members of SI Bridgend acted as judges throughout the heats. President Gaynor and Jean Roderick (former County Commissioner) joined Donna Jacka, the Assistant County Commissioner for Girl Guiding Central Glamorgan as judges in the Gran Final which was won by Isabella Mein from Kenfig Hill Brownies. A full report of the project is available here.
Knitting and Crochet
Members have continued to knit and crochet blankets for older patients at the Princess of Wales Hospital.
Christine knitted Brave Bears and others continue to knit items for charities. Venetia made all the decorations for the Christmas tree for the Christmas tree festival in All Saints Church in Porthcawl.
Carys’s legacy
A series of collectable prints of the old stone bridge in Bridgend by renowned artist Paul Peter Piech has been gifted to SI Bridgend by Carys Brown’s daughter Sue. Club member Sue Newton has been selling the pictures across the area and will continue to do so for the forseeable future. Funds raised will be used to support Soroptimist projects close to Carys’s heart.
Cruse Morgannwg
President Gaynor and members of SI Bridgend were joined by members from SI Port Talbot, SI Neath and SI Swansea at a friendship lunch in support of the bereavement charity, Cruse Morgannwg.
This was the fourth event in the collaboration between the four clubs to support this worthwhile charity. The guest speaker was Claire Horrex, Community Fundraising and Engagement Manager for Cruse for South Wales and the South West. Read more here.
As this was SI Bridgend’s year to raise funds for this charity, a proportion of funds from our Charity Fashion Show will go to Cruse to support those affected by bereavement. For more about our very successful Fashion Show, click here.
Recycling
Members continue their green awareness by collecting a number of items for recycling. Sue Davies has produced a user-friendly list of items which can be recycled locally or through members at the Regional meeting. In addition, items such as stamps, mobile phones and cameras can be taken to the Marie Curie Shop in Brackla and plastics and crisp packets not collected kerbside can be recycled at the carrier bag recycling bin at local supermarkets.
Pipal Tree
The Club continues its support of Pipal Tree in Nepal, working to improve the education and skills of the most vulnerable women and girls. Rayner and other members continue to sell hand-made items at club and regional meetings. Helen and Rayner also took a stall at the Belfast Conference 2022 to sell silver jewellery made by Lily’s Leaves in Nepal and raffled an embroidered picture donated to us by past Soroptimist Barbara Dixon. This raised a significant sum which was match funded in support of Pipal Tree. Find out more about the Belfast Conference here.
Learn more about Pipal Tree here.
16 Days of Activism of violence
The club used social media to promote the 16 Days of Activism of the elimination of violence against women throughout November. Members knitting and crochet skills once more came into play as they produced a large number of orange flowers for the display in Llandaff Cathedral on 25th November as a contibution to the UN #OrangetheWorld campaign (Campaign to eliminate domestic violence). Find out more here.
Support to Federation
SI Bridgend supported Federation projects throughout the year, as well as both the Diamond Education Grant and Benevolent Fund.