![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/bridgend-and-district\/files\/2025\/05\/Prog-Action-2024-25-visual.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nONGOING PROJECTS<\/u><\/h4>\n
Supporting women survivors of domestic abuse <\/strong>– through Llamau and Women\u2019s Refuge in Bridgend. 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Empowering women and girls in Nepal <\/strong>\u2013 through Pipal Tree and Lily\u2019s Leaves In August, the first 14 girls graduated from the six months\u2019 training in basic tailoring organised by Lily\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Educate a Girl – Cape Verde Education Project Friends Teas 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\u2019s company. Report on Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts \u2013 Regional project for SI Wales South<\/em><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Brownie\u2019s got Talent competition 2025<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Presentation Night and, to the delight of members, opened the evening with her singing.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n SIGBI 90 for 90 \u2013 Smalls for All collection<\/strong> Helping to tackle homelessness in Bridgend – President\u2019s Charity: Emmaus South Wales 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.<\/p>\n A donation of \u00a32,400 was presented to Emmaus in January \u2013 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, \u201cThis really has made a big difference and helped the companions build bridges and enjoy time together socially.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to this financial donation, members provided Christmas cards, chocolates and small Christmas gifts for the Emmaus companions \u2013 often this was the only gift they had received for many years.<\/p>\n Orange Cafes Orange Wreaths for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (25th<\/sup> Nov to 10th<\/sup> Dec)<\/strong> Bridgend Christmas Tree Festival<\/strong> To mark International Women\u2019s Day <\/strong>on 8th<\/sup> March, members gathered for a walk at Parc Slip organised by Joyce Chatterton, followed by lunch.<\/p>\n Alongside member\u2019s charity donations and receipts from raffles at Club meetings, there have been a number of other fundraising activities this year.<\/p>\n Sue Newton is continuing to sell the collectable prints donated by Carys Brown\u2019s 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 \u00a3350 in support of Programme Action projects.<\/p>\n All members were involved in organising the major fund-raising activity of a Grand Raffle during the autumn \u2013 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 \u00a32,400 which was donated to Emmaus South Wales.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Helen Murdoch, Programme Action Officer Programme Action is at the heart of our organisation. It is the reason why many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":802,"featured_media":0,"parent":414,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5409","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nSI 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.<\/p>\n\n
\nOur 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 \u00a3200 plus a further donation of \u00a3250 made by Rayner in the name of SI Bridgend through the sale of jewellery made by Lily\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n
\nOur 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\u2019s assistance.<\/p>\n
\nAndrea 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 \u2018A Review of Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts in South Wales \u2013 Room for Improvement\u2019 <\/em><\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n
\nBridgend 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.<\/p>\n
\nClubs were asked to support SIGBI President Ruth Healey who challenged Club to do \u201c90 Things\u201d during the year to celebrate 90 years of SIGBI. As part of the SIGBI \u201890 for 90\u2019 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 \u2013 because dignity matters. This project generated some excellent local publicity both online and in print.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>President Ruth\u2019s theme for her year is \u2018Homelessness, the Crisis on our Doorstep\u2019 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 \u201cwe are all responsible together, responsible for ourselves, and responsible for one another, and herein lies the greatness of being human.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nRAISING AWARENESS<\/u><\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>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 \u2013 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 \u2018Soroptimists say NO to Violence Against Women\u2019 to wear to raise awareness. The events are quietly generating local interest and plans are in play to develop them further.<\/p>\n
\nThe club gave a donation of \u00a320 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.
\nLesley Davies represented the Club at the BAWSO Light a Candle event in Llandaff Cathedral on 25th<\/sup> Thank you, Lesley.
\nHelen Murdoch posted on the Club Facebook page every day during the 16 Days of Activism generating increased interaction and online conversations.<\/p>\n
\nPresident 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.<\/p>\nHANDS-ON SUPPORT<\/u><\/h4>\n
\n
DONATING<\/u><\/h4>\n
\n
FUND RAISING<\/u><\/h4>\n
\n30th<\/sup> April 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"