Unseen’s specialised care is the first step in the fight against slavery. Through supporting survivors, their provision gives them a safe place to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.  We have supported Unseen for a number of years including Christmas Presents for those in the Safe Houses. Two groups of four Soroptimists, organised by Yvonne , spent a few very convivial hours wrapping up individual Christmas presents and the boxes to house them in.  They said “we had such fun together making these presents look pretty and inviting”.  The presents were donations from SI Bristol members and fulfilled a pre-determined list of items from Unseen for 8 women and 5 men currently being cared for at Unseen’s safe houses.

The weather might have been damp, but it did not dampen Soroptimist Bristol’s spirit at the Railing Against Abuse event.  We have supported this event for many years and this year we travelled to Swindon. The Bristol club joined several other clubs from the South West and Channel Island Region.  We met outside Swindon’s Railway Station for a walk led by Tara Arkle (writer and activist) through the centre of Swindon to demonstrate against all forms of violence against women and girls and we handed out Healthy Relationship bookmarks on the way. These were very well received and we engaged with many members of the public during the walk.

Monday 25th November at our Club Meeting we had an interesting talk from Emma Murray the manager for Bristol North West Foodbank. Emma spoke about the wonderful work the Foodbank carries out for people who need support in the community and how the system of referral works. She also spoke about how they are expanding the services to a Homebank service which includes the provision of white goods, kitchen utensils, blankets, towels and various other goods for those who have nothing or very little. By March 2011 they had given out 33980 “support packages”.  The need is increasing year on year for example there was a 28% increase last year and 24% increase this year.  Food is donated, sorted, packed and distributed from 4 pickup points.  Clients arrive with a referral letter from one of the 180 referral agencies that the food bank works with. 

On Saturday 19th October 2019 a team worked at Marks & Spencer in Broadmead to collect money for the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children’s Appeal.    Helpers stood at the end of the check-out counters in the Food Hall and offered to help shoppers pack their bags. Of seven helpers, four were SI Bristol Soroptimists (Liz N, Marion, Ruth, Yvonne). For the day’s effort, £437.46 was raised making it possible for two vouchers (£20 each) to be given to 10 (almost 11) children at Christmas.