Several Soroptimists (Liz F, Liz G, Liz N, Marion, Yvonne)  helped by packing bags at food counters at Marks and Spencer, Broadmead and Waitrose, Henleaze. During 2017, over £1,400 was raised for this appeal. The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal helps disadvantaged children under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) who reside within the Bristol city boundary to have a better Christmas by providing vouchers that can be exchanged for food, clothes and toys. Recipients are nominated by the Children and Young People’s Services, Social Care Division, City of Bristol, who vet all applications that are also substantiated by the applicant’s social worker, teacher or doctor, thereby ensuring that the help reaches the right children. The charity aims to provide relief to approximately 1.650 disadvantaged children.  Each child receives two vouchers: 1 x £20 to be spent on food and 1 x £20

Starting on 22nd January, 2018 there will be a table at each Business meeting where members can leave fliers and information about activities and events in Bristol and its surroundings. The photograph shows Liz N setting up the first Table. Members looked at the information and took any fliers of particular interest to them. Please bring brochures, fliers, notices, requests and anything you think will be of interest to share with members. Any material not collected at the end of the meeting will be discarded.

In December 2017, Denise M and Liz G took part in performing mock interviews to students at the Bridge Learning Campus. This campus is an Academy in Hartcliffe, Bristol. This annual event involves giving practice interviews to Year 11 students by people from business and voluntary groups.  Interviews last all morning with a format of six students with each pair of interviewers. Interviewers cover many aspects, including general type questions and giving advice regarding appearance, confidence, and quality of answers.  Interviewers also advise students to write a Resume that is as good as they are, and give verbal feedback on how they did overall. Interviewers record their notes and Feedback Forms are returned to students. Students and school officials find them to be invaluable.

On Saturday 16th December 2017, nine volunteers gathered at Colston Hall to enjoy the ‘English Christmas Music’ concert performed by the Bristol Choral Society Bristol Ensemble and conducted by Hilary Campbell. The programme consisted of ‘Christmas day’ and ‘Psalm 148’ by Gustov Holst, ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ by Benjamin Britton and a ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams. We were also treated to ‘Interlude’ beautifully played by harpist Anne Denholm. The team (Carol, Gill, Jeanette, Liz N, Lizzie, Lucy, Marion, Pauline H and Susan G) collected £244.43 from the happy, departing audience, for the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal. For more information about this Appeal check out: www.lordmayorofbristoappeal.co.uk; registered charity number 288262.  

On Thursday 8th December, gifts donated by SI Bristol members were wrapped ready to give to UNSEEN for current residents of their Safe houses. A team of Programme Action committee members (Liz N, Marion, Sue P and Yvonne) wrapped items to be given to people spending Christmas in an UNSEEN Safe House. Nine items were colourfully wrapped and placed in shoe boxes (8 for women and 5 for men). The shoe boxes and their lids were wrapped separately in gift paper, giving a festive look. That meant we wrapped 143 items! A big thank you to SI Bristol members who contributed items.