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.

At our Regional Meeting on 18th November we were privileged to hear Tara Arkle, a writer and campaigner talking about domestic abuse. She was passionate about her subject and an inspiration to us all. Her talk was particularly relevant because on 25th November Soroptomists from throughout the south west will join SI Weston-super-Mare club to raise awareness and support the United Nations Day for the elimination of violence against women. Soroptomists will travel by train to Bristol Temple Meads station, many wearing distinctive orange clothing and distributing “Loves me /Loves me not” bookmarks and cards to people as they walk through Bristol with banners, ending at the Lord Mayor’s chapel. Dame Joan Collins has added her support to the campaign and she will be at the Lord Mayor’s chapel. The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Lesley Alexander and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens