Skip links

In Remembrance of Andrea 12th September 1939 –13th March 2018

In Remembrance of Andrea 12th September 1939 –13th March 2018

in

Andrea joined SI Bristol in 1981 and was a keen Soroptimist being President 1987/88 and serving as a very conscientious and efficient Treasurer for a number of years.  In 2016 she received her 35 year certificate at one of our regular luncheons.  She kept up with all our events and had hoped to join us for Annual lunch this year, which was cancelled owing to the snow.  Sadly Andrea died on 13th March Southmead Hospital. Andrea was born in Devonport and later moved to Kingsteignton she was always very proud of her Devonshire roots. After school she went to College in Leicester studying youth work, moving, with a lifelong friend Monica, to Norfolk. She then moved West to work at Withywood youth centre as assistant leader, before a short spell at Bristol Polytechnic. Her final job was Accommodation and welfare officer at Bristol University. This

Survey on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

Survey on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

in

SI Bristol responded to the request by SIGBI to conduct a survey. The purpose was to obtain data about the level of understanding the public has regarding human trafficking and modern slavery. The survey was conducted by SI Clubs throughout UK. Club members encouraged people to complete the survey (online or on paper) between 1st and 7th October 2017. On 7th October, a team of SI Bristol volunteers (Carol, Liz N, Lizzie, Helen, Hilary B, Pat I, Sue P and Yvonne) conducted surveys at Southmead Hospital lobby.  The number of online submissions is unknown; 111 paper surveys were submitted (80 from Southmead Hospital and 31 others) from a diverse range of respondents. A total of 552 Forms were submitted from SIGBI (which consists of 17 Clubs). This means that SI Bristol’s activity contributed a fifth of the paper surveys. Responses provided valuable information to the

12th March 2018 – Gill Kirk from Singing for the Brain

12th March 2018 – Gill Kirk from Singing for the Brain

in

On March 12th Gill Kirk inspired us with her passionate and informative talk about the effects of ‘ Singing for the Brain’, supported by the Alzheimer Society. So many of us these days know friends or family members with memory loss or the onset of Dementia, where the person appears to withdraw into themselves. The idea behind the weekly group singing and movement sessions is that ‘ people can live well with Dementia’ through the power of music, using it as a therapeutic experience. Research at Reading University has shown the impact music and movement can have on the brain and Gill explained that during the sessions she can see real change in people’s self esteem, as favourite songs are sung; this appears to unlock memory and leads individuals to respond and express emotions in a way they have been unable to do beforehand. Gill’s

12th February 2018 – Nikki Peck from the SOFA Project

12th February 2018 – Nikki Peck from the SOFA Project

in

Nikki started by telling us about the project Shift Old Furniture Around which we know as the SOFA project. They collect good quality furniture and appliances from local households and businesses on a daily basis. The items have to be of good quality as they will be purchased from their retail outlets. The items are brought back to our premises, and in the case of electrical appliances fully refurbished, before being made available at a low a price and then can then be delivered to the new owners.  They have other activities such as an electrical workshop, an e-bay shop, a flat pack workshop, a sales area and an office furniture operation.  They also work with other local organisations providing work placements and work experience to those who, for a number of reasons, are currently excluded from the job market. They also help those in

Mend the Gap

Mend the Gap

in

Mend the Gap is a registered charity based in Bristol which runs projects in Eastern Africa that aim to eradicate poverty and advance education. When two independent schools in Bristol merged in 2017, Bristol Soroptimists were able to acquire supplies of new and nearly new school uniform which needed a good home. In many African countries, children without school uniform are not allowed to attend school and many such children often drop out of education altogether and miss out on life’s chances and a way to break out of the circle of poverty. Recycling these uniforms to schools supported by Mend the Gap in Bochoroke, Kenya, has made a big difference. Not all children in the village can afford to go to school, so to wear a uniform is a visible sign of school membership. Hard-wearing school clothes are important as they will be passed

Mary’s Meals Backpack Project

Mary’s Meals Backpack Project

in

The backpack project complements the Mary’s Meals school breakfast programme. It provides children with items that help to support their education. Club members collect items from the list provided by Mary’s Meals and then these are put together into backpacks for school. Items include school stationery, school uniform, flip flops or sandals, a ball, a spoon, towel, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. Last year two independent schools in Bristol merged with the result that large quantities of pens, pencils and other school stationery items along with new and nearly new school uniform needed a good home. We were able to provide a good home by recycling useable backpacks, stationery items, dresses, jumpers, shorts and tops for the Mary’s Meals project. 30 completed backpacks were then sent to Mary’s Meals for onward distribution We also sent 5 large sacks/boxes of extra items for use in the schools.

Mary’s Meals – Breakfast Project

Mary’s Meals – Breakfast Project

in

First a little bit about Mary’s Meals Breakfast Project. Mary’s Meals delivers hope to over a million children every day in some of the most vulnerable and poor areas of the world. Many children living in the world’s poorest places are too hungry to go to school. Hunger also reduces a child’s concentration and learning ability and many children drop out of education because of this. The Mary’s Meals programme is excellent because, working with the whole community, children are given at least one good meal a day. Before Mary’s Meals establish a feeding programme in a new area, the community has to appoint a committee of parents, teachers and volunteers, who take responsibility for cooking and serving the meals for the children. Wherever possible, locally-sourced food is bought from producers that work with smallholder farmers in order to support the local economy. Educated children

Our Annual Bridge Day held on the 24th February 2018

Our Annual Bridge Day held on the 24th February 2018

in

On February 24th we held our annual charity Bridge Day in aid of Unseen at The Bristol Bridge Club. It is a very busy day with nearly all of SI Bristol and Soroptimisters there to help and support. We have also had great support from the Bridge Club both in providing the venue free of charge and also from the many members who regularly join us for this charity event. As always Mick Brown acted as Director for the day ensuring we had a professional day of Bridge for everyone to enjoy. It was a lively occasion and we provided prizes for the winners. This year our delicious 2 course lunch was provided by a number of Soroptimists under the direction of Maureen, Denise and Pauline C. Lovely cakes were made by Soroptimists and sold under the direction of Gish and a raffle managed by

Annual visit to London February 2018

Annual visit to London February 2018

in

Our annual visit to stay at Number 63 Bayswater Road at our very own Soroptimist boutique hotel was attended by 13 Soroptimists and 3 Soroptimisters, As usual the first evening was spent in the usual Italian Restaurant that is very close to Number 63.  However, the second day did not go without a hitch and some of us spent the afternoon and evening at two of the major London hospitals as you will see from the splendid arm sling on one of our faithful members in the front of the picture.   The rest of our group enjoyed the energy and talent of the major new production of the Olivier award-winning, smash-hit West End and Broadway musical Five Guys Named Moe in the new Marble Arch Theatre. Many thanks to Jeanette and Ruth for making it happen.

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Bag Packing

Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal: Bag Packing

in

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