PhysioNet is a charity we support which accepts walking aids, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment no longer needed by the NHS.   Most of the equipment is used items from patients, but there are also donations from hospitals, and companies  and so it all mounts up! Luckily PhysioNet is expert at sending these wonderful items to  countries who accept the donations gratefully. The equipment is all collected, cleaned and loaded onto huge lorries on their way to seaports and across the sea to their destinations. There are volunteers from Rotary Clubs and Soroptimists who assist in this work and on 3rd June, yet another  team from our Soroptimist Club volunteered to help.  We have been supporting this charity for sometime now. Over the past year PhysioNet used a local depot near Slimbridge, but are moving soon to better premises in Arlingham Passage, Frampton

    We organised another event at The Vincent on 26t h May to fundraise for the charity Smart Works Bristol.     There was a talk by Ruth Jackson, a trustee of the charity, followed by a clothes sale. Smart Works helps unemployed women to get the interview coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives. We were delighted the sale raised £380 for Smart Works Bristol and it helped raise the profiles of the charity and Soroptimist Bristol. The photograph shows Soroptimist Bristol President Sally and the speaker Ruth Jackson, a Trustee of Smart Works – “Free clothing and coaching to help women get the job”.

We have been supporting PhysioNet for some time now and have tried to support them on at least a monthly basis.   PhysioNet collects surplus disability, mobility and medical equipment, refurbishes it and distributes it to children and adults who lack access to such resources.  By working with local and international partners, PhysioNet ensures that these essential items including wheelchairs, scooters and walking aids are provided to communities where they can make the greatest impact.   Earlier this year we reported that groups of our members regularly volunteer with PhysioNet at their Gloucestershire depot.  They recently acquired a new south west depot in Cambridge near Slimbridge (Gloucestershire).  Bridget, our Programme Action officer, organises our attendance with PhysioNet. During the year we are regularly joined by a group of collaborating Rotary members to sort out a veritable mountain of crutches and other equipment. For example we

  At our Club Meeting on Monday 23rd March, we welcomed a representative from WomanKind Bristol to talk about the charity. Womankind Bristol is a mental health charity run by women for women.  They help hundreds of women to improve their mental health and wellbeing so they can experience a better quality of life. The charity has a Helpline, providing a dedicated listening ear and support for women to talk things through, whatever the reason.  When women are going through difficult times, simply feeling heard and understood can make a big difference.   The helpline is there to support any woman or girl aged 16 and above who is in need of a listening ear. Helpline: 0117 916 6461         helpline@womankindbristol.org.uk Womankind offers one-to-one Counselling, a confidential space where women of all ages, cultures and backgrounds can feel safe and supported.  Their General Counselling

      Two SI Bristol members (Jacasta and Marion) gave Year 10 students one-to-one Mock Interviews at Yate Academy.   We have collaborated with Bristol Rotary Club in previous years to help students prepare for upcoming work experience interviews and give them feedback as a key part of their preparation for job interviews. On this occasion we worked with the Kingswood Rotary Club. There were 25 desks in the auditorium and during the course of the morning, each participant interviewed 5 or 6 students. The event was under the supervision of a school teacher.  We carried out mock interviews, after which we completed a feedback form for each student on different elements of performance: verbal communication, body language, general attitude, quality of answers and areas to develop. Bristol Soroptimists are committed to continuing their support for schools by offering their time and assistance on

  The International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations at Bristol City Hall today was an exciting and stimulating event for Soroptimist Bristol. This event, organised by Bristol Women’s Voice, reflected our values of nurturing, connection, solidarity and empowerment. Our Programme Action leader, Bridget, organised a team of fourteen members who worked five shifts interacting with many interested visitors who came to talk to us throughout the day. We showcased our projects through a short video shown in a loop. We also connected with many other women groups and charities to learn about their activities. There were over 50 workshops on offer, talks and performances, as well as a variety of food stalls from various parts of the world. We thank Bridget and all our members who generously donated their time today to make this such a successful event. #IWD2026 #SoroptimistBristol #StandingUpForWomenAndGirls #Soroptimists @soroptimistgbi Soroptimist SIGBI

At our Club meeting on Monday 26th January, we were pleased to welcome Jenny Benson from Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS). SARSAS is a local charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives. They listen, believe and support survivors. SARSAS provides a wide range of services and consult with people to best meet survivors’ needs. The charity started in 2008 as Bristol Rape Crisis, before expanding in 2013 to cover the whole of Avon and Somerset. They then started to provide much needed counselling services and changed their name to SARSAS. The charity is part of Rape Crisis England and Wales which has 38 member organisations covering the whole of the UK. There is a huge emotional toll as a result of the trauma of rape and

Four Soroptimists visit PhysioNet at their new south west depot in Cambridge near Slimbridge (Gloucestershire). On the cold, windy and grey morning of Saturday 24th January, a group of four Soroptimist Bristol members (Funlola, Bridget, Marion and Ivete) volunteered with PhysioNet at their new south west depot in Cambridge near Slimbridge (Gloucestershire).  Bridget, SI Bristol’s Programme Action officer, organised our attendance with Sarah from PhysioNet.Together with other volunteers, we helped fill a shipping container with refurbished mobility equipment destined for Fiji,  the 27th load to the islands since 2009. Vodaphone Fiji once again covered the shipping costs to Fiji Mobility Alliance (formerly the Spinal Injuries Association). The equipment (1168 items) had to be loaded in two phases: from PhysioNet’s base to the vans and then from the vans to the shipping container. The container was too large to be driven on the narrow lanes leading