Cannock Soroptimists were joined by family and friends to take part in a socially distanced Solstice Stroll to raise awareness of, and funds for, St Giles Hospice.  The ‘stroll’ took place on Saturday 20th June, the day of the Summer Solstice when St Giles usually hosts a mass walk.  Of course, this wasn’t possible this year – so supporters were asked to consider taking part in a 10,000 step or a 10K stroll, either individually or in small groups – and the walk could be done on one day or even throughout the whole month of June.  And the idea took off!  Cannock Soroptimists wanted to add their support and their initial team of 6 strollers quickly grew as others wanted to show their support too.   So they met, keeping 2m distance apart, in the sunshine opposite Mill Farm Pool and began their walk

Over the past weeks Cannock Soroptimists have been collecting and delivering hand and face creams to local Hospitals and care Homes. The creams ease the suffering experienced by staff wearing PPE. Donations have come from Soroptimists themselves, their friends, families and neighbours. Altogether almost 700 units of creams and other toiletries were very generously donated and have been delivered – wonderful! Amongst the donations were items such as soap, shampoo, shower gel which weren’t needed by Hospitals and Care Homes. A phone call to Cannock Food Bank confirmed that they could definitely make use of them – and so two boxes full were delivered to the Food Bank. The member of staff who received them said how extremely grateful they were – it appears that they are desperately short of toiletries and cleaning materials. Soroptimists received a request from Fairoak Ward at Cannock Hospital –

During the pandemic when so many are struggling to cope with lockdown and social distancing, financial difficulties, and the dangers involved in the caring for others, SI Cannock is trying to find new ways to help the community and to keep in touch with club members. They are also carrying on their work by collecting hand and face creams which are to be used by staff in hospitals and care homes who are suffering sore faces and hands from constant washing and wearing masks. Anyone who has any unopened face or hand creams can leave them in the box in the drive of 52, Hatherton Road. Cannock. The club officers remain the same this year as President Trish Smith is remaining as club President  and Jackie Prince is President Elect. President Trish’s motto for the coming year is particularly apt for the present situation WE

Cannock Soroptimists were delighted to be able to donate hand creams and face moisturiser for NHS staff at New Cross and Walsall Manor Hospitals, thanks to the generosity of members, their friends, neighbours and families.  Staff wearing PPE find that their skin suffers; having creams readily available will help to alleviate the problem for them. In addition members and friends have been making uniform bags so that nurses can remove their uniform, put it directly into a bag, tie the drawstring top and put the bag into the washing machine to wash at 60 degrees; and headbands with buttons to use with masks: instead of the elastic going behind the wearer’s ears, it is looped around the button, which is so much more comfortable.  Knitted red hearts have also been made – these are given to patients and to their families. This week each hospital

Cannock Soroptimists are delighted to work with St Giles Hospice to promote a new service in the Cannock area. It is recognised that often, following successful cancer treatment, people are encouraged to ‘go and get on with their lives’ – but it isn’t always that easy. For many, their bodies and their lives are changed forever. Added to that, having been at the centre of a treatment plan they suddenly find themselves with no-one to talk to – at least, no one who can fully understand and offer the support they need. This is why St Giles Hospice, in partnership with Breast Friends, Sutton Coldfield, set up a self referral clinic – used in the main by women, though partners are welcome too – where those who have recovered from cancer can talk about personal and intimate concerns in a safe environment. The clinic has

Cannock Soroptimists marked World Porridge Day on October 10th by holding a Porridge Breakfast at the home of one of the Club members. The idea began when the President Trish Smith invited a representative of Mary’s Meals to come along and talk to club members. Mary’s Meals is a registered charity which sets up school feeding programmes in some of the world’s poorest communities, where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education. These life-changing meals attract hungry children into the classroom. The food fills their empty bellies so they have the energy and opportunity to learn, giving them the chance of a brighter future. The meals also support families struggling to feed their children while boosting the country’s wider economy. Mary’s Meals feeds more than 1.5 million children in 18 countries around the world every school day. In countries including Malawi, Liberia and

Cannock Soroptimists have trained their second group of Your Body, Your Rules Ambassadors within local schools. Your Body, Your Rules is a project which enables young people in schools (Ambassadors) to ensure younger students in their schools are aware of the issues surrounding sending nudes, something which is very common amongst teenagers – and children even younger. The training day, led by Soroptimists Jackie Prince and Trish Mellor, was held in the banqueting suite at Cannock Council offices and these young people, just like last year’s Ambassadors, showed that they will handle the role with great success. PCSOs Laura Bainbridge and Suki Mander were there to chat to the students and to give a police perspective. During the day they learned about the possible consequences – emotional as well as legal – of sending nudes on a phone. They learned that it is impossible to

On Sat 5th October President Trish Smith held her long- awaited Afternoon Tea in ais of the Meru Garden Project. 20 Members and friends enjoyed a lovely afternoon of fabulous food, fun and friendship, combined with a great fun quiz on the subject of Tea and cakes. The afternoon raised a grand total of £152.00. We have already sent of a cheque for £100 to the Meru Gardens Project as the closing date for that project was 30th September and the balance of £52.00 will be added to the amount that we have already raised for Staffordshire women’s aid.

On Thursday 5th September Trish Smith invited members and friends to her home to raise money for her Presidential Charity, Staffordshire Women’s Aid. Members helped by making a selection of delicious homemade cakes. We were also delighted to have been joined by a survivor of Domestic Violence who had been helped by the organisation, after fleeing from extreme physical and mental violence. She has now rebuilt her life with continuing help from Staffs Women’s Aid and is now hoping to train as an Ambassador to help other women who have found themselves in similar situations through no fault of their own. It was a very enjoyable and enlightening morning enjoyed by all and raised the sum of £80 which will added to other monies raised and presented to Staffs Women’s Aid at the end of President Trish Smith’s year of office.

On Friday August 31st more than 70 members and friends of Cannock Soroptimists enjoyed a Fun Quiz and Fish and Chips supper at St Mary’s Social Club, Cannock. There were 16 teams and the evening was a great success. President of SI Cannock, Trish Smith, was both the compiler and the Quiz Mistress who kept everyone in order and adjudicated extremely well. It was a fun evening of laughter and friendship which also raised money for Staffordshire Women’s Aid, the charity which provides support and accommodation for victims of Domestic Violence primarily in the Cannock and Stafford areas. The worthy winning quiz team was the Cannock Chasers. The evening and the raffle together raised £367.00 which will be added to other monies raised throughout the year and presented when Trish Smith’s term of office comes to an end as Staffordshire Women’s Aid is her charity