As part of the United Nations 16Days of Activism against gender based violence and domestic abuse, this year’s Silent March was bigger than ever. Past, Present and Future members of SI Canterbury were joined by our Regional President, members of SI Folkestone, SI Tunbridge Wells, SI Whitstable & District, SI Bromley, SI East Grinstead, East Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Maya’s Community Support Centre, Catching Lives, The Westgate Hall, Canterbury Diocese Mothers’ Union, Canterbury Welcomes Refugees, Canterbury City Council, The Rising Sun, The Women’s Equality Party, Rev. Wendy Dalrympol, men, women and children. We marched in solidarity with women all across the globe against violence towards women and girls. Something profound Something profound happened in Canterbury on the morning of Saturday, November 30th, 2024. A dry, mild day it was for early Christmas shoppers. And thankfully for the homeless

            SI Canterbury hosted a Macmillan Coffee morning to raise money for people living with cancer on Friday 27th September. Thank you to everyone who came for a cuppa and a chat. We raised £184.50. We will be holding the event again next year!

Canterbury Soroptimists choose new project. At the recent Canterbury Soroptimists’ Reflections Day, we discussed what we have been doing over the last year, our on-going work, and proposals for possible new projects to focus on in the coming year. We wanted something that would build on work we are already doing, would involve all our members, in an activity of individual choice, linked by a common theme, and at a level of time and energy that people’s busy schedules allow. We chose a project on biodiversity. We are in an exceptional era when climate change, loss of habitat, over hunting and fishing, air/water/light/noise and earth pollution, along with other factors, are causing huge losses in the diversity and abundance of our planet earth’s essential flora and fauna. Although the current situation seems daunting, we have decided on a three-phase project to parallel the efforts of

International Women’s Day 2024 proved to be a busy one! Celebrations started with Breakfast at the Westgate Hall with an inspiring talk by Joyologist Donna Easton. Everyone was treated to a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with time to chat and partake in refreshment. Various members then volunteered their time throughout the day to support local women. Activities included a craft session at The Refuge, supporting The Rising Sun staff at their awareness & fundraising  stall in M&S, and an open house, coffee, chat & cake fundraiser.

Next Orange Cafe – Date and Venue to be announced shortly . . .  You’re in a café and you see a group of women wearing orange… If it’s the 25th of the month, you can be sure they aren’t wearing a company uniform or this season’s top fashion colour.  They are drawing attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls. Why not join the group and find out more?  We are keeping a place for you!  

An afternoon with Patricia Mohony, Jamie Moore and our very own Tessa Woodward. ‘Encounters’ kept us entertained and amused.  This week long Festival boasts an eclectic programme to entertain, support charities, work with young people and bring people together  

27th January members of SI Canterbury remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

Silent March through Canterbury Saturday morning, November 25th brought a large group of people carrying posters and banners protesting against violence against women and girls. Yes, we all see it on the news, yet another woman killed by a stalker or ex-boyfriend. But we may not know the true figures. One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales and 8% will suffer domestic violence each year. On average, two women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. The number of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by police in England and Wales increased by 6% in the year ending March 2021 to 845,734. A total of 1,459,663 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes were recorded by police in the year to March 2021. In 73% of

A quiz organised and run by SI Canterbury was well attended and raised £680 to support the essential work carried out by Catching Lives. A fun evening and a great cause ♥

We are delighted to be awarded Highly Commended 2023 by the Judging panel of the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards. The panel were extremely impressed at the initiative and the amount of hard work and dedication by all of our sisters.