Who Are we?
President 2025-26
Dr Lindsay Edmiston
“As the daughter of a Soroptimist I have been involved with the organisation for many years. I joined just over 29 years ago while on secondment from my research role in the nuclear industry.
Returning to Cumbria I was delighted to join the Cockermouth club; always dynamic and vibrant in the way it looks to support women and girls.
Over the years we have built a sensory garden at West House in Cockermouth, made beds at Calvert Trust, supported the development of a health centre in Uganda, painted Cockermouth pink-raising awareness for breast cancer.
Along the way there have been lots of laughs, fun and friendship.”
Outgoing President Martha Anne Dewis presenting the chain of Office to Lindsay
Congratulations Lindsay and a big thankyou to Martha for your service!!
Some thoughts from our President……
“Hello and welcome to our club page!
It is an absolute privilege to serve as Club President for the coming year. A role I last had in 2001- the same year as I had our daughter.
I have chosen the theme ‘ Being a Soroptimist’ and plan to use the year to explore what it means to be a Soroptimist. For me this is service friendship and fun.
We have already heard from Pascale Muylaert from the Soroptimist International team focusing on the United Nations. She described in detail the role Soroptimist International plays at the UN. SI is one of a handful of organisations that has consultative status on Women’s issues at the UN. This is, in the main, down to the Programme Action –service- work we do in clubs.”
Please visit our page Programme Action- What we do ! and see What we do!
SI Cockermouth and District Officers 2025-26
Club Secretary: Claire Rawlinson
“I’m Claire-Club Secretary. I retired in 2021 after 33 years working in the Nuclear Industry. I have been a Soroptimist for 9 years and joined because I want to make a difference to to the lives of women. I have worked on many diverse projects from bed making at the Calvert Trust to advocating for women by lobbying MP’s, fundraising to support women in Nepal and planting trees. The club is a place of friendship and support where we have a lot of fun doing our projects.”
Programme Action Officer: Penny Lloyd-Martin
“Hi I’m Penny, I’ve been a Soroptimist for about 18 months and ‘am involved with the Orange the World project whilst trying to contribute to other work as I can. I’m an ‘NHS lifer’! Clinical background in Physiotherapy then moved into leadership positions across Manchester. Moved up to Cumbria 3 years ago really enjoying all the county has to offer and particularly the fun and friendship of Cockermouth SI”
Treasurer : Jane Shaw
Membership Officer: Joan Hetherington
“Originally from Carlisle, I moved to West Cumbria in 1987for work with the, then careers service (which later became the Connexions Service). I retired in 2008 from my role as Operations Director with Connexions Cumbria.
I joined the club in 2009 and since then have been club President, Treasurer, Regional Representative, PA officer, Minute Secretary and currently I am Membership officer.”
Safeguarding Officer:
Doreen Bertram: Fundraising officer
Hi I’m Doreen, my background is NHS initially public health and my last 14 years as Lead Nurse for child and Adult protection. I’ve been a member since 1987 and have served in every club officers role and also as President of the Region of Northern England 1999-2000. I have worked on many projects big and small; Tools with a mission-Land mines-Health Centre in Uganda etc etc but the best thing…support and friendship.”
Mandy Lloyd-Martin : Communications Officer
“Retired as a Nurse Consultant in Pain Management. Present roles include being a grandmother and a cat parent! I joined the Soroptimists fairly recently and am involved in VAWG projects, purple community fund and climate/environmental issues. Already I’ve met some lovely people whom I know will become dear friends”
Ros Earthy: Development planning lead
“After retiring from education I wanted to be useful. In Soroptimists I have been involved with various VAWG projects including the grab bags and Orange The World. Recently I have been involved with the ‘Ask for Angela’ programme and the Railway survey. Being a Soroptimist gives me wonderful opportunities to balance projects with social events.”
Chris Blake : Fundraising Officer
“Moved to Keswick in 1987 to run a small hotel ( 12years). I’ve been a Deputy Manager in OXFAM and retired in 2005. I joined the Soroptimists in 2002 and have been involved in many projects. At present fundraising is my main responsibility. I enjoy the time spent with members and friends.”
Present Members 2025
Jenny McCulloch
“Hi, I’m Jen, I worked in secondary education for over 34 years finally retiring 8 years ago. I say retired with scepticism as I’m on-call 24/7 for my two daughters, their 4 dogs and 3 horses!! I became a Soroptimist 4 years ago and having worked in West Cumbria became involved in the WOW project supporting vulnerable women and girls. I now help with any activities when I can and definitely enjoy the fun and friendship the club provides.”
Barbara Williams
“I worked in the NHS for 30 years and I have been a Soroptimist for over 35years. Enjoying many years of fellowship and fun while carrying out programme action projects such as land mines, trafficked women and refugees supporting Women out West. During my time as fundraising secretary I organised BBQ’s afternoon tea parties and we regularly had a stall at the Victorian Christmas market where we all dressed up in appropriate outfits. I currently organise the rota for bed making at the Calvert Trust on change over day.”
Angela Winkworth
“As ‘am the only founder member left I’m amazed how the club has changed since 1981!! Under the guidance of our mother club Whitehaven, 18 of us started the club and then everyone had to have a different profession! How things have changed for the better. ‘Am very proud of our achievements over the years supporting so many charities such as Dewode, Mines and of course support for the town through 2 floods and the setting up of the foodbank. Looking forward to everyone seeing the scrapbooks for our full history. I don’t have a named task now but ‘am always willing to help where possible and also to tell more of our history.”
Helen Lord 
“I have been a Soroptimist for 30 years and Club President twice. I worked for the NHS for 33 years and have been retired for 12 years. I have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. I supported Dewode, Landmines action and raising money for brain tumour research.”
Lisa Maxwell
Bethan Hill-Gorst 
“35+ years ago in Bournemouth I asked a group of women “What is a Soroptimist?” As they were having their charter dinner at the hotel where I worked. I did not escape. I enjoyed knowing and working on P.A projects with a group of wonderfully interesting women. Later I got married and transferred to Carlisle, where I was delighted in being able to join a ready group of fellow minds and friends. As a former southerner and Essex girl to boot, I have only recently retired after 33 years of working for my adopted County of Cumbria in the council. I have had the privilege of working to support adult social care professionals with operational and performance information that helped to support them with their work. This has enabled me to learn so much about Cumbria and the people that make it their home. I am really a backroom person having served as Secretary and Treasurer for both my previous clubs and I will be happy to participate in any programme action work where possible.”
Sue Mendus
“My name is Sue Mendus. I am a retired nurse and Teaching Assistant. I became a member of Cockermouth Soroptimists in 2005. Over the years I have enjoyed being a member of an organisation which has the well being of women and girls totally at its core. Also becoming involved in the publicity projects and fundraising which promote our concerns to the wider public is very satisfying and great fun. But underpinning everything we do as Soroptimists is the great sense of friendship care and trust we have for one another working as a team. “
Del Jones
“I’m Del (Delyth). I joined as a full member of Cockermouth SI in 2022 but was a link member following the closure of Whitehaven SI closure in 2016. I worked in special needs education , as a SENCO and also specialised in teaching children with Dyslexia in West Cumbria until I retired. I initially became involved with the Soroptimists through the encouragement of my elder daughter, who at the time was working to build up her volunteering company linking into ethical projects world wide. Interestingly one of these was supporting a group of women in the Phillipines with their ring pull industry! Over the recent years I have become involved with the Refugee Support Network, attending weekly at the English cafe in Whitehaven. I’ve helped with Food bank collections at local supermarkets and had fun making beds at the Calvert Trust. Currently I’m supporting research into the “ask for Angela” scheme in our area. I enjoy the social side of the club along with learning a great deal from the various guest speakers. I’m looking forward to many years of fun and friendships with this lovely group of ladies at Cockermouth SI.”
Catherine Hetherington
“I’m Catherine Hetherington & joined Cockermouth Soroptimists in October 2024, a newish member but as the daughter of a founder member ‘am well informed on activities over the years. I’m a former bookseller owning and running The New Bookshop for many years, organising events & being part of the community locally & nationally, until my retirement. I’m part of Orange the World group & ‘am helping to plan an exhibition for our 45th Anniversary in 2026 and a few other things too. Its lovely to be part of such a friendly group. “
Dr Judith V. Spencer ( Proudfoot)
“I was born in Lancashire and lived in Devon & Kent before completing my medical degree in Cardiff. The junior doctor years were peripatetic as normal. I met my husband Ron, in Lancaster & we moved together to Wolverhampton where I joined the Combined West Midlands, Oxford, Wessex Southwest and Wales Public Health Training Scheme. I became a Consultant in Public Health/Consultant for Communicable Disease Control/Medical Officer for Environmental Health( all one job!!), for Wolverhampton in 1988.
I joined SI Wolverhampton in 1989. We moved to West Cumbria in 1993 and I transferred to Whitehaven SI. I became a magistrate in Whitehaven whilst contemplating my future. In the early 2000’s I became a GP and eventually a partner in a GP practice. I retired 2016 and shortly after transferred to SI Cockermouth after SI Whitehaven closed. I have since been indulging my love of travel with my husband. There are still lots of places to go and so little time…”