Crosby’s Soroptimists have focussed on women’s long-term health and wellbeing. Powerful testimony from cancer survivor Abby Younis introduced members to a new way of transforming women’s lives. Abby is fronting a campaign to fundraise for a state-of-the art laser at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH). Dr Paula Briggs is Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the hospital. Cancer treatments, she explained, can cause a medically-induced menopause. Many menopausal symptoms are commonly known. Others, such as vaginal atrophy, are less well recognised – even among clinicians. Internal dryness, weakening, recurrent infections – often the consequences of modern cancer treatments. Women find these gynaecological symptoms difficult to talk about. Yet they can jeopardise their physical and mental health, and blight their lives. The Soroptimists heard that the LWH is seeking to fund a CO2 (Mona Lisa Touch) laser, costing £50,000. The laser will enable this NHS

Better late than never! Crosby's Soroptimists raised £1,434 at a fundraising 'virtual' auction last May. It was an experiment - and turned out to be a great success. President Chris Smith has now been able to hand over a cheque for the proceeds. Neil Frackelton, Chief Executive of Sefton Woman's and Children's Aid (SWACA), was delighted to receive it. This charity is close to the hearts of local Soroptimists and the club has long been associated with SWACA.

Crosby’s Soroptimists have been going back in time. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside (LWT) is planning education workshops. These form part of the Mesolithic and Modern Life project at Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve. SI Crosby is a long-term partner with LWT. The Soroptimists are joining other volunteers in developing sessions that can be rolled out as part of the project’s learning programme. Topics include prehistoric crafts and archaeology techniques. Soroptimist Chris Chua-Short said: “The initial workshop, on prehistoric crafts, was led by Barry Taylor and Amy Gray Jones, Senior Lecturers in Archaeology at the University of Chester. “They gave us an insight into life in Mesolithic times, then explained how to make some traditional Mesolithic items. We started with cording using nettle and some other tree bark. Certainly, we weren’t as skilled as people 9,000 years ago! However, it was challenging

100 years, and counting Crosby’s Soroptimists have a come up with a special way of commemorating the centenary of Soroptimist International (SI) in 2021. Members are making a quilt. The quilt will be featured in the run-up to the ‘virtual’ conference of Soroptimist International, Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) in Llandudno. The design is ‘Friendship Star’ using the American 9-patch system. Traditional Soroptimist ‘colours’ of blue and yellow are included in the pattern. Led by experienced crafter Laurel Byrne of Treasure Quilt, the Soroptimists pieced together the motifs. For several, this was a whole new skill to learn. Laurel will now apply the wadding and the backing fabric to create the quilt. Sandy Taylor came up with the original idea and suggested it to her fellow members. “For several years we put our sewing skills to good use, raising funds for charities. “SI Crosby is

SI Crosby has won an award for Programme Action. (l-r) Region President Josie Carter, Terry Francis, Sriya Kulupana, President Chris It is presented annually by SI South Lancashire Region, and is based on clubs' reports of their service activities. The focus of the award was SI Crosby’s 5-year Lunt Meadows project. Education, biodiversity and archaeology all feature. Sriya Kulupana, Programme Action Officer, judged submissions from all the clubs in the region. In her estimation, SI Crosby’s partnership with the Wildlife Trust (Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside) is well structured, targeted and planned. It has ongoing benefits for the community, the environment - and club members themselves. Chris Smith, President of SI Crosby, was delighted to receive the trophy. In particular President Chris paid tribute to the club’s Programme Action Officer, Terry Francis, who has co-ordinated the project from the beginning. The award was a highlight

Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Mary Corbett of the Waterloo Partnership at a recent meeting. Mary gave an update to club members, This local charity is based in Waterloo (Merseyside) and supports sustainable development projects in its namesake community Waterloo (Sierra Leone). The original project was to fund the building of a library. Since then, the two-way contacts have enabled the community to express and itemise its own needs. The Sierra Leonean committee members liaise with their British counterparts to agree each initiative. This partnership working has, for example, enabled the community to build simple bridges to connect local facilities; to dig and maintain wells; and to set up a bakery and a motor mechanic service. It supplies seeds, tools and protective footwear to 150 women who farm on the ‘margins’. The Soroptimists know that education has been a core value of Waterloo Partnership. Mary explained that

Crosby’s Soroptimists have planted out over two hundred native wildflowers at Lunt Meadows. Club members tended the flowers from seed at home over several months. Varieties included ox-eye daisy, field scabious and ragged robin. The flowers are now strong enough to have a good chance of surviving in the wild. This is another example of SI Crosby’s ongoing partnership with the Wildlife Trust (Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside). The nature reserve at Lunt, near Crosby, is a haven for wildlife. The wildflower meadows are part of the Trust’s drive to enhance the experience for visitors, as well as to increase biodiversity. Chris Smith, President of SI Crosby, said: “This was a simple, practical way of working with the Wildlife Trust. We all really enjoyed contributing – in this small way – to our local environment.”

Crosby Soroptimists held a successful ‘fundraiser’ party in President Chris Smith’s garden. Friends joined club members for afternoon tea, plus the chance to bag a bargain or win a bottle. Club member Ann Dickinson at the keyboards provided a musical background throughout the afternoon. This was the Soroptimists’ first opportunity for many months to get together. Special guest was Ruth Baldwin, Headteacher at Waterloo Primary School. Soroptimist International, Crosby, is supporting children’s learning at the school, and the garden party aimed to raise funds for reading-for-pleasure books. Highlight of the party was the ‘Bean Bag Olympics’ contest, hosted by President Chris’s husband. The tense final saw headteacher Ruth take a creditable bronze position. Medals and trophies will be treasured! Margaret Davidson co-ordinated the afternoon’s refreshments. “So many club members helped out both beforehand and on the day,” she said. “All the cakes and scones were

Crosby’s Soroptimists celebrated the re-opening of Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve with a walk and picnic. Cheryl Ashton and Molly Toal of the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside (LWT) led the group round the reserve. They pointed out new features, such as ponds which will attract a host of creatures, thus increasing Lunt’s biodiversity. SI Crosby has a long-term partnership with LWT. It was encouraging, therefore, to visit Lunt in all its summer glory. The reserve has been closed since last winter’s Storm Christoph led to the River Alt bursting its banks and flooding the site. The Environment Agency has repaired the breach. The Soroptimists have sponsored the twinning of the reserve’s new compost toilet. Its ‘twin’ is a facility for girls at a school in Malawi. Girls in so many countries miss out on education because of the lack of basic sanitary

Crosby’s Soroptimists helped prepare a fundraising ‘click and collect’ strawberry tea. The local charity Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid (SWACA) set up the novel event as Covid regulations outlawed the usual garden party. Into each pre-ordered bag went scones, jam, butter, clotted cream, strawberries, tea-bags, a selection of fun-based activities – and fizz. Plenty of goodies for a delicious afternoon tea. And all in aid of SWACA – a very good cause.