Crosby Soroptimist Steph Stephenson recently gave her fellow members a whistle-stop tour of STEM in her workplace. The promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to girls is ongoing. Take-up of STEM subjects at school is encouraging; but how does this translate into the world of work? In the UK only 16% of engineers are female. Steph demonstrated how her employer (Jaguar Land Rover – JLR) is facing the challenge of enhancing women’s access to engineering. Steph is HR Director for JLR (Halewood and Brazil). For International Women’s Day the year (8th March) Steph and the team set up workplace sessions both for employees and for young women in high schools local to the factory. Delegates looked at engineering – its scope, challenges and opportunities – in the modern world. The company  is taking positive action to encourage job applications from women. Currently

Crosby’s Soroptimists celebrated the club’s 85th anniversary in style by going ‘down the rabbit hole’. Guests sat at ‘Alice’-themed tables in the historic setting of the Barn at Crosby Hall. Flowers sprang from teapots and – “curiouser and curiouser” - dormice peeped through the foliage. Club President Jill Boggan introduced representatives from Sefton Baby Baskets - the charity’s founder Gill Ruane and her colleague Sue Hall. This local organisation has been highlighted as part of SI Crosby’s community action this year. Guests were able to hear from Gill about its impact on mothers – and all could admire one of the baskets full of essentials for a new family. SI Crosby welcomed Pam Wright, SI South Lancashire Region President as a special guest. Members were also delighted that Soroptimists from clubs in Liverpool, Keighley, Southport, Manchester and Grange-over-Sands, plus Crosby Lions President Tom Tyson and

Crosby’s Soroptimists are delighted to welcome another new member. Jan Branigan’s roots are in Crosby and she returned to the area after a varied career. In Jan’s life Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, Crosby, has been a feature and she has, over the years, met some local Soroptimists through the school. Girlguiding is another ‘constant’ and Jan retains active links with the organisation. Jan’s Soroptimist mentor is Pat Williams. Through a mutual interest in sailing they – and their husbands – have known each other for many years. On behalf of SI Crosby President Jill Boggan officially welcomed Jan, and wished her much happiness as a Soroptimist.

Chris Hobbs, Practice Consultant for the charity SafeLives, was Crosby Soroptimists’ first speaker for the new year. SafeLives was founded in 2004. Its original emphasis was on supporting people (overwhelmingly women) who were coping with the ‘fallout’ of domestic violence and abuse. The charity provided Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) each of whom acted as advocate on a woman’s behalf, helping her through the court processes. SafeLives then set up for each woman and her IDVA a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) to create a safety plan for her family. In just over 10 years the charity had worked with 60,000 adult victims of abuse and more than 100,000 children, SafeLives’ strategy has expanded. It is dedicated to ending domestic abuse, “for everyone and for good”. It covers the full range from coercive control to high-risk (homicide) situations. Much of its work is ‘behind the

December saw Crosby Soroptimists busy  with active assistance, festive fun ... and Santa support. Once again members volunteered at St Joseph’s Hospice, Thornton, for the ‘Light Up A Life’ service. Visitors always appreciate hot drinks and mince pies on a cold night, and Soroptimists were on hand to help out. It’s a busy evening, but a great opportunity to support the hospice. In response to a plea from Thornton Parish Council, SI Crosby members helped Santa get to the Christmas lights ‘switch on’ in the village. His eco-friendly decorated bike ensured he was on time! The Soroptimists were able to collect for local causes during the festivities, plus the parish council added a generous donation. Pedal-powered sustainable Santa was ‘hit’ with everyone. Santa also needed the Soroptimists’ assistance when wild windy weather grounded Rudolph and the sleigh. This help meant he was still able to

Crosby’s Soroptimists showcased an award-winning Programme Action project at the South Lancashire regional meeting. A ditty, based on the project “One Stitch at a Time”, tells how the club’s members have created patchwork blankets for the charity Knit for Peace. As member Terry Francis read the poem, the Soroptimists demonstrated with simple props of yarn and squares, to show what they have achieved. Also on show were individually hand-crafted blankets, indicating how some members have taken their skills beyond simple squares. Crosby’s display was one of many at the regional meeting. The event gave clubs the opportunity to showcase Programme Action work that really does ‘make a difference’. SI Crosby also set up a fundraising stall, with President Jill Boggan turning saleswoman for the day. The Christmas-themed tree decorations made by club members proved so popular that £200 was raised for the club’s charity ‘pot’.

Dabbers at the ready? Crosby Soroptimists raised £400 at a fabulous bingo night. In partnership with St Benet’s RC Church, Netherton, the fundraising team and President Jill lined up flower garlands, goodie bags, music and a forfeit or two – and the crowds flocked in. Bingo is a popular social event locally. The games are run with such efficiency that the Soroptimists had but to watch and marvel. Playing for a line or a full house, competition was keen. Cards were scrutinised closely. A false call? Cue a chicken hat and a noisy rendition of “Chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken – lay  little egg for me!”. A correct call – cue more music and loud applause. Pam, the Soroptimists’ (apprentice) caller, kept her cool – even when die-hard bingo players good-naturedly corrected her number rhymes. In bingoland, she also discovered, it’s not “Zero” but “Oh”.

Crosby Soroptimists have once again made a special effort in support of their local foodbank. At a recent meeting, members brought in festive goodies, to be added to the foodbank’s bags in the run-up to Christmas. South Sefton Foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust’s nationwide network. Each foodbank gives three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred as being in crisis. Soroptimist Chris Chua-Short, a volunteer at the foodbank, said “Our club supports the foodbank all year round. However, we always try to donate special items at this time of year. People who are going through tough times need to feel that someone cares, and this is one way we can help.”  

At a recent meeting Crosby Soroptimists welcomed a young speaker and a new member. Firstly, Lele Seasman gave a lively account of her recent trip to Canada. A local Guide, Lele went through a long selection process. Finally she received the news that she had been chosen to join the UK group for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lele then spent many months fundraising – which is when SI Crosby members decided to offer some financial support. This summer the British Guides stayed at a lakeside Girl Scout camp in Quebec province. In the action-packed week, daily challenges tested the girls’ stamina, teamwork and sense of adventure. From swimming in the lake to ziplining, Lele tackled everything, acquiring new skills along the way. Following hectic camp life the Guides took in the sights of Toronto and Niagara Falls. Plus, they all enjoyed the novelty of shopping in

Crosby Soroptimists’ autumn fair was a great success, raising over £1,000. Club members set up a variety of stalls, including a bottle tombola, books, ‘pre-loved’, lucky dip and handcrafted Hallowe’en decorations. There was, of course, a raffle – hampers full of tasty treats and toiletries. And henna hand-painting anyone? The Soroptimists also ran a café throughout the day, with home-made cakes and scones. The fair was organised in partnership with Susie of Bluebell Stalls, a local creative business. Soroptimists Sandy and Abby, who co-ordinated the event, acknowledged her help. “Several of Susie’s regular artisans took a stall, so there was a wide variety of crafts and skills on display. The hall was a-buzzing all day.” As ever, the Soroptimists took the opportunity to set up Ping-Pong-Potty. This popular challenge is raising funds to ‘twin’ another toilet – this time in the new welcome centre at