We were so impressed by the suggestion posted by SI Preston about their plan to recycle tablet blister packs that we  decided to join the scheme! From now on, we are all collecting empty blister packs from friends and families and we can take them to Superdrug in the Derbion Centre (previously Intu), where they will be collected and sent off to TerraCycle for recycling. Once collected, the empty blister packets are separated by polymer type and cleaned (if necessary). The material is then extruded into plastic pellets to make new recycled products. This programme offers 100 TerraCycle® points for each kilogram of empty medicine blister packets​ sent. Superdrug will convert points raised to provide funds for Marie Curie. For example: 500 grams = 50 TerraCycle® points 1 kilogram = 100 TerraCycle® points 2.5 kilograms = 250 TerraCycle® points

Our next meeting will be on Thursday April 1st (no joke!) at 7pm via Zoom. We will be having a session regarding Safeguarding so that we are fully informed when we are able to start getting out there and working with women and girls again. If you would like to join us, please contact us at soropsderby@gmail.com We always welcome potential new members – come along and see what you think before committing!

  The lovely Shelley, volunteer with Derby Community Parenting programme, managed to come and collect the bags that we had made up for them. Not quite as sunny and warm as last time she came, but she reported that the service remains very busy throughout the pandemic and they have had to adjust to providing a lot of services via Zoom. They have, however, been able to provide a few birth partners when required, which is brilliant support for the women involved.

We are introducing some social meetings to help build on our friendships and enable us to generate ideas and them off each other in a more social environment. Come and join our Zoom Treasure Hunt on March 23rd at 7pm!

S I Derby have been busy making bundles to help new mums who are being supported by the Derby Community Parenting Project https://www.ripplez.co.uk/Pages/Category/pregnant-25-and-under

Four of our members had planned to take part in the Bakewell Pink Ribbon Walk 2021 in support of Breast Cancer Now. Unfortunately the main event has had to be cancelled due to the ongoing restrictions. However, several of us still plan to do our own sponsored walk to raise funds for this cause. Details on how you can donate are found below: https://www.justgiving.com/team/soroptimistsagainstbreastcancer?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=team&utm_content=soroptimistsagainstbreastcancer&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=776f343ca1eb4b86a6092c804027676e

At our Zoom October 2020 meeting our speaker was Mary Storrie from the Rosie – May Foundation. Mary told us about the history of the foundation and the work they are doing with girls and women in Sri Lanka. The next morning we learnt that Mary was the East Midlands nominee for the Pride of Britain award; a very inspiring woman and  SI Derby hope to help with fundraising for the pink tuk tuks which the Foundation buy and renovate and then they train sri lankan women to drive the pink tuk tuks.