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16 Days of Activism – 26 November

16 Days of Activism – 26 November

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SI Glasgow City encourages everyone to support women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free of violence today and everyday. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

A collage of images showing a marquee with women and a Soroptimist International Glasgow City sign.
SI Glasgow City display at Pollok Park in July

SI Glasgow City display at Pollok Park in July

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SI Glasgow City members organised a display at Pollok Park next to the refurbished Burrell Museum. Club Membership Officer Madeleine had designed colourful displays about Club project work with a SIGBI Day of Service focus and information on other activities. The members chatted to visitors telling them of the work of Soroptimists. Some women opted to receive more information and they will be invited to come along to a club meeting in September after the summer break.  

Detective Sargeant Chris Hughes and Detective Constable Stewart Fleming of Police Scotland
Tackling human trafficking and domestic abuse

Tackling human trafficking and domestic abuse

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SI Glasgow City had their first face to face speaker meeting for 2 years on Wednesday, March 16th. The speakers, Detective Sargeant Chris Hughes and Detective Constable Stewart Fleming of Police Scotland, provided updates regarding human trafficking and domestic abuse within Scotland. Unfortunately, both areas have increased over the last two years. Police Scotland is using social media to highlight these issues and raise awareness within the general public including secondary schoolchildren. Two video resources are: a video titled ‘Don’t be that Guy?’ accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVcu8Hwv8u8 and an explanation of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-MHi1zR5E BBC Radio Four recently aired a 30minute programme about sexual violence which explores how men can address their attitudes to women. This can be accessed at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0015mgx

Donation cheque to the Teapot Trust from SI Glasgow City.
SI Glasgow City recently raised funds for the ‘Teapot Trust’

SI Glasgow City recently raised funds for the ‘Teapot Trust’

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At the Club meeting on 15 May 2019, Presidents Christine and Fiona asked that members raise funds for the 'Teapot Trust' https://www.teapot-trust.org/ during their year of office. The Teapot Trust is a Scottish charity providing a UK wide programme of art therapy and creative interventions in hospitals, to support the wellbeing of children and young people with chronic conditions and their families. Over the last year, members organised 'tea parties' in their homes using a blue china teapot, and attendees gave donations for the refreshments. As well as these individual efforts, the club held a Big Tea Party in February 2020 and in total we raised the wonderful sum of £2,000 for the Teapot Trust. As you can see, the blue teapot has had lots of outings during the past year and we thank those who took part for their time, energy and amazing donations!
Support for Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow

Support for Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow

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Since 2012 the members of SI Glasgow City have been supporting Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow (TWG), which is a multi-agency service for women after their release from prison on completion of their custodial sentence. Each month two members deliver basic toiletries, sanitary products and foods for emergency packs as shown in the images. The members have raised funds to purchase two electric sewing machines for the art and craft sessions. More recently funds were used to purchase cooking utensils and pots for the cookery lessons. A walking club has now been organised and the club bought water bottles for the women.

SI Glasgow City is looking at mental heath and the stigma surrounding it.

SI Glasgow City is looking at mental heath and the stigma surrounding it.

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In early May, our club organised an evening of Friendship, Mindfulness and Meditation to help members begin their work to ‘Think On It’. We were joined by our friends from SI Paisley and SI Hamilton. Ms Clare Bennet, a Transformational Life Coach helped us to learn how mindfulness can help us to cope with life’s stressors leading to us being better able to support others who need us. Following a break for refreshments we began to experience some meditation which is a useful tool to keep us ‘grounded’ and promote good mental health. Comments about the evening were very favourable and members felt that they would continue to use these strategies on their own.

Club Members celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 at the Scottish Parliament

Club Members celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 at the Scottish Parliament

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Eight members of SI Glasgow City joined over 400 women at the International Women’s Day celebration at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 09 March 2019. The event was organised by Scottish Women’s Convention and the club members were delighted that three staff from Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow also attended the event. Attendees were welcomed to the Scottish Parliament by Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani and Agnes Tolmie, Chair of Scottish Women’s Convention. A stimulating programme of speakers engaged all the attendees. Anne, Andrea and Sharron of TWG thoroughly enjoyed the speakers as well as the surroundings as none had been in the Scottish Parliament. Some Club members enjoyed a walk in the moonlight up the Royal Mile as they headed home after a great day!  

A special celebration!

A special celebration!

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On 5 December 2010, the day SI Glasgow City was Chartered, members attended a dinner at the Grand Central Hotel to celebrate this special event. SI Glasgow Central and SI Glasgow West had amalgamated, and were subsequently to be joined by former SI Glasgow South members. The Club has since then gone from strength to strength. To mark its 8th anniversary, members gathered on 5 December at Lok’s Bar and Kitchen in Glasgow to enjoy a Christmas meal, a slice of specially baked ‘Charter’ cake and of course a visit from Santa!     Two long standing members, Elizabeth McClure and Heather Thomas, whose dedicated hard work had helped to establish SI Glasgow City, were presented with flowers and Certificates of Honorary Life Membership of the Club by President Myrtle. A good time was had by all!

They came and enjoyed the (fundraising) Cabaret!

They came and enjoyed the (fundraising) Cabaret!

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In its long history, Glasgow’s Merchants’ House may have hosted many a tea party but Saturday’s Soroptimist Matinee Cabaret Fundraiser for Mary’s Meals must surely be unique. More than one hundred guests were welcomed to the event by President of SI Glasgow City, Myrtle Peterkin. Elegant and eloquent as ever, she outlined Soroptimist principles and reminded the gathering that the event was in aid of Mary’s Meals for their continued services in providing a daily meal, in schools, to 1.3 million children in 17 of the world’s poorest countries. The entertainment was given by husband and wife team Gordon Cree and Cheryl Forbes, both outstanding soloists, whose powerful voices filled The Grand Hall with favourite melodies from musical shows, traditional refrains and comic songs performed with evident enjoyment to the delight of the audience. While our talented duo took a break, guests enjoyed a chat