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What did members do on their visit to Viareggio 19th – 23rd July 2019?

What did members do on their visit to Viareggio 19th – 23rd July 2019?

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9 members visited our friendship link club SI Viareggio Versilia in Italy, https://www.soroptimist.it/club/viareggio-versilia/attivita/ enjoying a busy time with social events and exchange of ideas about projects with our Italian  Soroptimist sisters. We heard about their award winning project to improve confidence and safety for blind and partially sighted women by teaching self defence. Viareggio member Sara was instrumental in developing this project. We visited the skyline plaque at the harbour  commissioned by Viareggio members and inspired by a similar plaque on Grange Promenade.   We were very moved by a visit to  a mural – binar10 commissioned by SI Viareggio to commemorate the terrible freight train explosion which killed 32 people in the vicinity of Viareggio station and left many more badly injured. Famous artists gave their services free and the Soroptimists helped with expenses. See the photos [new_royalslider id=”15″] We talked about our own

Outing to Wreay Sat 5th July 2019

Outing to Wreay Sat 5th July 2019

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In glorious sunshine a group of members set off for their summer outing.  Their destination was Wreay, a tiny village just south of Carlisle where they had arranged to meet one of the “Twelve Men” of Wreay to learn about a remarkable woman, Sarah Losh, and to see her work in St Mary’s Church.  Sarah lived from 1786 to 1853; she was highly educated and, together with her sister, well travelled throughout France, Italy and Germany.  Her family were wealthy landowners, and her father regularly entertained Coleridge and Wordsworth.   When her sister Catherine died, Sarah sought permission from the church authorities to rebuild the derelict church in her memory, ‘on condition that I should be left unrestricted as to the mode of building it’.  Surprisingly she was given permission.  Using local materials and local workmen, she designed a simple but highly unusual chapel, filled with

What are Grange Soroptimists doing to tackle FGM?

What are Grange Soroptimists doing to tackle FGM?

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Grange Soroptimists make bracelets for Grange  midwife Cath Holland who is pivotal in eradicating FGM ( Female Genital Mutilation) in  Pokot in Kenya. She founded a charity Beyond FGM https://www.beyondfgm.com/ and works with others to prevent FGM. Cath spoke about FGM and her work at the NW Soroptimists Regional meeting and was presented with  bracelets by Grange and Lancaster Soroptimists. The bracelets are given to the girls at their  alternative Rite of Passage ceremony.   WHAT IS FGM? Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, including the clitoris and labia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The harmful effects of FGM can include haemorrhage, shock, sepsis, psychological trauma and even death. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such

Wellbeing Evening 4th June 2019

Wellbeing Evening 4th June 2019

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Grange Soroptimists had a most  relaxing and enjoyable evening with taster sessions of yoga, circle dancing and relaxation with Cathy Lubelska, Helen Brooks and Tracey Fielding. This was part of our programme fitting in with Soroptimists in the UK  who are concentrating on Mental Health with their  SoroptimistsThinkOnIt campaign Some Shocking Statistics 29% of women have mental health issues compared with 17% of men. 30-60% of women with mental health problems have experienced domestic violence. 2/3 of dementia cases are women. 1 in 12 young women self-harm. 20% of women have PTSD compared to 8 % of men. 56% of young trafficked survivors have depression. Statistics from The Mental Health Foundation. This time it was our chance to improve our mental health after working to help others in the community Singing for Memory Team celebrate their 5th year If you would like information about joining

What are Grange Soroptimists doing on June 5th to mark World Environment Day?

What are Grange Soroptimists doing on June 5th to mark World Environment Day?

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Grange Soroptimists will be handing out leaflets in Grange, Ulverston and Barrow suggesting ten easy steps that we can all take in our daily lives to reduce our carbon footprint. A display will also be on show in Grange Library for one week from 1st to 8th June, along with copies of the leaflet. If you are interested in becoming a member or finding more about our club CONTACT US

What are Grange Soroptimists doing for Mental Health Awareness week ?

What are Grange Soroptimists doing for Mental Health Awareness week ?

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Mental Health Awareness week May 13-19th  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week will be  marked by Grange Soroptimists  supporting people living with dementia with one of our regular  weekly Singing for Memory sessions on 16th May. Soroptimists in the UK are concentrating on Mental Health with their  SoroptimistsThinkOnIt campaign.https://sigbi.org/members/2018/theme-for-2018-2019-think-on-it/ Grange Soroptimists have just  celebrated 5 years of working to provide support, stimulation and fun for people and their carers living with dementia Singing for Memory Team celebrate their 5th year For further informatiomn about our singing sessions see  Singing for Memory If you want more information about becoming a member CONTACT US

Grange Soroptimists celebrate 65 years of Soroptimism

Grange Soroptimists celebrate 65 years of Soroptimism

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Club members enjoyed a glass of prosecco and celebration cake at the AGM  on 7th May 2019 marking 65 years of the club working to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide. There was fun and friendship and also a quiet minute to reflect on all the projects the club has done over the years. The current main ones are below Work on the Sensory Garden Singing for Memory How are Grange Soroptimists helping Barrow Women’s Centre? Supporting our local midwife in her quest to end Female Genital Multilation Candles were lit for Soroptimist International, Soroptimist imnternational Great Britain and Ireland and finally SI Grange – over – Sands I If

Singing for Memory Team celebrate their 5th year

Singing for Memory Team celebrate their 5th year

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Grange Soroptimists are proud to celebrate 5 years of organising and providing structured singing sessions at Singing for Memory for people and their carers living with dementia. Janice and her team of volunteers (mostly Grange Soroptimists) have clocked up an amazing 3,330 volunteer hours and provided stimulation, fun and support to 88 different people living with dementia, with a total of 2,554 attendances at the weekly sessions! The volunteers have fun and get great satisfaction participating in such a worthwhile project. If you want to know  more see our Singing for Memory page Singing for Memory If you would like to find out more about the club and becoming a member CONTACT US