This has been my first year as SI Great Yarmouth’s Programme Action officer and it’s been really insightful into the importance of PA for our club, region, federation and also as an international organisation. Being able to meet with other PA officers from our regional sister clubs and talk with them as well as attend conference virtually over the last two years has also really educated me on SI as a much larger organisation than I first appreciated! Before detailing each of our PA events from this club year, I must thank members for their continued support and guidance whilst I’ve been finding my feet in the role.
Given that the first 3 months of this club year has resulted in Covid restrictions, PA was very challenging. However throughout the summer, members have been providing donations of clothes, etc to our local women’s refuge as well as financial donations to local charities such as the Great Yarmouth Relief in Need Foundation due to the effects of the Covid pandemic on families. On 5th July members came together at President Lindas house for a summer BBQ to celebrate NHS Celebration Day, which raised £55 for NHS charities. As well as this, on 13th July SIGY received confirmation that our donations have meant that 698 Mangrove trees have been planted at Dulki Island in Gosaba Block in the Sunderbans in partnership with SI South Kolkata and Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage. This was part of “Planting Trees for a Brilliant Future” in celebration of SI 100-year anniversary.
In August I set up SI East Norfolk Sixth Form College School Club, sponsored by SI Great Yarmouth and all their projects are outlined in their own report which I’ve written and has been sent out with these reports.
Over this year we have also been pursuing a tree planting project with the local council to be placed at the Waterways/ Boating Lake on the Seafront in Great Yarmouth and we will be continuing with his over this club year. Members of SIGY also attended Great Yarmouth’s Remembrance Day service where past president Pat laid a wreath representing SI. We also had a collection of food and toys for Great Yarmouth Salvation Army on 15th November as part of their “Tins and Toys” appeal for Christmas this year. As well as this we have given a donation for Christmas to the Great Yarmouth Relief in Need Foundation who support people in the Great Yarmouth area and also had a tree up in the local St Nicholas church to raise money for the church and the work that they do.
In January club members were kindly donated some of Aneeta Prems books from the Freedom charity with the hope that we can continue to support this with projects this club year. We’ve also begun planning for the Leadership Award which was launched on social media and within Great Yarmouth on 8th March 2022. This will hopefully run into this club year providing leadership opportunities to young people in the local area.
In April we’ve begun donating to our friendship clubs to support those in need and affected by the war in Ukraine as well as planning on running a quiz night on 12th May and selling sunflower broaches to also raise money for this cause.
Over this club year I’ve enjoyed getting involved in the Programme Action role and would like to thank members of SIGY as well as the other LAR Programme Action Officers for their ongoing support throughout this journey. I very much look forward to continuing with essential projects for the next club year as Programme Action Officer again.
India Loveland