Skip links

Maureen at the end of the Virtual North Run
Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

in Tags

JUST ‘B’ JUST GIVING PAGE We now have the exciting development of creating our Just Giving page with Just ‘B’. Just Click on Just B or follow the link below.  This will take you straight through to the page. Be assured that all money donated will go to supporting Just ‘B’ and its work in the community. Watch the youtube video about us and why we are supporting them. Please feel free to pass the link and this information on to friends and family. We have already raised more than £2000.  Help us reach our target of £3500. You will help support bereaved families. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SoroptimistssupportJustB

Challenging the status quo
Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

in Tags
Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District – Celebrates ‘Forgotten Women’ on International Women’s Day 8thMarch 2021 Seventy Soroptimists and guests Zoomed in from all over the Yorkshire, the UK and the World to celebrate the unveiling of a Harrogate Civic Society Plaque,  in recognition of Dr Kathleen Rutherford on International Women’s Day.  A woman, described as a legend in her own life time in a 1970’s Yorkshire Television Calendar News Special about her life, now all but forgotten. Dr Kathleen was a founder member and first Club President of Soroptimist International of Harrogate in 1933.  The Club was also delighted to welcome award winning journalist Nicky Harley, whose ‘Forgotten Women’ campaign kicked off our quest to find out more about our founder President.   Civic Society Brown Plaque scheme The Club always knew of Dr Kathleen but in 2019 Nicky contacted the Club as part
‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

in Tags
International Women’s Day -  Forgotten Women Dr Kathleen Rutherford M.B.E Harrogate Civic Society Heritage Plaque for Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE   Forgotten Women In  2019 Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Club received an email from journalist Nicky Harley. Nicky’s mission is to increase the number of women recognised by a Blue Plaque by bringing attention to the ‘Forgotten Women’ -  well known during their lifetime but often forgotten since.  One of these women was Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE. A name well known to the Club as one of the founding members in 1933 and first President but there was little known about the person. Doing our research Using the information provided by Nicky, Club member Rachel Richardson’s research revealed a whole lot more. This  includes a Yorkshire Television Calendar programme made in 1970 about her life.  Dr Kathleen, recognised as being a ‘Legend in
The tent in the garden
Sleep Out for Homelessness

Sleep Out for Homelessness

in Tags
SLEEP OUT FOR HOMELESSNESS – EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A HOME Many young people are now homeless. Everyone should have a home. Club member Heather Shipman braved the freezing weather to experience what it is like to be homeless. A tent in her back garden was her only shelter of the night of what was the coldest night of the year so far.  Heather is raising awareness and funds to support the two charities, Carecent and SASH . Carecent is a Breakfast Centre in York for homeless, unemployed and socially excluded people.  SASH's aim is to prevent youth homelessness in North and East Yorkshire. Heather sleeping in the tent Heather thanked all her Soroptimist friends on behalf of herself  and the organisers  who are aware of all the support that has come from Soroptimists.  They have asked that Heather pass on their special thanks to everyone for
16 Days of Activism – Orange the World – Stop Violence Against Women

16 Days of Activism – Orange the World – Stop Violence Against Women

in Tags

  # Stop Violence Against Women Harrogate and District Soroptimists ‘Believe to Achieve Gender Equality’. For 16 Days of Activism starting 25th November to 10th December, Soroptimists everywhere will #OrangetheWorld.   Each of the 16 Days we celebrate marks a step towards women’s rights and a safe space for them.  Soroptimist International believes that women’s rights are human rights and through our work in the communities we work with that objective. Club members are actively involved in supporting the local Women’s Refuge. The Club recently provided household appliances and bedding to help women and their families escaping domestic violence set up home free from fear. ‘Loves Me. Loves Me Not’ bookmarks on healthy relationships, provided by the Club, are now available to midwives in the Harrogate District  who are caring for young mothers. Pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of domestic abuse. President Sandra  said, “The

Saint Michael's Hospice Care for Christmas
Supporting Saint Michaels and ‘Just B’ Christmas Appeal – Care for Christmas

Supporting Saint Michaels and ‘Just B’ Christmas Appeal – Care for Christmas

in Tags

This year, the year of the Covid Pandemic, shops around the UK have closed their doors for much of the year. The impact on the charity shops, one of the main sources of income for many charities, has been significant. Not just on over the counter sales but also with regard to their volunteer workforce –  many of whom are over seventy. ‘Just B’ at Saint Michael’s Hospice is our President Sandra charity for 2020/21 So how do we help? ‘Care for Christmas’ is the our local hospice Saint Michael’s campaign to help raise funds.. Every £1 you raise will help people living with terminal illness and bereavement, this Christmas and beyond. You can donate directly to Saint Michael’s at  this Just Giving page Saint Michael’s Hospice Care for Christmas

In Remembrance – Lest we forget

In Remembrance – Lest we forget

in

A somber and quiet day as President Sandra laid a wreath of Poppies at Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves. So many young men, mostly from Canada, Australia and New Zealand who served in their Countries Royal Airforce. So far from home. President Sandra also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Harrogate. #Soroptimist #Lestweforget Shrouded in mist in #Knaresborough, #Ripon, #Wetherby and Pateley Bridge, Club members Christabel, Nicola, Heather , Elsie and Denyse laid wreaths on behalf of the Club in Remembrance of those who have lost their lives in conflict. We remember those that gave their lives so we could live ours. LEST WE FORGET. #soroptimists #Lessweforget

Club Friendship Links Unite on Zoom
Friendship Day Links Across the World in Common Purpose

Friendship Day Links Across the World in Common Purpose

in Tags

Great to meet up with our International Friendship Links again. Especially as the 3 October is Friendship Day.  A real opportunity to share what we are doing and how we are doing it! President Sandra lit a candle to celebrate Soroptimist Clubs throughout the world. We share a common purpose – to make a difference to the lives of women and girls. For instance, SI Willimantic, Connecticut, USA has a fantastic way to raise awareness and involve businesses in stopping violence against women in their  ‘I take a stand to stop violence against women’ campaign. SI Blantyre, Malawi  are funding and supporting the building of a library to help improve literacy and the development of IT skills at a local school. SI Milford Haven in Wales is helping keeping the beaches in Pembrokeshire clean with organised litter picking events. We also heard what is happening

Maureen at the end of the Virtual North Run
Virtual Great North Run – Maureen runs for Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just B

Virtual Great North Run – Maureen runs for Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just B

in Tags

The cancellation of the Great North Run didn’t stop Club Member Maureen from running. Mapping a route through the streets of Harrogate she took part in the Virtual Great North Run on the 13th September. Maureen completed the 13.1 miles in record time. Club members waited on the Stray to greet her. All the money raised will go to Club President Sandra Frier’s chosen charity. Saint Michael’s Hospice and Just ‘B’ provide support for those who have life limiting conditions and their loved ones. Just ‘B’ provide an excellent bereavement service. Maureen has completed a number of Great North runs over the years. This is her first virtual one. Perfect weather conditions coupled with the quiet early morning traffic made sure there was no delays. She completed the Half Marathon in 2 hrs and 59 minutes. We are delighted to announce that Maureen has so far

Kate
‘Loves me, Loves me not’ Bookmarks – Healthy relationships for new mothers

‘Loves me, Loves me not’ Bookmarks – Healthy relationships for new mothers

in Tags

Loves Me, Loves Me Not. The bookmarks produced by SI Yorkshire are finding their way to young mothers in Harrogate District courtesy of Kate Mortimer. Kate, a local midwife, finds the bookmarks really useful in her work with new mothers. She had nearly exhausted her supply and contacted the Club via Facebook. We are pleased we could replenish her stocks. The pregnancy and the birth of a baby brings joy to most couples but for some new mothers it can be time of increased risk of domestic abuse. The bookmarks give helpful guidance to what is a ‘good relationship’. Soroptimists across the world campaign to stop violence against women. The Covid-19 pandemic has seen domestic abuse rates rise due to lockdown, financial pressures and lack of access to support services.         The book marks and credit card size version are also available