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

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

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  # 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Author Sandra Jowett
Do you have a story to tell? The Big Story Challenge

Do you have a story to tell? The Big Story Challenge

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Do you have a story to tell? Club members Sue Williams, Sue Slocombe and Sandra Jowett did. The money raised will support Empowering Girls in Nepal. Their challenge was to write a short memoir, a reflection on childhood and of their early years. We have already raised £270 toward the SIGBI Empowering Girls in Nepal project. You can donate on TheBigStory website but be sure to put Soroptimist in your name to ensure it goes to Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland's joint project with Chorachori. The stories are very different. They reflect that our experience of childhood can be very different.  They will be published in the Autumn as part of the BIG STORY CHALLENGE. Many girls and young women in Nepal are unable to access an education and training that will help take them out of poverty and give them a chance of
Pamper Bag for NHS Covid-19 staff
What are we doing during Covid-19 lockdown? Pamper packs, Scrubs and Zoom

What are we doing during Covid-19 lockdown? Pamper packs, Scrubs and Zoom

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What are we doing during the Covid-19 Lockdown?  Many of us may be isolated in our homes but Harrogate and District Soroptimists are busy despite the COVID-19 lockdown.  Club members are working together to support NHS and front line staff during the #covid-19 pandemic. Zoom is helping  us to stay in touch and our buddying system ensues regular telephone contact with members. It’s business as usual. Some members are using their sewing skills and making much needed scrubs for the NHS with the Harrogate Scrubbers. From the basic material to three sets ready for the front line.   Fifty Pamper Bags are now distributed to NHS staff staying at local hotels and front line staff  working at Harrogate District Hospital. The  NHS Nightingale Field  Hospital is now stood down but in place should it be need.                 Domestic violence

Club members Visiting Allerton Waste Recovery Park
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover – turning our waste into energy

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover – turning our waste into energy

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Club members Visiting Allerton Waste Recovery Park Do you ever wonder what happens to the rubbish you put in your black bin bag? Club members visited Allerton Waste Recovery Park to find out what happens to North Yorkshire and York’s rubbish. Its mantra is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover. Rubbish into Engergy Turning our rubbish into energy – enough electricity for 40,000 homes. It’s sifted, sorted and incinerated at over 850 degrees Celsius. Why black plastic is so bad? Its not detectable by the infrared sensors that sort out plastic waste for recycling. The average household generates 1 tonne of rubbish a year! We saw how much rubbish is collected in just one week (and this was after everything recyclable is removed). Frightening. Energy not Landfill The content of the black wheelie bins used to go into landfill. Now more than 90% is processed by the

Iris Newbould with SIGB President Sue Williams
Up in the skies and down to earth – Club members attend Yorkshire Conference

Up in the skies and down to earth – Club members attend Yorkshire Conference

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Club members spent a fantastic day at the Yorkshire Air Museum when we attended the  Soroptimist International of Yorkshire Conference on 29th June. The theme of conference was, ‘From Behind the Scenes to the Front Line’. We were privileged to hear from Iris Newbould, now 94 yrs old and full if vim, and her life as young Land Girl. WW2 like WW1 opened up job opportunities for women. Corporal Katherine Height gave us an insight into what’s life like now for a woman serving in today’s RAF.   The 29th June is Armed Forces Day. and at 12.10 a Hurricane provided a Fly Past tipping it’s wings on the 3rd Approach. So emotional. It reminded us of all the sacrifices Iris’s generation made ‘just doing our job’ to give us a future. Excellent representation from SI Harrogate & District  with 14 members attending and nearly all