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President Julia supports Paul Sartori as one of her chosen charities for the year

President Julia supports Paul Sartori as one of her chosen charities for the year

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What a lovely first Dinner Meeting with President Julia Brady, and her guest speaker, Sandra Dade, Charity Manager with Paul Sartori Foundation. Sandra talked about the history of how the Foundation started, supporting people and families affected by Cancer, and where it is today, supporting several other long term illnesses – Motor neurone disease, strokes, and the range of help and care on offer. Anyone wanting more information on how you can be supported in Pembrokeshire, please contact Tŷ Paul Sartori, Winch Lane, Hwlffordd, Sir Benfro SA61 1RP Paul Sartori House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1RP 01437 763223 01437 765755 www.paulsartori.org Keep an eye out for fundraising events throughout the year.

A sad farewell to Mavis

A sad farewell to Mavis

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It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of one of our longest serving members, Mavis Pryce-Jones.  We will all miss her immensely in Soroptimists for the great fun, friendship and experiences she shared with us all. Mavis was a huge part of our club for so many years representing us as Regional President and travelling all over to represent club and region and she was so proud of her daughter Heidi when she was our Regional President recently replicating her mother’s success. This is a beautiful photo of Mavis attending the Belfast Conference where she thoroughly enjoyed being amongst friends from all over the World. We said goodbye to Mavis in a memorable service celebrating the life she had enjoyed to the full with her family and friends from all walks of life, including her much-loved Soroptimist family. A Soroptimist tribute was

New President installed at April AGM

New President installed at April AGM

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At our AGM on 5th April, 2023  President Julia Brady took over from immediate Past President Margaret Slater-Harries, with Susie Blacklaw-Jones becoming President Elect. Dr. Ann Barton was praised for her loyal membership, in that it was 40 years ago tonight, she was made President of SI Haverfordwest. We enjoyed a lovely evening full of friendship and fun and are all looking forward to a fabulous year with Julia and her Team. President Julia Brady (centre)  President Elect Susie Blacklaw-Jones (on Julia’s left) Immediate Past President Margaret Slater-Harries (on Julia’s right) President Julia and President Elect Susie Members after enjoying an evening of fun, friendship and fabulous food at our regular meeting place, Mariners Hotel Haverfordwest President Julia and Ann Barton who became our President 40 years ago and remains an active member today!

Sandy Bear – Our Nominated Charity 2022/23

Sandy Bear – Our Nominated Charity 2022/23

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Sandy Bear, supporting bereaved children, is our chosen charity for 2022.  Soroptimists wanted to offer them practical help in addition to raising funds.  Whereas the rooms used for the children’s counselling sessions are bright, child appropriate and welcoming, it was felt the Family Room could benefit from a DIY makeover.  The Sandy Bear Team put together a Wish List for the room, where the adults, (who are themselves grieving) are prepared for any follow up questions from the children and share ideas on supporting them.  We put our skills – painting, drilling, furniture removal, flat-pack furniture assembly, interior design, tea making and biscuit eating – into making the room a comforting space that will enhance the valuable work done by Sandy Bear. We have some before and after photos and I’m sure everyone will agree that the end result makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Not In My Name

Not In My Name

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Once again in 2022 we were delighted to support the Not in My Name campaign by providing Stewards for the Candlelight Vigil organised in the streets of Haverfordwest by Joyce Watson MS.  The evening concluded with presentations from a range of interesting speakers all working hard to bring an end to violence against women. Despite atrocious weather the event was well supported – the weather in fact being a timely reminder for us all that we were “battling the storm” for just one evening – many women have no choice other than to “battle for their safety” on a daily basis.  We are proud to support them!

You shall go to the Ball!

You shall go to the Ball!

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Following a donation of beautiful dresses from Pembrokeshire Care, Share and Give, and with other private donations and  additions using club funds, we wanted to enable every girl to ‘Go to the Ball’.  In partnership with Haverfordwest High School, a pop-up shop in 2022 allowed us to offer dresses on loan, free of charge, to all students to attend their school prom. For some students, this alleviated the financial pressure on family resources, while other students embraced the sustainability and ecological ideal of wearing a pre-loved dress. We are working towards extending the project in 2023 and will also be offering Pembrokeshire College students the chance to borrow a dress and make a difference. We were pleased to win a Regional Award for this project and were asked to present at Federation Conference in Belfast in October 2022 – we are delighted that the idea

Willow Planting and Sculptures

Willow Planting and Sculptures

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Some of our members recently attended a willow sculpture workshop organised by Haverfordwest Town Council.  This is all part of a willow planting and sculpture initiative at The Saltings in Haverfordwest.  The afternoon was great fun and was a taster session to encourage us to make our own sculpture at The Saltings in due course.  Although not yet at a standard ready for display at the Saltings we managed to make some recognisable – if not all practical – sculptures!  Not bad for beginners we thought! Members have also been involved in the planting of 300 Willows on The Saltings which will be used in the future to make the scultpures. We are delighted to be involved in this exciting an worthwhile initiative. Photos will follow  

Santa’s Helpers

Santa’s Helpers

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Sometimes Santa needs a little help and our members were delighted to step up recently with donations to PATCH for their Christmas Appeal 2021. PATCH are a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects of poverty for individuals and families within the county of Pembrokeshire. The gifts donated are for age ranges birth to 17 years old, both male and female. In the picture are Deeena Irving, President, and members of SI Haverfordwest with staff members from PATCH.

We make Adama’s dream a reality

We make Adama’s dream a reality

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Soroptimists of Haverfordwest were approached by Kim Allen, Communities at Work within Pembrokeshire County Council after she saw one of our Soroptimists “What and who we are” leaflets.  She thought “These are the ladies who may be able to help Adama” who was one of her clients.   Adama 31, originally from the Gambia has resided in Wales for most of her life and has always dreamt of becoming a nurse but getting there was proving difficult.  Thanks to Kim, Adama was helped to apply to the NHS Apprenticeship Scheme.   From the 700 who applied, Adama was one of 16 successful applicants.  In order to complete her studies, she would need easy access to a computer to undertake her coursework alongside her work at the hospital and looking after her 4 year old son.   Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls

Heidi celebrates a successful year as Regional President

Heidi celebrates a successful year as Regional President

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All members of SI Haverfordwest have been extremely proud this year to have one of our own leading us at Regional Level.  One of our longstanding members, Heidi Lewis, has just completed an extremely successful year as President of SI Wales South.  Despite the extremely challenging times we have all faced as a result of Covid Heidi has led us cheerfully and extremely productively through the last 12 months.  She may not have been able to pay visits in person to the 16 Clubs in our Region but she has certainly made her mark – not only within Region but also much further afield. Heidi’s theme has been “Making a Difference – Let’s Do It Together” and we have!!!  We’ve mastered Zoom, we’ve planted trees, we’ve supported our communities – locally, nationally and internationally – we really have had to think outside the box and