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March 2023 Speaker – Women in Rail

March 2023 Speaker – Women in Rail

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Our speaker in March was Emma Lowe, who spoke about Women in Rail, to members. Emma Lowe, Operations Professional Development Manager, Network Rail An occupational psychologist with 30 years of professional railway experience.  Emma worked predominantly in the field of human factors, but also in safety, competence management, training and leadership development. For the last 10 years, she has led on initiatives to integrate non-technical skills into competence and training arrangements, focusing on frontline operational staff. Male Dominated Industry Emma started her career with Network Rail (previously Rail Track) after a three-week temping job. Safety was a fascinating subject and she got the Railway bug, building her career in safety training. When she began her career, very few women were in the Railway industry. Human Factors Covering a wide variety of interesting aspects of the railway and its training needs, Emma captivated her audience, including

Orange the Quiz 2023

Orange the Quiz 2023

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‘Oranging The World”. No, not quite at Soroptimist International, Hertford and District’s Quiz Night on 18th November 2022.  The quiz was held at Wodson Park Sports Centre, in Ware. However, with orange table cloths, balloons and members wearing orange (some looking very fetching), and the first round featuring “ORANGE’, made everyone aware of what we were saying.  Our members were joining in with the UN UNiTE campaign to end Violence Against Women. Thirteen tables of 8 people took part, in a well contested Quiz.  Well done to the winning team, who won for a second time in a row.  Go team Reed! Next Quiz Date Make a date for next year, 17th November and bring a team to end Reed’s run of winning. Funds Raised The Club will be able to send £800 to Hertfordshire Equality Council, a charity encouraging Communities working together to promote

Orange the County Hall – November 2023

Orange the County Hall – November 2023

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Councillor Annie Brewster, the Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council joined Soroptimists in highlighting the Orange Campaign. A quote from the Chairman:- “I was delighted to welcome representatives from St Albans and Hertford Soroptimists to County Hall as we turned the building bright orange.  Before joining me on the balcony, our Hertfordshire County Council Domestic Abuse team and our visitors shared their experiences within the county, building on the work we do together to make Hertfordshire a safer place for all women and girls.”

November Speaker Age UK Hertfordshire

November Speaker Age UK Hertfordshire

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Mark Hanna, CEO of Age UK Hertfordshire delivered a talk to members about the services of Age UK, an independent charity (1116662). ABOUT Age UK Hertfordshire (Formerly known as Age Concern), offer a range of services, supporting over 15,000 older people in need. In the UK 18% of the population are over the age of retirement and in Hertfordshire, out of the 1.2M population, approximately 200,000 are of pensionable age and they are living longer. AGEING The main issues with ageing are long term conditions, needing health and social care support, the loneliness, striving to live independently, mental health issues and the lack of income. ADVICE The Age UK information and Advice Team can help with: claiming benefits applying for lasting powers if attorney housing options and finding care homes community care and health services leisure and social activities IT training accessing Age UK services

Tea Party 13th July

Tea Party 13th July

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Wednesday 13th July Tea Party in aid of The Isabel Hospice Home – Isabel Hospice The Club was delighted to be able to host an annual party after COVID. Last year during restrictions, guests were invited to order a ‘Tea Box’ which was delivered to their house, but fortunately this year everyone could meet in the garden of one of our members in Bengeo, Hertford. Special Guests Another hot day, but guests kept cool under two gazebos and garden parasols; as well has having elegant sun hats! The Mayor of Hertford, Councillor Mrs. Sue Barber and Cheryl Cussack were our special guests.  The Club was delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hospice, recognising the amazing work and care which is given to patients and their families. Entertainment Club members had prepared a delicious tea and this was handed round by Emily and Kathryn,

Club Officers 2022 – 2023

Club Officers 2022 – 2023

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  President Kate Belinis DL Immediate Past President Jenny Cobb BEM President Elect Vacancy Joint Treasurers Jenny Cobb BEM and Anne Miles Programme Action Margaret Holman and Pam Robertson Regional Representative Vacancy Appointments/Convenors of Committees Membership/Friends Karin Weston, Val Seddon, Kate Belinis Press/Publicity Anne Miles Promotional materials and photographer Kate Belinis Website Adrienne Arthurs Speaker support systems Karin Weston Card correspondent Joan Cheesman SI St Albans Liaison Pam Robertson Friendship Links Enniskillen: Karin Weston Hamar: Val Seddon Gaziosmanpasa: Pam Robertson Executive President Immediate Past President Joint Treasurers Programme Action   Website   Kate Belinis Jenny Cobb Jenny Cobb and Anne Miles Margaret Holman and Pam Robertson Adrienne Arthurs  

HCF Love Herts
June Speaker – Hertfordshire Community Foundation

June Speaker – Hertfordshire Community Foundation

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In June, Helen Gray, the Foundation Director of Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) joined members online. HCF is the natural port of call for grant making and philanthropy in the county of Hertfordshire. They work in partnership with individuals, companies and other organisations across every sector of the community to build a better life for all.  To meet local need, HCF offers a professional and flexible service to assist donors, whether individuals, companies or trusts, as well as public authorities and agencies to achieve their local charitable giving objectives. Overview Hertfordshire is generally perceived as an affluent county. However, this hides the reality for many.  Hertfordshire has places where need and deprivation is in the worst 10% in the UK – highlighted by HCF through its independent ‘Hertfordshire Matters 2020’ research. Regrettably, all social need highlighted in that report has been exacerbated by the ongoing impact

CRED logo
May Speaker – CRED project

May Speaker – CRED project

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Mercy Bwomono joined us in May to talk about the CRED project in Hertfordshire. CRED stands for COVID Recovery for Ethnic Diverse Communities (formerly known as the CRB COVID Recovery BAME project) Mercy is the COVID Recovery Community Development Officer for Ethnically Diverse people.  She leads the project on behalf of CDA Herts.  Commissioned by Herts Clinical Commissioning and Hertfordshire County Council to support the impact on Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities.  CRED is a county wide project.  The key areas of work for the project is to reach out to engage communities.  In addition, the project raises awareness of social prescribing. Recently, Mercy worked on a short vaccine research project involving the University of Hertfordshire.  Young people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic families were less likely to take-up the COVID vaccine. The Aim of the CRED Project: To address inequalities and improve

HDAH
September Speaker – Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline

September Speaker – Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline

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On 6th September 2021, we welcomed Christine Roach, Chair of Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline, who gave us a clear and detailed presentation on this invaluable local service. Helpline Essentially, it is a confidential, anonymous and free helpline for anyone affected by domestic abuse.  Trained volunteers signpost callers to sources of help and support. Additionally, through their website, events, advertising and social media, they raise awareness of domestic abuse in its many forms. The pandemic obviously brought further challenges and Christine addressed the impact of Covid-19 and HDAH’s response to it. How is it funded? The Helpline currently has no premises and they receive no statutory funding, depending on grants, fundraising and donations to meet their annual core running costs of around £50,000. Details of how we can help are on their website: https://www.hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org/donate Registered Charity Number 1184899

Shiva Presentation
February Speaker – Shiva Foundation

February Speaker – Shiva Foundation

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Shiva Foundation Presentation Sian Lea, the Managing Director of the Shiva Foundation joined club members online, to give a presentation on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in Hertfordshire. Sian made it clear that Modern Slavery is happening and is happening in Hertfordshire.  She explained that people use items in their homes or lives that may involve labour of production extracted through force, coercion or threats, or may come across someone that is being controlled by someone else. ‘All incidents of modern slavery include two basic elements (1) the deception or coercion of an individual (2) for the purpose of exploitation.’ Further explanation about the difference between the terms modern slavery or human trafficking, clarified that they are used interchangeably.  Commonly, human trafficking must entail some movement or travel, whereas modern slavery does not require this. Generally, modern slavery is used to refer to both. Stop