In this centenary of Soroptimists, (1921-2021), SIGBI members are focused on ‘Planting trees for a Brilliant Future’ to mark the anniversary and to help the environment. At the end of their year as Heswall club’s presidents Ann and Pam have recently donated fruit trees to Dale Farm in Heswall. They chose cherry and pear trees which will add to the range of fruit already grown at the farm. Dale Farm provides a day service for adults with disabilities and support for adults with mental health needs. The service provides opportunities to learn life skills through the therapeutic use of horticulture. Day to day activities include planting and growing organic fruit and vegetables in the fields and poly-tunnels. The farm shop sells Dale Farm’s own fruit and vegetables and award-winning honey from the on-site apiary. There is a small café too. Dale Farm is in partnership with

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated all around the world on 8th March. The United Nations first celebrated International Women’s Day in 1975, but its roots were developing from the turn of the century. It is now supported globally by governments and non-governmental organisations, for profit and non-profit organisations, professional and community groups, women’s networks and the media. It is an opportunity to celebrate how far women have reached in terms of equality, and to initiate action to gain gender parity. The IWD 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge with its upheld hand at shoulder level which challenges gender inequity. Heswall members are marking the day and contributing to a media display by Tomorrow’s Women Wirral. At  the recent club meeting members showed their support by raising their hands in a screenshot.

Story bags for local schools have featured in Heswall club’s activities in recent years. Over recent months it has been a successful project for remote working and another set of story bags has been made by four teams of members.  Each group kept in touch by zoom and phone and enjoyed the social aspect of the project – at distance! The bags featured books by Julia Donaldson and were What the Ladybird Heard, Room on the Broom, Tiddler and The Gruffalo. The bags were made for Stanley School and Pensby Primary School.          

Christmas gifts were collected for the residents of the Refuge (www.wwaca.org) and this year included toiletries and gift vouchers. They will be delivered, with best wishes, in time for Christmas.  

The Wirral Foodbank continues to support people in the community who are in crisis and facing going hungry. It provides nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people. It is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Members of SI Heswall joined in the annual Reverse Advent calendar fundraising and delivered a stock of food items for distribution during December in time for Christmas.

  In readiness for Christmas, members have filled gift bags for the young people supported by Action with Young Carers Wirral. The charity was chosen by the Presidents for this year and fundraising continues to support its work.

  Heswall & 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. Beginning with the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November, Soroptimists follow UN Days to transform lives of women and girls. We rally against Child Marriages, Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery, Rape, Sexual Exploitation, Female Genital Mutilation, Human Rights Defenders and Sexual Harassment at Workplace. On 10th Dec the last day, we honour the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.   Each day is a call for action and provides a focus for our projects. Commemorating these days

October is the month to wear pink to promote breast cancer awareness and SI Heswall held its annual pink themed event  recently – remotely! A virtual coffee morning was very successful both socially and raising funds through donations for Breast Cancer Now. (https://breastcancernow.org) The charity’s work continues to offer care and support to those who develop breast cancer and to continue its research.

Modern Slavery - the illegal trade and exploitation of human beings. It is an umbrella term that encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. As a response to Project Glasshouse, the regional project focussing on Modern Slavery, Heswall members undertook a survey of members’ shopping habits for fresh food to gain information about what was important such as price, country of origin and availability. Respondents highlighted their concerns for and knowledge of significant issues in the production of our food, namely Modern Slavery, environmental impact, and farming practice and Animal Welfare. Sunday 18th October is Anti Slavery Day.

Autumn plant sale A group of members arranged a plant sale in Sue’s garden and had a fine afternoon for this very successful event which raised funds for the Presidents’ charities this year – Action with Young Carers Wirral and Wirral Fund for Children with Special Needs. In addition to a selection of plants fresh produce and a range of home-made jams and pickles were very popular. Social distancing was maintained, and members and friends were able to catch up over cups of tea and coffee.