{"id":4975,"date":"2023-03-22T13:17:34","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T13:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/ipswich-and-district\/?page_id=4975"},"modified":"2025-06-26T18:00:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T17:00:54","slug":"what-we-do-events-campaigns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/ipswich-and-district\/what-we-do-events-campaigns\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Do – Programme Action: Events and Campaigns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Campaign to Eliminate Cervical Cancer across the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are 2 steps to make this happen:\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1 – ensure all girls and boys (yes, boys as well as they can carry the virus and infect young women and girls via sexual intercourse) receive the HPV Vaccination when it is offered, typically at their schools.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2 – Stop the myths that surround having a Cervical Cancer Screening test when it is offered so that women recognise that it is a simple test that can save lives by ensuring any problematic cells are removed before they can develop into this disease which kills so many women of all ages, many of them young.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We have recently sent a letter to 20 GP Surgeries in Ipswich & East Suffolk offering them our health cards for both steps.\u00a0 They are available at no cost to the surgery.\u00a0 We hope they respond positively.\u00a0 CancerSupportSuffolk have taken 250 of each card to hand out at their forums and events.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately we will be tackling a range of health problems that particularly impact women.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Orange the World – Say NO to Violence Against Women & Girls<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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On the 25th of each month Soroptimists wear something Orange, a badge, a piece of jewellery, an article of clothing.\u00a0 We want it to become a recognised event each month to draw attention to the need to eliminate violence against women & girls in all its different forms.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Women’s Safety Project<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We had a meeting with Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore last year to discuss the safety of women & girls in Central Ipswich.\u00a0 Our research into crime statistics has shown that recorded crime has that is has fallen overall due to initiatives taken by Suffolk Constabulary in conjunction with Ipswich Borough council and the PCC but almost half of\u00a0 that which occurs is classified as violent crime and sexual assault.\u00a0 Taxi Marshalls, Street Rangers, additional CCTV and lighhting on vulnerable areas have all had a positive effect but there is much more to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Soroptimist Programme Action Committee has produced 2 different by complimentary Safety Cards for Women & Girls and we hope to have help in distributing them by those mentioned above and with advice from Central Ipswich constabulary on where & when they are most needed.\u00a0 This will be the first in a number of initiatives we take, working with other organisations in our town.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This card gives information on where to make contact to find out about keeping yourself safe and who to contact should you be attacked<\/p>\n

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This card is to write down personal contact information should you be attacked, traumatised, or your phone is down.<\/p>\n

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We hope to be starting distribution in the near future but if you are an organisation and are interested in having a supply of the cards please let us know via this website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Providing Quilts to Patients in East Anglia Children’s Hospice (EACH) in Ipswich<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In \"\"<\/a><\/span>the past we have given beautiful, unique, handmade quilts to clients of Lighthouse Women’s Aid who have suffered domestic abuse and the children being placed by Eastern Fostering Agency.\u00a0 We also give these quilts to children of clients of Suffolk Refugee Support, another amazing organisation that helps families to integrate into the community and become independent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year we added EACH to our list of recipients, an organisation that we have great respect for.\u00a0 Initially taking in 5 quilts made by ‘Julia and her quilting friends’ for the 5 children currently in the hospice, which we hope will be well received, we plan to deliver more in the future as new children come into the hospice.\u00a0 They are personal gifts and hopefully demonstrate that we really care for those who receive them and give joy to them during a difficult time in their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the photo, our president, Pat Dowding (2nd in from the right) is displaying the first delivery of quilts, ably assisted by EACH personnel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Red Chair Project<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The poster reads:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Place for Them: Standing against domestic violence and abuse.\u00a0 <\/span>Globally, every 11 minutes, a woman or girl dies at the <\/span>hands of an intimate partner or family member.<\/span><\/p>\n

These women and girls should still be with us.<\/span>
\nThis seat is reserved to highlight the void left<\/span>
\nbehind by each and every one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

25th November marks 16 days of activism to bring awareness of the UN Day to Eliminate Violence again Women & Girls<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Modern Day Slavery<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Modern Day Slavery is rife across the world and the UK is one of the main countries that has the problem.\u00a0 Do you know how to detect someone who has a is a slave? You might like to watch:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Modern Slavery: hidden in plain sight – Kate Garbers – TEDxExeter<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xYQdZWj5G0g<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
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It is a crime that is hidden in plain sight<\/strong><\/span> as Kate Garbers rightly says.<\/span><\/div>\n

We also suggest that you go to this link which enables you to see the signs to looks out for.\u00a0 Go to:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.antislavery.org\/slavery-today\/spot-the-signs-of-slavery\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t be afraid to report your suspicions, even if they are not founded no one will be\u00a0 upset or annoyed.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To report your concerns use one of the following options:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n