Novmber and December were two very busy months for the club, with lots of events. The first event was SIGBI’s Annual Conference, being held in Friend’s House in London this year. The speakers were so inspirational that we left feeling ready to work for women and girls throughout the U.K and beyond.
At our supper meeting this month, we were privileged to have two speakers from Kidderminster’s two women’s refuges. They told us of the difficulties facing the women of today. We gave them donations for speaking to us at our meeting, and money towards their Christmas meal for all the women in their care. We also gave them £200 from Hartlebury Community Café, which one of our members runs.
Some members attended our neighbouring club S.I Stourbridge’s Literary dinner where, one of our members Sue Merrill, was one of the speakers for the evening. She did us proud with an amusing talk about her latest book, Police, Ponies and Husbands in Between.
Our member Cindy Black, again held her charity lunches at Lord Morton’s Restaurant in Mustow Green. She has raised thousands of pounds over several years for local charities.
Soroptimist International organises 16 days of Activism this month from 25th November to 10th December to highlight Violence against women. We organised wearing orange in two local cafés to engage with local customers and talk about our organisation.
Our Sewing Sisters gathered to carry on making dresses and birthing sheets for an orphanage and hospital in Malawi. 22 dresses were completed at this session.
December opened with our Regional Meeting in Kenilworth where all clubs in the region meet and learn from each other exchanging good practice.
Throughout this month we have continued supporting the local Homestart charity with sanitary products, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner for the moms and families needing help for Christmas.
The Refuges were given handbags filled with essentials and goodies for Christmas.
These activities will continue to be carried out throughout 2024.