At our May meeting we were delighted to hear Belinda Goode, a Dementia Friends Champion, on the subject of the varying presentations of dementia and how to watch out for those needing a little help and understanding, and how we can encourage people living with dementia to take their opportunities to live well with it for as long as they possibly can.  This is a one-way path but can take varied courses and may be slowed at times or accommodated in lives still capable of being very worthwhile and enjoyable. The individual is often living in the moment – a very fashionable concept for everyone these days – and their perception of the world around them may be very different from ours but perfectly valid for them.  

We’re proud to be sponsoring the U15 squad whose first year is proving very successful, as well as supporting the rest of the club.  In addition to their own achievements, we were delighted to hear of their support for other teams in the area, spreading the benefits to a wider base of girls in the Leeds area in their quest to fulfil their footballing potential and be the best they can! We’re delighted to hear of their fantastic achievement in this first year, winning the Cup!  Many congratulations!

In our October meeting we were delighted to welcome two members of SI Harrogate & District – Val Hills and Heather Shipman – who had recently completed the trainer course run by the Parliamentary Outreach group.  They led us in discussions about how best to lobby both MPs and peers on matters we wish to bring to public attention.    

The 2016 Prize has been awarded to Amita Murray for Marmite and Mango Chutney. Congratulations!  Second prize went to Winnie M Li for Dark Chapter and third prize, and the SI Readers’ Choice award, went to Jamilah Ahmed for Recognising Strangers.  The prizes were awarded at an event as part of the Ilkley Literature Festival in October 2016.  More information on the prize website.  

We are currently collecting new knickers and used (or new) bras as well as a variety of toiletries and other items for Together Women and (for November) items suitable for Christmas boxes for women or small children fleeing domestic violence, so look through the wardrobe and add the occasional item when you are shopping. We’re also supporting Terry’s fundraising for Nepal and she has a fundraising page as well as accepting cash.

   Armchair or adventure………….   I can hardly believe it – in a few short months I will be in Nepal, the roof of the world. I was so lucky to win the Rank Fellowship travel award this year (against stiff competition I might add!), with what I thought of as an innovative and emotional presentation. I am going to spend the autumn volunteering and working with charities who support enterprise for women who have been rescued from trafficking to Indian brothels or other abuse. My days will be a combination of fieldwork alongside Nepalese women, attending conferences and information exchange with NGO’s and other organisations. (I might fit some white water rafting and elephant riding in, in my spare time). Preparations so far include procurement of the indispensable Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – oops I mean The Lonely Planet – Nepal, a very

Members have been delighted to welcome Sawsan Zaza and several have joined her in the homework club she has organised for Syrian children now living in Leeds.  We hope to work more with the community and to provide help for the mothers as well as the children.

We are delighted to sponsor Leeds Ladies FC as they expand their range of teams and training for Yorkshire stars of the future.  The club has proved its resilience and determination to provide opportunities for women and girls despite setbacks.  Girls deserve to have the same options for excellence in sport as boys. Several of our club members attended the Awards evening in May which celebrated the achievements of the under 16s who were the youngest team in 2015/16.  We hope their success inspires the next team to be added – the under 15s – as they prepare for their debut in 2016/17.

Recent meetings – with an extra one for the 5th Monday in September – have provided us with inspiration and food for thought.  We were delighted to welcome Elizabeth Wright, Paralympian medal winner from the Atlanta and Sydney games, who described in her own inimitable fashion her journey from an Aussie garden swimming pool to the top of the biggest competition going. Another young woman, Emily Futers, told us about her experiences of working as a volunteer in Africa with a charity providing schooling and care for children in great need.  She plans to go back for another stint next summer. Most recently, Irenosen Okojie explained her journey from Nigeria to London where she is a writer and has been involved with our SI Leeds Literary Prize as Prize Advocate.  At the same meeting Mary Halsey told us about the wider range of Food Banks working in

SI Leeds has agreed to sponsor an award for the Leeds United Foundation Awards on 30 April 2014, encouraging girls to get active through participating in football.  We’re not on the pitch yet, but who knows where this will lead? www.leedsunitedfoundation.com