Leigh & District Soroptimist Club are celebrating following the Government’s decision this week to provide menstrual products to all secondary and primary schools in England from 2020. Leigh Club has locally coordinated the Red Box Project with support from members of Tyldesley & Leigh Inner Wheel Clubs.  The nationwide project aims to end Period Poverty by enabling girls to attend school who may not have the resources to obtain sanitary items. This community driven project has involved organising 16 Donation points across the area, through the goodwill of businesses, where members of the community can donate menstrual products and underwear, which are then placed in Red Boxes and delivered to schools.  Regular topping-up has been undertaken to 32 secondary and primary schools; and now the project has been extended to community hubs in the area to provide out of school provision.  The response from schools

We were delighted to be joined by Donna & Gill from charity Maggie’s as well as Alison from Kidscan – Children’s Cancer Research for what was a very informative evening. The picture above shows Donna from Maggie’s receiving a donation from President Wendy and Chair of charity committee Phyll presenting Alison from Kidscan with her donation. Maggie’s  ‘Not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying’ Sir Norman Foster, the designer of the iconic Gherkin building was the architect behind the first Maggie’s centre – built in 1997 in Edinburgh. A sanctuary, not just for the patient, but for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. Now with 23 centres around the country, Maggie’s aims to offer support practically, emotionally and psychologically whilst providing a source of friendship. Support is available Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm without any appointment being necessary. Sessions

  We were privileged to attend the Grand Opening of The Bridge. A project that one of our members -Dorothy Bowker – has been instrumental in getting off the ground and continues to run on a daily basis. It will also house Just the Job which started life as a Soroptimist project and is now run as a stand alone project by three of our members.

On a beautiful sunny July evening we visited Hope View Sensory Farm which aims to improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia by increasing self esteem, invoking reminiscence ability, improving memory function and increasing communication.   We were also treated to a splendid buffet supper by the volunteers at the farm.  A pleasant evening was had by all.

Immediate Past President Pat visited Lilford Park to plant the Soroptimist tree for 2017/18. The Friends of Lilford Park also match funded a neighbour tree. The group helping with the planting are ‘The Green Crewe’ – Long may they bloom!!