The first day of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence fell during National Tree Week. So 25th November was an appropriate day on which to add to our two previous contributions to Didsbury Park – small ways of combatting climate change which affects women and girls disproportionately. With the help of the Friends of Didsbury Park, and their chairman Brian, we planted a shrub -Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill ‘, a hardy evergreen which originates from the eastern Himalayas. Congratulations to the Friends of Didsbury Park – this year they received the Kings Award for Volunteering and a gold award from Britain in Bloom.  

We have recently started to support Contact Hostel – a charity providing accommodation and practical support for homeless teenage girls from the Manchester area. A Christmas gift of a cosy dressing gown was wrapped and delivered for each of the nine girls at the hostel.

This year’s 90th anniversary conference was held in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh from 1st to 3rd November. Five of our members attended and enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones. The themes were Educate, Empower and Enable, and the speakers included Baroness Floella Benjamin, the President of Soroptimist International and the Presidents of S I Europe and S I Africa. More information on the South Lancashire website       S I Manchester member Rose was pleased to represent S I Kathmandu, one of our Friendship Links, by carrying the Nepal flag in the opening ceremony.

The Mayor of Bolton and Soroptimist International Manchester hosted an afternoon tea in order to mark 50 years since the formation of Greater Manchester and the forthcoming centenary of the Manchester Soroptimist club. All Soroptimist clubs in Greater Manchester were invited to give a presentation to the assembled mayors of the various boroughs in order to highlight the valuable work carried out in their communities. The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester  and three deputy lieutenants were joined by the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland President Ruth Healey and  the Regional President Pamela Wright who both contributed to the afternoon with interesting and uplifting speeches. Members in Manchester were generous in donating raffle prizes with all proceeds going to Soroptimist charities. It is hoped that the event will further raise the profile of our global organisation as we look towards the exciting centenary year ahead.

The Regional Rose Bowl Challenge was established in 2003. S I Manchester won in the first year for our newsletter. We have won several times since – most recently in 2021 for ‘Programme Action Re-imagined’ – and were delighted to win again this year. Regional President Pamela’s theme was ‘Rise Up and Roar’ and clubs were invited to describe how they have risen up and roared. Vice President and Membership Officer Sophie collated the information and her submission included details on how the club uses social media to explain and promote our projects. President Pamela later told President Carole that what set the Manchester report apart was the detailed evidence of success. Click on the link below to see our entry. Rosebowl Challenge 2024 SI Manchester FINAL

Contact Hostel was established in 1970 and provides accommodation and practical support for homeless teenage girls from the Manchester area. The young women may have experienced relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, forced marriage, threatened abduction as well as physical and emotional abuse. The fundraiser and income partner Helen is going to talk at a future meeting. President Carole and new member Claire went along to Asda Hulme to assist in a bucket collection. Their support was very much appreciated. The time passed quickly and they enjoyed people watching!