Liz Hibberd, Manchester City of Sanctuary’s Strategic and Partnership Lead, spoke at our June Club meeting. Manchester City of Sanctuary is part of a network of organisations across the UK. Their mission is to make Manchester a welcoming place for refugees and asylum seekers – most of whom are women. This is achieved in a number of ways – social events, physical activities such as yoga classes, and opportunities to learn new skills. Local organisations are supported to be better able to understands sanctuary seekers. We were pleased to be able to make a donation  

Gemma, a farmer from the Lake District and a Greenpeace volunteer, spoke at our May meeting about the organisation’s current aim – to protect the Amazon rainforest from industrial farming. We learned that rainforests are home to over half of all known animals and plants on earth and that the main driver of deforestation in the Amazon is demand for meat.     We can help by reducing our intake of processed foods, by shopping locally and seasonally and by avoiding waste.  

Alison, our Programme Chair, arranged a two mile walk for members – and four dogs. We started in Monton village then followed the ‘loopline’ – the old route of the Roe Green railway line – before returning along the Bridgewater Canal to Monton for a pub lunch. Many thanks to Alison for a most enjoyable morning.  

After a two year gap Age UK Salford was able to arrange their fourth Annual Boat Race at Salford Quays to mark Dementia Action Week. Members ran the tombola and the refreshment stall and the Club was pleased to be able to give a donation from the Daisy Cross (Soroptimist) Trust fund.

We are currently concentrating on two of the five Ps – People & Prosperity and Planet. A project which fits into both these categories is Toilet Twinning – we made a donation which will enable families in a poor community in Kabale district, Uganda, to build a basic toilet. The certificate we received will be displayed in the ladies toilet at our meeting venue.

Our Annual General Meeting was held at the Pinewood Hotel, Handforth, on 7th April. Outgoing President Rose presented incoming President Sue with an award for 30 years service to Soroptimism. Rose then presented Sue with the Presidential chain and wished her a successful year.

Members donated 70 Easter Eggs to Emmeline’s Pantry – a charity we have supported for several years. They were much appreciated.

S I Manchester took an unusual step towards saving the planet with an innovative Sip and Swap event, bringing Bond Street to the home of our social lead, Alison. An opportunity arose when a club friend kindly donated several new top brand clothing items (complete with swing tickets) to use as we liked to support charity funds. A relatively new member, Alison Forster, who has accepted the Social and Event lead role, had the idea of organising a Sip and Swap day. Bring a “mistake” a purchase of ill fitting shoes,  an outfit worn once to a wedding, or no longer fits and rather than wasting this resource swap with another club member. Any remaining items at the end of the day could be returned to the donor or with agreement donated to one of our charities. Alison’s conservatory was transformed into an amazing Soroptimist

Our Charter Dinner marked the 96th anniversary of the Club’s first meeting. It was held at the Pinewood Hotel on 12th March and attended by 70 members, family and friends. Our speaker was Katie Fraser from WomenMATTA – a women’s centre in Manchester and Trafford providing  practical and emotional support, advocacy and advice to women at all stages of the criminal justice system – a charity we have supported for a number of years. Katie proposed the toast to Soroptimism and Regional President Dorcas Akeju OBE responded. A most enjoyable evening.