Rachelle organised a table for us at the Manchester Histories Event on 6 June which was held in the Rates Hall. This was a really interesting day with a wide variety of exhibitors showcasing many different aspects of life and activity in Manchester from a historical perspective through to the present day. Chethams Library, The Portico Library, The Police, Pre-historic Stockport, The Co-operative Society, LGBTQ+, The Pankhurst Centre, Arts Groups, Film Clubs, Railway historians, The Royal Northern College of Music and many others were there and the hall was full with people eager to talk about their particular interest and the activities of their groups, their archives and history. Rachelle and I got together some past and present materials for a new leaflet which was prepared for this event. It was then refined by Fiona and laid out by Neil, Susan Hollick’s son with Susan

Thanks to a legacy we started supporting Ashton on Mersey Chiefs under 11s team in 2024 by sponsoring home and away kits. To avoid a clash with another team they were renamed Ashton on Mersey Tigers and are now under 12s. We are very pleased to be able to continue our support this year by sponsoring new zip training tops and received lovely messages from centre back Scarlett, and Scarlett’s mother Amy. Playing for the U12s Tigers is something that I will never forget. The second I get onto the pitch with the team, all of my worries just disappear. We get to run around, get really muddy, celebrate our wins and learn from our losses. It helps with our physical and mental health. I have made so many new friends that I feel like I can talk to. We’ve learned how to work together

Do you ever worry that your children or grandchildren might be in an unhealthy relationship? Every young person deserves a relationship built on respect, trust and safety — free from abuse. Talking openly about what’s healthy, reasonable and acceptable is one of the most effective ways to prevent harm before it starts. Simple tools can help start those conversations. Resources like the Loves Me / Loves Me Not bookmarks, shared by many Soroptimist clubs in their communities, have become powerful conversation starters for young people and families alike. Women’s Aid has also produced some excellent information on healthy relationships here. Soroptimists continue to take action to improve women’s safety in our communities. Learn more about our work: sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-work/womens-safety. #StandingUpForWomenAndGirls #Soroptimists #WomensSafety #HealthyRelationships

Members of Soroptimist International Manchester were among the 78 delegates who attended the Regional Conference on 16th May hosted by Sue Underwood, Region President and member of our club.

Empowerment Through Care: Highlights from the Hair & Wellbeing Event On Monday 18th May, Soroptimist International Manchester partnered with Naomi Brooks of Ascend Co Studio to host a truly uplifting Hair & Wellbeing Event for women supported by the domestic abuse charities that we work alongside. What unfolded was a day filled with warmth, confidence‑building, and genuine care, a reminder of the power of small acts delivered with great kindness. Twelve women attended across the day, each welcomed into the salon for a 90‑minute pampering session, some stayed much longer. Every guest received a professional cut and style, refreshments, and a beautifully curated goody bag to take home. These bags were filled with makeup, skincare, hair products, chocolate, scented candles, and other treats, all presented in a Soroptimist International Manchester tote bag. For some of the women, this was their first visit to a salon in many years, making the

Every day, women and girls across the UK experience abuse, but abusive behaviours can be hard to spot. They are often pretending to be something else. Control is camouflaging as care. Manipulation is mistaken for love. Sinister behaviours can slip by unnoticed. It’s time to see these behaviours for what they are. Abuse. Soroptimists say NO to Violence against Women and Girls!

As part of our Centenary Celebrations members of Soroptimist International Manchester were invited to afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Carmine Grimshaw. As the town hall is still undergoing refurbishment the civic and ceremonial team had relocated to the central library which was the venue for this very special afternoon. President Sophie and guests were warmly welcomed by the Lord Mayor and we were introduced to the Lord Mayor’s consort Cllr June Hitchen. They are colleagues in the Miles Platting and Newton Heath ward and it emerged that Cllr Hitchen had previously attended a Manchester dinner when she was Lord Mayor. Both the Lord Mayor and Consort were interested to know the history of our club and the many projects we support especially during our centenary year. We found some common interests in that they also support a girls football team and

Hilary, Pat and Elaine received a warm welcome from Didsbury Good Neighbours on Monday 27th April. Didsbury Good Neighbours is a community facility set in Didsbury Park. Its primary function is as a day centre for elderly people, with lots of activities run by staff and volunteers. They also have a cafe next door that’s open to the public. The centre manager Jamie organised a lunch so we could get to know their Monday Gardening group. It was a very pleasant afternoon, with a surprise birthday cake for the groups facilitator Jan. After lunch Hilary got stuck in with some dead-heading! Our associated charity Daisy Cross (Soroptimist) Trust has donated £3,500 and we’ve started discussions with Jamie as to how this will be used. Elaine Loader

Over the past 50 years Soroptimist International Manchester has celebrated significant anniversaries by raising funds for a variety of projects. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Club in 1976 an annual prize was established at the Royal Northern College of Music to be awarded each year to the outstanding student of composition or conducting. The Diamond Jubilee project in 1986 was for the NSPCC Special Families unit in Fallowfield. To mark the 70th anniversary of the Club in 1996, £7,000 was raised to furnish and equip a multi-sensory room for children at a local assessment centre. The Club’s 80th anniversary was marked by donating £8,000 to St Mary’s Sexual Assault referral centre for a new paediatric room. Act4Africa, a charity the club still supports, was the recipient of £9,000 raised for the 90th anniversary in 2016. For the centenary in 2026 a committee met

Soroptimist International Manchester’s Annual General Meeting took place on 16th April. It was preceded by a dinner enjoyed by 16 members. Several more members joined for the meeting. Sophie Kennedy was installed as President and Cathrine Holland as President Elect.