Liz Clarke from Becky’s Bathhouse spoke at our August meeting. The charity was set up after the murder of Liz’s niece Rebecca Dykes in Lebanon . It provides much needed showers and hygienic services in a safe environment for women refugees. They work closely with other organisations and depend on volunteers to run the Bathhouse.
We have recently helped purchase five sewing machines for the refuges run by Manchester Women’s Aid.Several of our members attend every week to help the women develop their sewing skills. They have made cushions, and liberty caps for the Peterloo Massacre march; they are currently making blouses.
At tea party was held at the Pankhurst Centre on 14th July to celebrate Emmeline Pankhurst’s birthday. Several members attended to help and to enjoy the tea.
Shaneela Joshi was presented with her badge by President Rosemary at our August meeting. Shaneela currently works as an optometrist and has done voluntary work for a charity which provides eye tests and glasses for the homeless. She also has a part time job as a secondary school science teacher for CAMHS tier 4 which presents numerous challenges but is extremely rewarding. Shaneela moved to Manchester five years ago and has a toddler to keep her busy. When she has time she loves to read and go for long walks.
A big thank you to member Fiona and her daughter Ciara for a lovely afternoon tea on 6th July. The event was for part of Ciara’s Duke of Edinburgh Award and the proceeds have helped the Club to buy sewing machines for the refuges run by Manchester Women’s Aid. Member Susan will be teaching women in the refuges to sew.
New member Soo was presented with her badge by President Rosemary at our May meeting. She was introduced to our organisation by a Soroptimist she met on a train journey returning from the Liverpool Conference. Soo works in Food Safety and Quality as a consultant. She has two teenage children and play the cornet in a brass brand.
Fabiola Bayavuge from the charity Africans Unite against Child Abuse (Afruca) spoke at our meeting on 7th May. The charity was established in 2001 to advocate the rights and welfare of African children in the UK following the deaths of children like Victoria Climbite and Damilola Taylor. The main focus of their work is prevention and early intervention and their stance is that culture and religion should never be a reason to abuse children.
Vanessa Flanders, Manchester Women’s Aid (MWA) Mental Health Lead, spoke on Domestic Abuse in later Life. Many people are unaware of the abuse older people may have endured for many years. Vanessa is a Project Manager for Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) – a programme which trains those working in GP surgeries to identify possible victims and gives them the opportunity to obtain help.
Several members – dressed as suffragettes and carrying Soroptimist banners – took part in the Manchester Day Parade on 23rd June. The parade is the centrepiece of Manchester Day – a celebration of Manchester held in the city centre which has been held every June since 2010.
