At our July Club meeting our speaker was Cate Allison, Chief Executive of Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH). The charity offers advice and support to women in sex work. It started in 1991 with a small van that provided condoms and clean injecting equipment. Now there is also a drop-in centre and outreach service. MASH services include safety advice, refreshments, free condoms, a needle exchange and support with debts, benefits, homelessness and domestic violence. In addition, activities to build confidence and develop life skills are available. In 2018 the charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Yvonne was invited to present the Helen Latto Soroptimist Prize for Singing at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music (JRNCM) as usual this year. Unfortunately she was in hospital at the time so I deputised for her.  There were two recipients this year, Mia Serracino-Inglott and Imogen Parsley. Helen Latto was President of S I Manchester in 1980-81. She was an Aberdonian, trained as a pharmacist in Scotland, then moved south and opened her own pharmacy in Moss Side.  Helen was introduced to Soroptimism by Ivy Roberts, lecturer in pharmacy at the University of Manchester and Club President in 1941. During Helen’s Presidency she organised a charity event at a music school in Whalley Range which had a link to the Royal Northern College of Music. The singing of the children during this event enhanced Helen’s love of music and led to her involvement

President Barbara, Val and Rose were pleased to present Charlotte Batra and Claire Fawcett, the children’s crisis worker, with toys for the children who are referred to St Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The club has supported the Centre in a number of different ways over many years – it is sad that this is needed but we hope the toys  give some enjoyment. Rose Marginson

As May is Membership Month we decided to arrange an event. Thanks to the Pankhurst Trust we were able to have a fairly informal evening at the Pankhurst Centre on 24th May. The event was posted on Facebook and members were asked to spread the word amongst friends and acquaintances. Four people came to hear more about us from seven of our members, including Liz and Sue – two of our newest members –  who were free that evening.  President Barbara and I explained about the organisation and the work we do and then everyone had a chance to chat. It was a very enjoyable evening and our four guests hope to attend other events. Thank you to all who attended and to Gail for use of the venue. It is always a pleasure to spread the word about S I Manchester. Rose Marginson   The

Another successful mug packing evening was held on 29th May . Over a hundred mugs were filled with sachets of tea , coffee, chocolate, sugar, milk and a biscuit  ready to be delivered to Manchester Women’s Aid for their refuges . Each woman who goes to a refuge is given one so she can make hot drinks in her own mug. Thanks to Pat for the use of her kitchen and being a great host . Rose Marginson

Susan, Sue, Rose , and  Margaret (from Leigh Club) met President Barbara and Patrick at the Lowry Theatre for coffee and a chat . Patrick is Act4Africa’s Head of Uganda Operations . It was his first visit to the UK and he had come for the 2018 Commonwealth Study Conference Global Leadership Programme. While here he was also meeting supporters of the charity. Patrick spoke about Kathy’s Centre and the work they are doing providing vulnerable women and children from the area close to Mayuge with vital health and support services, pre-school education, a youth club and agricultural, enterprise and financial literacy training . It was lovely to hear first hand the work they are doing particularly as we are looking to support Act4Africa’s work.   Rose Marginson

At our May meeting we had a talk from Shona Boyle from Henshaw’s, a charity supporting people living with sight loss.  the society provides services for them and their friends and family to help them live with their disability . The aim is to empower people with sight loss to live an independent life, through development of skills, confidence and self esteem. Shona gave us a history of the charity which started in Manchester in 1833 and how it has evolved and changed over the years, initially for the blind now for anyone with  sight loss. They do great work and it was a pleasure to hear about the history and changes over the years. Rose Marginson

We were delighted to induct three new members – Liz, Sue and Lillian – prior to our Annual General meeting.

Our Annual General Meeting was held on 10th April at the Pinewood Hotel, Handforth. Barbara Blaber was elected President and Rosemary Steven became President Elect.  

In true Soroptimist style, President Rose overcame several challenges to preside over a very successful Charter Dinner at the Marriott Hotel, Hale Barns. Most guests arrived despite the bad weather, including Rose’s family and Past President Molly who braved the trains from London. In her toast to the City and Ports of Manchester, Rose explained how she came to Manchester on a temporary assignment but never left. In response, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor June Hitchen, praised her beloved city, looking forward to her year as Lord Mayor – especially appropriate for a woman as we celebrate the centenary of the first women getting the vote.  Elaine de Fries, Operations Manager of Manchester Women’s Aid, proposed the toast to Soroptimist International based on working with us on the ‘Women’s Words on Manchester’ project. Guest speaker, Hannah Flint of the Modern Slavery Response Network, encouraged us