On Tuesday 9th December, members of Soroptimist International Manchester attended an End of Year Gathering at the Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH) premises in Manchester. Supporters and Friends of MASH were invited for an informal gathering over a buffet lunch with hot drinks and mince pies. MASH have had a challenging year. A damaged roof meant closure of their much loved and well-used drop-in centre until funds could be raised for repairs. This is a well-used space that the MASH users describe as a “lifeline”. The damaged and leaking roof has now been successfully repaired and the gathering was an opportunity to celebrate its re-opening and future plans. The MASH CEO spoke to visitors about plans to improve the drop-in space now that it is functional again. The women who access support at MASH, have themselves have identified what they want the space to

Congratulations to our girls’ football team,  Ashton on Mersey Tigers,  who are having a run of good results winning 3-2 on January 24th against the Snow Leopards. A brilliant start to 2026. I was therefore inspired again today (31st January) on a bright but cold morning to watch the girls play Urmston Meadowside. It was a really enjoyable game especially as the girls won 3-0. It was so exciting with our team having most of the chances and even hit the post. The third goal was thought to be offside by the other team but in the absence of VAR it was given and well deserved. I did ask a parent for her thoughts as to the reason for this good run of positive results and she pointed immediately to the coach, Ian, who I was standing alongside. Ian was reluctant to accept the credit

President Fiona made a beautiful patchwork quilt which was raffled and raised over £1500 for our centenary fund.

GM4Women2028 – Gender equality data reveal event on 6th February 2026

On 28th November, as part of our 16 Days of Action and to mark National Tree Week, we planted a Larch Larix Decidua in Speaker’s Corner at Alexandra Park to celebrate our Centenary. Angela and the Friends of Alexandra Park welcomed us warmly with hot tea and biscuits. Angela also shared a captivating talk and film on the park’s history, including how funding from the Heritage Lottery has breathed new life into the park, restoring its place as one of Manchester’s true People’s Parks. When Alexandra Park opened in 1870, public rallies weren’t permitted and Speaker’s Corner was the only place the bylaws allowed people to meet. Our Centenary tree stands on the upper end of the raised wall—an area that served as the park’s unofficial Speaker’s Corner. It was near here that the famous 1908 rally took place, with ten platforms (or soapboxes) featuring

President Fiona’s home was the venue for our 2025 Christmas party. In pretty, festive surroundings, 20 Club members gathered, bringing food to share – all of it delicious – and drinks ranging from mulled wine to lemonade! The evening began with the customary lighting of candles to remember our Soroptimist Friendship Link members across the globe. Always a moment of reflection to remember our sisters united in the principles of Soroptimism, wherever they are. We enjoyed an evening of fun, friendship, conversation and good company, as usual, catching up with each other’s news, talking over the year’s events and thinking about the Centenary year to come. We said au revoir to our member Malgorzata who has moved to Cumbria but we know we will keep in touch. All too soon the evening came to an end. Many thanks to our host Fiona and family for

Soroptimist International Manchester members enjoyed another successful evening at Rose’s home packing mugs for Manchester Women’s Aid.       Every women arriving at a refuge, after escaping domestic violence,  is given her own mug carefully wrapped in biodegradable paper and containing sachets of tea, coffee, chocolate and a biscuit. These have come to be known as a ‘Hug in a Mug’ and are greatly appreciated.   The items for the mugs were donated by Novotel Manchester West Members wore orange – a bright and optimistic colour, it represents a future free from violence against women and girts.

For our centenary in 2026 we aimed to raise £10,000. Thanks to the generosity of members, family and friends we soon exceeded our target and were able to make grants to six local charities – one of which was Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity the club has supported for many years. The grant was used to fund a series of art workshops culminating in a display of the work at a drop in event during the 16 Days of Activism.  

For our centenary in 2026 we aimed to raise £10,000. Thanks to the generosity of members, family and friends we soon exceeded our target and were able to make grants to six local charities. One of these was WomenMatta, a charity supporting vulnerable women affected by the Criminal Justice System. We used the grant to buy toiletries, diaries and chocolate all of which were wrapped individually and packed in gift bags – 100 in total.                   Hannah and the team from WomenMatta were so grateful – they had been worried that, due to limited funding, they wouldn’t have been able to do gift bags this year. Thanks to Rachelle for hosting the packing morning.