International Women’s Day takes place on 8th March every year to celebrate the achievements of women and call for greater equality and has been recognised by the United Nations since 1975. The theme for this year was ‘Break the Bias’ Several members represented the club at the annual Walk for Women joining hundreds of people walking from Castlefield to Manchester Cathedral. The Club was pleased to be able to make a donation to Manchester Action on Street Health which was doubled thanks to the Big Give – an online match funding platform.

Following the Planet group’s challenge to adopt vegan or vegetarian diets during January, a buffet party was held at Rosemary’s home. Members brought a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes  – including vegan jambalaya, Greek style starters and vegetarian sausage rolls. Recipes were shared afterwards. A very enjoyable evening. Thanks to Rosemary for hosting it.  

Inspired by her new Jewish cookbook and the club’s ‘Eat to Beet Climate Change Challenge’ for January, Ali merged the two and found a recipe (courtesy of Tori’s for muffins) that are baked for the Jewish festival of Tu B’Shevat. These muffins incorporate the seven species of the Torah: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.   Members enjoyed cooking along with Ali and their muffins were enjoyed by family and friends.

This event took place on the evening of December 10th at River Manchester’s premises in Openshaw. Set up to mark the end of the 16 Days of Activism, the event celebrated the 120 moves to safety that the Charity had achieved during the past year; it also marked the opening of the new café – Living Waters – which will provide a safe space to meet and chat. SI Manchester agreed to support this event by providing small gifts to be given out to attendees. The suitcase-shaped boxes contained a Soroptimist Orange the World badge, chocolates (Fair trade of course) and leaflets about the Charity. One member made tablecloths for the cafe and others helped out on the evening. The focus of the evening was 16 pairs of shoes, each representing the story of someone who had been helped by Charity. Three of these stories

Thank you to President Rose for hosting a Christmas party for members. A lovely occasion.

Women Matta is a charity that supports women affected by the criminal justice system and those at risk and has been one of our projects for several years. We were asked to provide diaries to be included in Christmas gift packs for the charity’s service users and were quickly able to collect over 200. These were delivered, together with ASDA vouchers, underwear, toiletries and other items in good time for Christmas, Although not directly connected with Women Matta, we also received an appeal from Diane Hawkins, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.  She had visited Styal Prison and was horrified to find that many of the women had only one set of underwear. We were happy to join other clubs in the South Lancashire region by donating many of the items needed.

To celebrate 100 years of Soroptimist International, clubs all over the world have been planting trees. A hawthorn tree was obtained from the Woodland Trust and on 29th November, during National Tree Week, President Rose and members visited Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre in Sale to plant the tree.   Rebecca, co-ordinator of the Wellbeing Gardening Group, researched some of the history and folklore surrounding the hawthorn – When hawthorn appears, it brings a message of hope and healing for our heart on both the physical and emotional level. This could signal the beginning of a new relationship or adventure. When we open our hearts and minds to what is possible, we soon discover that we are not alone on our journey. Hawthorn cleanses the heart of negativity and replenishes the body through nourishment. Hawthorn encourages us to feel renewed and refreshed as we venture

Act4Africa is celebrating its anniversary with a ’20 miles for 20 years’ fundraiser. Our Programme Action officer, Barbara, has supported this by walking with Jamie, her Labrador, in 20 of Greater Manchester’s parks – including Dainewell Park, John Leigh Park, Worthington Park, Sale Water Park, Victoria Park, Walton Park, Urmston Meadows, Trafford Ecology Park and, last but not least, Alexandra Park.      

Emmeline’s Pantry – a food bank with a difference – is a charity the Club has supported for several years. It ensures that women in need are provided with the best possible support and the things they need most – including food, toiletries, baby equipment and clothes. Club members responded to the Christmas appeal for warm pyjamas and were able to deliver them and visit the new community garden at the same time.

Although we were able to start face-to-face meetings again in August, it has been a long time since many of our members have been able to meet socially. We decided to arrange a social lunch and a coffee morning. The lunch was held at the Belmore Hotel, Sale, and the coffee morning at President Rose’s home. Both events were very enjoyable and the coffee morning raised much needed funds for our charities.