Today saw the opening of our Virtual Sorops Coffee Shop celebrating VE Day.  We had 17 of our  Soroptimist members joining us from Bournemouth, Cyprus, Farnham, London, Middlesex as well as Medway and Maidstone, where we are all in lockdown. This was the first time some of us had met as 12 members had joined SI Medway in April after the closure of our daughter club, SI Maidstone and so we were able to give a warm welcome to our new members and introduce ourselves. Who knew we had such interesting members?  Members shared something about themselves and included being a ballroom dancing champion, riding an elephant bare back, travelling to 100 countries, trip to Japan and hearing about Soroptimists for first time, hosting Japanese Soroptimists wearing slippers everywhere, born in India, living in South Korea, managing to ascent a climbing wall, helping a neighbour

Each month Medway members bring to our club meetings, food donations and essential items as identified by the Medway Foodbank to meet the increasing demands on their service. In April, it was highlighted by the Trussell Trust that long life milk and milk powder were urgently needed as they were in short supply across most supermarkets and a message had gone out via Whatsapp asking people to check their cupboards for these items and donate them. As a result contact was made with our Medway Foodbank who confirmed what they needed in addition to the milk items and this list was circulated to all our members.  One of our members co-ordinated the response, collecting our food donations and shopping using those monies donated by members.  These items were then delivered to the Foodbank, where June Tottman came out to collect the shopping and was grateful

Medway Soroptimists were pleased to take part in the Woman Power event organised by the Medway Archives Centre on Saturday 7 March to celebrate International Women's Day. We joined local Women's Institute groups and Girl Guides to share what we all do through the displays on show and with SI Medway Women Power 7 March Presentation to empower and educate women and girls locally, nationally and internationally. The weather was kind to us and meant we were able to welcome and talk with many visitors on the day interested to find out more and hopefully may wish to join Medway Soroptimists as potential new members. It was a good, worthwhile and informative day and hopefully following up on opportunities to work together on areas of common interest to make a difference on issues such as creating a plastic free environment and tackling modern day slavery.

On Saturday 22 February, 17 Soroptimists from SI Medway and SI Maidstone got together for a Day of Reflection at the Millennium Centre, Rainham. We started the day with Laughter Yoga with Shirley Marshall of Well-being Warriors which really lifted the mood of everyone, our productivity and social connectivity ready for the rest of the day. Both clubs had undertaken a club health check from the SIGBI Growth Plan toolkit in advance. This identified what the strengths were within each club, and what areas need improvement to include ensure we continue to thrive and improve all members experience of Programme, service, fundraising and fun. We finished the day taking a photograph of us all striking the Equal sign pose to mark International Women’s Day. #EachforEqual and #GenderEquality Following the Day of Reflection, a Three-Year Strategy and a Single Page Plan has been drafted focusing on

Members from SI Medway and Maidstone clubs braved the rain and mud on Saturday March 14 to walk 5 miles to raise funds for Water Aid’s ‘March for Water’ campaign. Why 5 miles? Because Water Aid has calculated that, in order to get water, this can be one of the distances typically walked each day in those countries and regions where there is no access to clean water locally. The club members had asked their clubs, family and friends to sponsor them £5 for the 5 miles they covered. A total of £140 was donated and Water Aid will use the monies to help communities build wells to access clean water, and maintain them.

Missing People is the only charity in the UK which is dedicated to bringing missing children and adults back together with their families. For their families, life can feel like a desperate and unbearable struggle as they wait for days or even years. Missing People are there for missing people and their families, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide free and confidential support by phone, text or email. We all had a truly enjoyable evening and heard wonderful renditions of the Christmas classics, and joined in on a few hymns all while we were supporting the charity Missing People. As volunteer ushers we checked the 850 guest’s tickets on arrival, sold programmes and helped with the bucket collection at the end of the concert as guests were leaving. In 2018 volunteers collected almost £15000 at the G4 Christmas concerts which was used

The theme of this year’s annual Medway conference was ‘Getting to grips with Coercive and Controlling behaviour’ and was held at the Corn exchange in Rochester on 7 December. During the conference we heard about what coercive and controlling behaviour is, with victims’ stories to illustrate this and how such behaviour impacts on the victim in relation to their sense of safety, identity, autonomy and self-esteem. Kent Police highlighted the legislation ‘Serious Crime Act 2015’ and their response to coercive and controlling behaviour. It is vital that the victim gives their consent and engages in the process to progress. There is specialist support available and a multi-agency response is vital to enable the victim to develop a safety plan, recognise they have choices, amplify their voices and promote the victim’s autonomy. Medway Soroptimists are regular supporters of this event and three of the members were

President Isobel was in the Region this weekend for her first official duty as our Federation President to officiate at the Charter ceremony for SI Thanet. Janet is seen here with President Isobel having arrived at the Botany Bay Hotel in Broadstairs for the Charter ceremony. Janet had been the host for President Isobel providing overnight accommodation. They travelled down together from Medway to Broadstairs with fellow Medway member, Jane. Representations from clubs across the South East Region and Southern Region joined in the Charter celebrations with President Rachael and the new Thanet members and welcomed them to the Soroptimist family.