Programme Action Report for AGM 2021
This last year has certainly proved to be a challenge, not only with the Covid 19 pandemic restrictions but many of our club members have been affected by loss, ill health and difficult circumstances. Taking all these issues into consideration, it is heart warming to reflect on the diversity, quality and sheer volume of work that has taken place. We are a voluntary organisation and our members do as much as they can, when they can.
We are asked to focus our Programme Action on the “5 Ps”: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership and all our projects have these themes at their core. The 5 Ps are based on the sustainable development goals that were adopted by all United Nation member states in 2015 in working towards ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that all people can enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
We also keep in mind the “3 As”: Advocacy Awareness and Action and the “3 Es”: Educate, Empower and Enable. These themes are also prominent in this year’s efforts.
Completing the Programme Action database, records all the PA that has taken place and has historically been a little complicated. The new PFR (Programme Focus Reports) are much more “user friendly” to complete and for members who may like a little extra help completing them there is now a tutorial available on the SIGBI website to facilitate this.
Working and undertaking PA from home during the first lockdown of the pandemic inspired the writing and publication of “Overcoming the Odds, brief biographies of women scientists”. Several members contributed to this wonderful booklet (which is still available to buy) and the hope is that these personal tributes to women scientists will encourage women and girls to aim high and to be the best they can be.
We have continued to support the Bungalow Project with donations of toys, books, goods for hampers and seasonal treats such as selection boxes and Easter eggs. This organisation which supports kinship families that are suffering from loss in our local area have been very appreciative of these goods. They have also benefitted from another Soroptimist lockdown project in the form of hand knitted Teddies that were given as Christmas gifts along with the hampers. These contributions have made a positive difference to hundreds of families and children.
Funding for 25 grab bags was received from Cleveland Police and these were made up by several industrious members and included items such as new clean clothing and underwear, toiletries, mobile phone and other essentials.
Donations of toiletries, sanitary products and food stuffs were collected and donated to Thorntree Foodbank and some members also bought Fair Trade products particularly during Fairtrade Fortnight and donated these to the foodbank too.
Trauma teddies were knitted by hand for use with the victims of trauma and this local project is now being rolled out to other Soroptimist clubs to be kept in Police vehicles and Refuge centres.
The “16 Days of Action” raised awareness of the issues of violence against women by the wearing and use of the colour orange. Public buildings in the local area were lit with orange lights and a photographic record was made of other “orange” occasions and contributions.
Outdoor events this year have included “Walk with Women” in support and solidarity with all women who have experienced abuse and harassment. This walk that took place within the pandemic restriction guidelines encouraged women to walk down their street to raise awareness and was undertaken in partnership with the Women’s Institute.
The Regional project “Daft as a Brush” walk was completed and its final stages passed through our area. Some members were able to join in for parts of this final stage of the walk to raise money and awareness for the charity which provides transport for patients with cancer to their treatment centres.
Tree planting took place in Albert Park in celebration of 100 years of Soroptimist International. This area of planting is close to the bluebells that were planted last year and was done in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.
Our work with petitioning and lobbying MPs has continued with issues such as: The Domestic Abuse Bill, Modern Slavery (victims) Bill, Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, and petitions to stop Hassockfield, adequate wheelchair access to all train stations in Britain and banning bee killing pesticides.