SI Middlesbrough is taking part in 16 days of action against gender-based violence. We will #OrangetheWorld: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect in support of #GenerationEquality. Soroptimists believe to achieve zero tolerance against gender-based violence. “The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.” (Ref: UN Women) Since lockdowns due to COVID-19 pandemic, rates of domestic violence have increased substantially around the world, termed

We held a little celebration along with the Macmillan Coffee morning to mark our treasurer Alwyn Kraus’s 50 years of service to Soroptimism. Flowers were presented by Regional President Joyce Chesney and the amount raised for Macmillan was £70. We were grateful to have Joyce Chesney with us. Special thanks to Pam Cooper for organising the event at her house.

We were supporting the Daft As a Brush Cancer (DAAB) Charity on their fund-raising walk from Middlesbrough to Gateshead.  

SIM supports Fairtrade movement in Middlesbrough as it aims to improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest farmers by pressuring suppliers to give them a price for their goods closer to that which we pay in the shops. However, due to the current situation caused by the pandemic, Fairtade movement has been affected. In the words of Jenny Medhurst (who has been promoting Fairtrade in Teesside for the last 35 years), “prices (tea by 40%, cocoa by 25%) and orders (Kenya has lost two thirds of its orders for Fairtrade flowers) have collapsed. Huge numbers of people have lost their jobs and are struggling to feed their families.” Hence, supporting Fairtrade has, now, become more important than ever. Jenny suggests the following ways to help Fairtrade: An occasional, or regular food order for your own needs would be really helpful. (Perhaps, you could

Anyone going through difficult times mentally / physically apart from fighting with the pandemic, they are never alone. Following are the contact numbers of the organisations they can get in touch with: NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) – 0808 800 5000 (24 hours) National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (24 hours free) Mind – 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9-6) Victim Support – 0808 168 9111 (24 hours) Cruse Bereavement – 0800 808 1677 (Mon-Fri, 9-5) Child Line – 0800 1111 (24 hours) Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141 (Mon-Fri, 9-5) Respect – Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327 (Mon-Fri, 9-5 or 8) Samaritans – 116 123 (24 hours) National Centre for Domestic Violence – 0207 186 8270 Share this useful post with your networks, please.    

Some of our friends have themselves had to take great care and not leave the house at all. We have had little news of our member in a care home, but we do know that she has had to isolate in her room for her own protection. Some have continued to work as they are front-line staff or key workers. We have, between us, also supported people as follows: One member has been teaching people how to communicate using Skype or Zoom. This has delighted some elderly people who can now talk to their friends / relatives and see them at the same time. Another member has been supporting NHS staff through Samaritans. Several have been ringing elderly or vulnerable people and when necessary getting medication for them. Several of us have continued to lobby / write to our MPs on the issues of domestic

What a year it has been! So many members have suffered personal and family illnesses, bereavements and other catastrophes. Then, ultimately our lives were all changed by the Coronavirus pandemic. This meant we were all self-distancing and some self-isolating. All meetings and even cups of coffee with another member had to be cancelled. We are all living by remote control as we come to the end of this year. Some of our members will have been financially impacted by the closure of small business and reductions in staff numbers almost everywhere. Yet, we are all still here and planning for another year. Our AGM was conducted virtually. We got there! Our membership numbers have remained stable. We would like more! On the positive side, we have had a full programme of speakers, several of them quite inspirational. We have benefitted from our Friendship Links, especially,

SIGBI’s annual conference was held in Bournemouth this year. We cannot all travel to these events for assorted reasons; however, 900 Soroptimists from 17 different countries, figuring in SIGBI’s federation, did descend on the Conference Centre and many interesting concerns and issues were aired, in addition to the Annual General Meeting. Three of our Middlesbrough members attended (Geraldine Nuttall, Kathy Warrick and Margaret Clark) and, in addition, Pauline Reed went along to man the Middlesbrough stand in the exhibition stall in order to promote The Rosie May Foundation and their “Think Pink” campaign again – building on our fund raising event in June of this year. Two members from SI Brixham (Jane Lancaster and Gill Franklin) were also devoted in manning this display. Their club members have hand embroidered a most beautiful bedspread to raffle in aid of The Rosie May Trust as well. Founder

“Six weeks ago we turned to you to help save the Modern Slavery Helpline. You’ve raised an astounding £373,973, & prevented us from closing on 30th November! The lines WILL be open into the new year. We still need your support but for today, thank you for making this happen!” This is a tweet that was circulated on 30th October 2019: some of our SIM members had written to their MPs and/or donated. This is an independent organisation supported by the charity Unseen and is a National asset. if you have not already done so please write to your MP in support of Government funding in order to sustain this uniquely important service. The Modern Slavery Helpline is fully independent and confidential. It is free to call on 08000 121 700, submit reports online or spot the signs of modern slavery and report concerns using