SI Chesterfield and District
Our Club
From our glory days at the turn of the century when we had some 50 members, we are now one of the smaller Clubs, but we think we make a little go a long way. Having tried various meeting patterns we find the one which suits us best is twice a month. The Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month to plan activities, keep up to date with what is happening both in the world and in the Soroptimist World and to share news. Currently we use a room in the Methodist Church on Whittington Moor. On the third Thursday of the month we meet at the Chesterfield Football Club Stadium for a supper and, usually, speaker meeting. This applies throughout the year except August, when we do not meet, and December, when we meet once to celebrate International Night.
Service
One of the aims of Soroptimism is to take part in Service activities. However, changes in the modern world, the need for police checks to work in some areas, issues of safeguarding and so on make working in the community increasingly difficult.
In the past we organised transport and a concert for the elderly and housebound. Later we arranged a summer day out with a meal for groups of Young Carers. In both cases, other organisations stepped in so, when the time was right, we moved on to do different things. Currently, linking service with International Women’s Day, we arrange a coffee morning for parents whose children attend a local organisation, Fairplay, which supports children and young people with disabilities and additional needs, and their families, across North East Derbyshire. This event was set up in consultation with Fairplay, who support our initiative. This year it is taking place, slightly later than usual, on Tuesday 19th March at Fillipelli’s, a café in the centre of Chesterfield. We also provide a free raffle with a prize for every Fairplay parent who attends.
Individual members are active in many other local Groups. For example, Sue works with a small team to produce craft work under the banner of Pearl 1 Knit 1. This is sold throughout the year and the proceeds shared between local charities. Members Sandra and Sharon support the local British Legion by delivering poppies and donation boxes across our local hospital and then running a stall in the main foyer selling poppies and other items.
Speakers
Soroptimism is international so we invite speakers to attend our Supper Meetings to inform us on what is happening locally, nationally and internationally.
In July 2023 we were delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Theresa Peltier, then still comparatively new in the role. The forty some of us assembled were treated to a valuable lesson on the history of female High Sheriffs as well as the charities which she was supporting and why they were important to her. Of particular interest to us was her involvement in the newly formed group, Friends of Foston Hall, which aims to help vulnerable women imprisoned there.
Later in 2023, Sushri Wells, Vice Chairperson and Trustee, came to speak about the Chesterfield Asian Association. Again, this was another interesting and inspirational talk. The Association is going from strength to strength, expending in the near future to premises near the centre of Chesterfield. Sushri gave us a clear insight into the difficulties all generations are facing in the current economic climate, and how the Association gives help and support.
At our next Supper Meeting on 21 March 2024, we are looking forward to hearing from Robyn Riggans, who will talk to us about the WORTH charity, Women On The Road To Healing. A survivor of domestic abuse, Robyn discovered that, although there are many charities supporting women who are escaping an abusive relationship, there is very little to help women on the healing journey and provide long term aftercare as they recover and rebuild their lives. WORTH offers one to one support as well as a safe space and access to a range of well being groups. We are looking forward to learning more.
With all our speakers we look for ways to further engage with them. However, as a minimum, when the speaker is from a charity, we make a £50 donation.
Charities we support
We have several organisations to which we offer regular support. These include the local, Chernobyl Child and Gussie’s Kitchen, and the International, WaterAid and Pipal Tree, a charity working in Nepal. Then, each January, we look at what other donations we would like to make. This year the Club has decided to focus these on local charities including the Chesterfield branch of Citizens Advice.
Where possible we aim to do more than simply contribute funds. We have, for instance, lobbied on behalf of WaterAid, provided food and other items to Gussie’s Kitchen and kept up to date on how we can support the work of Chernobyl Child, which has been badly affected as a result of COVID.
Our on-going fund raising effort is the collection, by member Margaret, of a range of items including costume jewellery, old technology etc which is then sold. We are always looking out for new ways to fund raise in these difficult economic times.
The Future
The issues which we face will be similar to those faced both by Soroptimists and many other organisations: recruitment of new members, retention of members, finding members prepared to lead, to take on all the roles necessary to run a group and so on. Like others, we are continually seeking ideas to help.
Currently this is more challenging due to the Modernisation Plan which our parent organisation, SIGBI, is producing. This puts much more emphasis on technology and mass communication through our Soroptimist Hub. Unfortunately, some members do not have, or cannot access the Hub. Therefore, an additional challenge going forward is how we continue to keep all members engaged and feeling part of our wonderful international organisation.
Still, when you look at what is happening to women across the Globe, the work to maintain and strengthen the rights of women is as important as it was when our organisation was founded over a 100 years ago. SI Chesterfield and District is working hard to ensure that we are around for the next 100 years.