Skip links

Works For Us – development programme to help women back into work

Works For Us – development programme to help women back into work

in Tags

MK Council collaborates with local charity to support women back into work MK Council has partnered with our linked charity, Works For Us, a local charity supporting women into work whose jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. MKC is investing over £26,000 in the Women and Work development programme to help women who have recently lost their job, are at risk of redundancy or are looking to get back into work after a career break. The courses are designed to help participants find roles that suit them, with support available on CV preparation, job applications and interviews.  Works For Us also provides mobile tablets and internet packages for those with limited access to devices and the web. Those interested in applying should visit www.worksforus.org.uk. The Works For Us programme is just one of the projects in the Council’s £2.25m economic recovery plan, with over

Celebrating Invisible MK Women – February

Celebrating Invisible MK Women – February

in Tags

Lois Hembedoon Adura Esq, Lawyer Personal testimony of a victim of the paradox of male child syndrome in Africa Mrs Lois Hembadoon Adura Esq, a lawyer by profession. A wife, a mother of two young children, a girl (13) and a boy (6). An advocate for girl child education. A voice for the voiceless vulnerable widows, barren women and elderly women in need. I am the founder of “Save by Grace” Charitable Foundation. I reside in Milton Keynes, UK with my lovely husband Dr Peter Adura, a Medical Doctor with our kids. I worked for Marks & Spencer plc for 10 years before I resigned to pursue a career in the legal profession. Brief background: I am the first child out of four girls. My father went to be with the Lord when I was six years old with three siblings and an illiterate mother. Our

Celebrating women
MK Womens Voices Partnership celebrating International Day of Women

MK Womens Voices Partnership celebrating International Day of Women

in Tags

The newly formed Women’s Partnership of Milton Keynes* is inviting you to join them on Sunday 7 March for a lively mini-festival. They are putting on a stimulating and entertaining afternoon where the entire focus will be on championing women’s voices. Their patchwork of FREE online events is a perfect introduction to the globally celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th. So let’s tell you more by starting on Sunday 7th March with an array of panel discussions  with local artists and activists, films focused on women, topical talks from NHS workers and other professionals, activities from crafts to yoga, podcasts to accompany you on an energising walk, and spaces to simply relax and enjoy yourself.  There is even a special story for children being read by a local author, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Join them, and why not bring the name of a

Women of the World Annual Festival
Women of the World Festival 1 March – 21 March 2021

Women of the World Festival 1 March – 21 March 2021

in Tags

WOW Women of the World Festival – starting Monday 1 March and running to 21 March. Over three weeks this Festival will explore everything from mental health to sex in lockdown, radical childcare to #SayHerName, and being everything from a grandmother to an artist in a pandemic (or both!). This is a year that’s been so tough on women – in August 2020, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that “Without a concerned response, we risk losing a generation or more of gains towards gender equality”. WOW has responded to this with a programme that is the most global, digital, urgent and optimistic WOW yet. We hope you can join us.  Please support. Click here for more details and how to join.  

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

in Tags

There will be a number of events taking place to celebrate International Women’s Day and celebrate.   Please see below events happening locally and regionally supported by Soroptimists: Regional Meeting/Conference and Celebration of International Women’s Day Sat 13 March 10am to 1pm on Zoom –  We are excited to be marking this special day in the #Soroptimist calendar with two inspirational women leaders – ACC Kerrin Wilson, QPM – Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police and Shrabani Basu author of the “Spy Princess” who will talk to us about Noor Inayat Khan -the first woman radio operator to be infiltrated into occupied France in 1943. See below to read more about these two wonderful women.  All are welcome, there is no charge, simply click here to book your place on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-leaders-international-womens-day-soroptimist-event-tickets-137607268043 If you have any queries please email silondonchilterns@hotmail.com ACC Kerrin Wilson, QPM – Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police – Kerrin is one of

16 Feb Branch meeting – Truly inspiring

16 Feb Branch meeting – Truly inspiring

in Tags

We held our branch meeting on 16 February and were very privileged to listen to our speaker, Valerie Williamson, Local British Empire Medal recipient for services to our community and a Paralympian Archer winning silver and bronze medals.  She told us about her life, how she was written off at birth and how with the help of wonderful parents, her can do attitude and her motto, which is “There is no such word as can’t” she has made a life for herself and dedicated herself to helping others.  Truly a wonderful person to listen to. To learn more about Valerie, click here which will take you to a film clip on the Living Archive website. We also were lucky to have Helen Byrne our regional representative along to tell us about the upcoming 13 March virtual event celebrating International Women’s Day, with speakers Assistant Chief

Works For Us – Are you looking for Work?

Works For Us – Are you looking for Work?

in Tags

“Works for Us is a Milton Keynes-based specialist employability service charity dedicated to providing free training, careers guidance and support for people in and around Milton Keynes. They provide tailored support to suit their clients’ training and employment goals through the delivery of free courses, training opportunities, workshops and drop-in sessions, They are able to help their clients by: Boosting confidence and interpersonal skills Helping to manage stress and anxiety Providing careers advice and guidance Assisting with CVs and covering letters Supporting to find suitable volunteering and work experience opportunities Provide digital support to those that need support with IT Offer a wide range of free support sessions. Click here to visit their website to find out more and how you can access this support.

#Pledge2021 – My Pledge

#Pledge2021 – My Pledge

in Tags

2020 was anything but normal, yet in many ways it highlighted the need to look out for each other. So, we at SI Milton Keynes want to encourage people and children to make a pledge of kindness and hope. Whether it’s a one off or a regular pledge, let’s put something back into the community for Soroptimist International’s 100 birthday year. As Princess Diana once said: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Below are some examples of pledges you can make once or for longer. Remember this will make you feel good as well as the person (s) who receive this act of kindness. Click on the following Form #Pledge2021 to download the pledge form, complete it with your name and pledge and send it

Celebrating Invisible MK Women – January

Celebrating Invisible MK Women – January

in Tags

Zoe Raven – Acorn Early Years Foundation Born and brought up in Wellingborough, I became actively involved in environmental issues and the local Friends of the Earth, before going to Royal Holloway, University of London for my first degree, in English Literature.  In 1983 I married Chris, a fellow student, and we moved to Milton Keynes.  I then did a Master’s degree at Queen Mary (also Uni of London) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the Institute of Education – also in London, but with my placements being in Milton Keynes, at Springfield Middle School and Radcliffe School.  My first ‘proper’ job (after a paper round while at school, working in the Castle Ashby gift shop in the summer of 1980, and Saturday job in a delicatessen in Virginia Water, where the regular customers included local celebrities like Frank Muir) was at Ousedale

Saved by Grace

Saved by Grace

in Tags

Our member, Lois Hembadoon Adura, has published a powerful book about the real life ordeals of females living in a community with male preferences. One of the greatest injustices within the human race over thousands of generations is the belief that females are inferior to males. Coupled with factors such as widespread poverty, lack of education, religious beliefs and unjust traditional laws made and enforced in favour of the male folk in the African culture. By refusing to celebrate the female child at birth, treating her as a liability (something good only for marriage), failing to grant her access to quality education, blaming her for childlessness in marriage, depriving her of a share in the family inheritance as well as treating her like part of her husband’s property to be inherited, we all contribute to this great injustice that has brought about untold hardships to