SI Nantwich and District is delighted to support our member Kath Lewis in her year in office as our new Regional President.
Fuel poverty is becoming a very serious issue as prices rise and poorer families struggle to “heat or feed.” The members of Nantwich & District Soroptimists decided to try and help prevent the loss of heat by providing cuddly hot water bottles and furry blankets to those in need. We supplied 41 blankets and 32 hot water bottles to “Chance Changing Lives” in Crewe, the Foodbank in Nantwich and also the Dementia Thursday Club in Nantwich. They were all very gratefully received.
Nantwich Soroptimists asked the Community Champion for the YMCA in Crewe if there was anything they needed for the local families who were struggling at the moment. Tracey said that what would be wonderful was if she could provide them with some Easter Eggs. A quick whiz round the shops and 46 Easter Eggs were duly collected and passed on.
“Chance Changing Lives” in Crewe (who are one of the main organisations we try very hard to support) contacted us to ask if we could help one mother and daughter in dire need. They had been abandoned and had absolutely nothing apart from the clothes they stood up in. The girl was aged 12 and her mother a similar slight build so we talked to our grandchildren and children to see who had some clothes to spare? We were thrilled to be swamped with suitable donations. We were able to supply 45 items of clothing including coats, shoes, hoodies, leggings, pyjamas and many more. Michelle from Chance told us that the mother was overcome when she was given the clothes and said that now she felt she would be able to move on and make something of their lives.
Ten members of the Nantwich club had a very active day at Morrisons store in Crewe where they purchased over £1000 of products to donate to the charity Chance – Changing Lives.The charity has a social supermarket “Community Pantry” which supports 140 local vulnerable families and supplied uswith a list of basic items which are always in demand. It was a major shopping expedition as the Soroptimists had to gather about 70 of each of the basic items and ended up with very full and very unwieldy trolleys. All the goods were loaded in Chance’s van who very gratefully took them away to fill the Pantry’s shelves.It was a real joint project as Morrissons came up trumps by first sorting the items and then giving us a 15% discount. Although we hadn’t been able to do any major fund raising events last year because of
As part of the celebration of the first centenary of Soroptimist International in 2021, more than 100 Soroptimists have been selected to be commemorated as part of the #WhoIsShe? Campaign. The centenary of the organisation seemed a fitting opportunity to recognise and celebrate the professional and personal commitments made by these outstanding members in the furtherance of the aims and objects of the organisation. One of these women is Dr Violet Gladys Pritchard who has been a member of Nantwich Club for 45 years. Born 25th November 1928, Sutton, Surrey. Violet attended Wallington County High School for Girls, Surrey, from September 1939 as World War 2 began. She matriculated in June 1944 and hoped to take her Higher Schools Certificate. She studied at London Polytechnic for a BSc to gain a place in medical school. The London Hospital offered her a place in October 1948. She graduated
For many years we have supported the YMCA in Crewe and their work with vulnerable families. Our contact Tracey Bentley has been in despair this year because she was not able to get out into the community and work with the families to give them the support they so desperately needed. One activity they were able to do was during half term they delivered a “pack” to 42 of their most vulnerable families. Mainly single mums with children. The packs included activities for the children, a bit of pamper for the mums and a £10 voucher for Asda. Tracey said that the mums are very proud and even though they might be in need, they would be very offended if actual food had been put in the pack. A voucher was ok. The YMCA wanted to do the same for the mums at Christmas but
Club officers visited members to offer them a mini-cream tea of a scone with cream and jam, home baked from a local café. It was a way of keeping in touch and offering a little treat during lockdown. Here is what some of our members had to say. “What a lovely thoughtful gift from you all and much enjoyed by us both! We do feel a little isolated during this lockdown, which we are going to endure for a spell longer I’m sure. Without the fellowship of Sorop friends and fantastic neighbours life would have been harder for us both” “Please will you thank everyone for the delicious scone which I shared with Tony. It was huge and absolutely scrumptious. The card was touching and just what is needed now. I think
Remembrance Sunday was very different this year. With lockdown restrictions meaning that the usual parade and ceremony could not take place, our wreathes were laid on our behalf at the war memorials in Nantwich and Crewe. One of our members was in Nantwich Market Square at 11.00 and noted that the 2 minute silence was very poignant. We will remember them.
Here is a link to an excellent blog by Rachel Weinhold, a member from SI Rossendale, setting just what we do and explaining how we go about it – definitely worth a read: What Do Soroptimists Do? Our Position Statement
