https://sigbi.org/newcastle-upon-tyne/ www.sigbi.org/.uk             Soroptimists from Newcastle upon Tyne ORANGE the world!   25th November marks the UN International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence which ends on 10th December (Human Rights Day). Members of Soroptimist International Newcastle upon Tyne will join other Soroptimists across the world taking action and calling for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence takes place between 25 November and 10 December each year. The theme for 2020 is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” On each of the 16 days of activism, Soroptimists from around the world will be tweeting, posting on Facebook and Instagram to raise awareness of campaigns to support women in violent situations. Please engage with our campaign. As the

  The 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence takes place between 25 November and 10 December each year. The theme for 2020 is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” As the world retreated inside homes due to the lockdown measures introduced to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports showed an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women.   “Accompanying the crisis has been a spike in domestic violence reporting, at exactly the time that services, including rule of law, health and shelters, are being diverted to address the pandemic,” stated the UN Secretary-General’s report, “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19“.   In the lead up to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, we are pleased to share the following videos : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llNP__bW-o0&feature=emb_title- The Shadow Pandemic narrated by Kate Winslet – 1 minute long

S.I. Newcastle members have added a new challenge to their list to celebrate 💯 years of Soroptimists: planting 💯bulbs each. So far 3 members have achieved this. It promises to be a beautiful spring. #askmewhyiamasoroptimist #soroptimists @SIGBI1 @soroptimists For more information about how we are celebrating 100 years, please see our 100 for 100 page

In September, we were fortunate enough to be shortlisted for the Northern Region’s ‘Reach for the Skies’ award.  While we did not win, we received a certificate  (Please see below) .   A copy of the presentation given by our Programme Officer, Christine, is available on our Women’s Safety and Security page. This gives more information about the project and the Domestic Violence Champions.  

During lockdown, we’ve been collecting items of clothing for various charities. So far we’ve donated over 200 items.

In the 2019 -2020 Programme Action report, we mentioned that club members were very impressed and inspired by two young Domestic Violence Champions who had attended one of our meetings.   We gave their organisation £1000 to provide them with ‘hoodies’ to promote their work. We are going to receive a further update at a future Zoom meeting, but meanwhile they have sent us photographs of their new hoodies which carry the Soroptimist logo.    

In October,  one of our early members, Edith Base,  is being celebrated as one of some hundred women who have made a difference to women and girls in their lives. We are so proud of her and what she has achieved.  In October, you will be able to read her story by following the link below, but meanwhile you can learn more about her by visiting our Club History page. Club History : https://sigbi.org/soroptimistcentenary2021/a-brilliant/showcasing-one-hundred-soroptimists-for-the-centenary-100-4-100/whoisshe-soroptimists-for-the-centenary/   #Whoisshe?  

S.I.Newcastle upon Tyne are donating 100 hand creams to Care Homes in Gosforth.  One member liaised with three retail companies, another provided the bags and walked around all 16 care homes in the area delivering the thanks and good wishes from Newcastle Soroptimists.