The Club worked with Staffordshire District Council and 13 other local agencies at a community event in Leek to promote the safety and wellbeing of women and girls. We provided information, spiking kits and resources for victims of abuse, while also promoting our Club’s work and 16 Days activities. Over 100 members of the public, including local college students, attended. The event raised awareness of available support and received positive feedback from attendees.
Our Club supported the From Me to You charity by writing personal letters of friendship, kindness and encouragement to women affected by breast cancer. Club members took the time to create thoughtful messages to help recipients feel cared for, connected and less alone during what can be a difficult and isolating period. The completed letters were collected and sent to the charity for distribution to women who would benefit from receiving a personal message of support
The Club collected used hearing aids and batteries to support people in Africa who would otherwise have limited access to hearing support. Members encouraged friends, family and local groups, including the WI and Yoga group, to donate unwanted hearing aids and batteries. Nine hearing aids and several boxes of batteries were collected and passed to SI Lichfield for repair and onward distribution through their partner network. The project helped reuse valuable resources while giving nine people in Africa the opportunity to benefit from improved hearing.
The Club organised a Tropic skincare experience to introduce members to naturally derived, COSMOS-certified products while sharing the inspiring story of Tropic’s founder, who overcame domestic violence and built a successful business. The event reflected Soroptimist values of empowering women and girls and also raised funds for Programme Action and the 16 Days of Activism. Twelve members attended, enjoyed the experience and helped raise £260 for Club projects. The event also supported charities through Tropic’s charitable giving.
The Club worked with GLOW to support Sophie, a woman moving from the refuge into new unfurnished accommodation. Members helped provide and furnish her bedroom with a bed, mattress, bedding, side table, carpet and shelving. Working with partners, the Club arranged transport and delivery, with additional help to move the heavier items. This practical support gave Sophie a complete bedroom and a more comfortable, secure start as she began her new life.
The Club worked with Orchid Women’s Services to support vulnerable and homeless women in North Staffordshire. With funding from Leek Building Society, members prepared 100 packed lunches each month, containing essential food and drinks, and supported the provision of new underwear. Three Club members helped prepare the packs, which were distributed by Orchid at its Hanley centre. The project provided practical support to women experiencing homelessness and helped improve their access to food and essential items. The Club continues to support Orchid through donations of towels, bedding and warm coats.
The Club partnered with Boots in Newcastle-under-Lyme to raise awareness of women’s health, wellbeing and self-care. The event included talks, information, a beauty demonstration and opportunities for attendees to ask questions and access further support. Thirty-two tickets were sold and the event was promoted through social media. A raffle, including a hamper donated by Boots, helped raise £330 for Club projects. The event provided a welcoming space for women to discuss health and wellbeing while also raising awareness of the Club’s work.
The Club supported the National Literacy Trust’s Tales in the Park events across Stoke-on-Trent, helping promote literacy and encourage families to read together. Four members volunteered across six events, supporting registration, book distribution, arts and crafts, and event organisation. Every child received a free book, while families were encouraged to read together and join their local library. The project was enjoyed by families and helped the Club build a strong relationship with the National Literacy Trust, with members keen to support future literacy activities.
As part of the UN 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women, the Club created and staffed an awareness display highlighting how domestic abuse can be hidden behind a mask of normality. A mannequin represented an abused woman, alongside a display naming women murdered in the past year and inviting visitors to remember victims known to them. Members provided information on support services, spiking kits and personal alarms. Club members worked in teams to create the display, organise venues and resources, liaise with partners and staff the exhibits. The project was very successful, particularly through conversations with women who shared their experiences.
The Club organised a Hawaiian Summer Party to strengthen friendships, raise the Club’s profile and generate funds for its projects. The event featured salsa dancing, audience participation, a Bavarian dance, buffet and fun fundraising games. Members planned and promoted the event, organised the food and decorations, and supported activities on the day. Forty-eight people attended, including members from SI Stafford, potential new members and international guests. The event received very positive feedback and raised £448 for Club projects while strengthening local and international connections.
In collaboration with local partners, the Club hosted an exhibition on International Women’s Day celebrating the achievements of 20 local women who had made significant contributions but were not widely remembered. The exhibition aimed to inspire visitors by highlighting their stories and demonstrating how women can make a lasting difference in their communities. The Club also showcased its current projects and work supporting women and girls. More than 70 people attended, with messages of support received from around the world. Following its success, the exhibition was invited to Staffordshire Moorlands for a further celebration of women’s achievements.
The Club secured £4,760.50 from the Leek Building Society Charitable Fund to support Orchid Women’s Services, which provides practical and emotional support to homeless women in Stoke-on-Trent. Following a visit from an Orchid staff member, the Club wanted to help women access essential clothing and food. The funding provided changes of clothing for 15 women and packed lunches for 85 women over 10 weeks. The full funding request was approved by the Leek Building Society Trustees, recognising the importance of supporting vulnerable women in the local community.
Change the World, One Girl at a Time is our first international project, supporting Haddijatou (“Haddi”), a bright young girl in The Gambia whose family could not afford to continue her education. We raised funds through a Chinese Banquet to support her schooling and are committed to supporting her education towards the age of 18. Club members also write to Haddi to encourage her and build a lasting connection. Following a member’s writing competition success, we also provided her family with essential food supplies, including grain and cooking oil. Haddi is now back at school and doing well, with our support helping her pursue her education and future ambitions.
The Club created and unveiled a blue plaque honouring local woman Rita Baines MBE, recognising her remarkable contributions to the nation and community. During WWII, Rita flew Spitfires from their manufacturing base to British and American air forces and later helped establish the Beth Johnson Foundation, supporting older people across Staffordshire. Working with local heritage and residents’ groups and Rita’s family, the Club organised the plaque, unveiling event and publicity. Around 40 people attended, including four generations of Rita’s family, while the event also raised awareness of Soroptimist International and its work.
Books4Home was a brilliant project which does exactly what it says, it provides books for children who do not have their own books at home. Working in conjunction with the Rotary Club, the North Staffs Soroptimists collected unwanted books from friends, family members and neighbours. We then passed the books on to the Rotary Club, who distributed them to disadvantaged children through schools in North Staffordshire.
The Club partnered with the 89th Sea Scouts to deliver three awareness and kindness activities for Beaver and Cub Scouts, linking to the Orange the World campaign and Soroptimist values. Sessions introduced children to Soroptimism, equality, treating others with kindness and understanding how others may feel, with discussions about what to do if they do not feel safe or see something that is not right. In total, 66 children aged 6–10.5 took part, creating “Be Kind” bookmarks and fortune tellers through practical, creative activities supported by Soroptimists. The sessions encouraged children to think about kindness and respectful behaviour, with leaders reporting that the children continued discussing these messages afterwards. The projects also raised awareness of Soroptimism and strengthened our relationship with the local Scouting movement.
The Club organised a fundraising event to support local and international projects, including Glow women’s refuges and Change the World, One Girl at a Time, which supports the education of a young girl in The Gambia. Members organised a banquet, raffle, auction and local quiz, with support from other Soroptimist Clubs, friends and family. The event raised £995.90, providing ongoing support for women moving on from domestic abuse and funding one year of education for the Gambian girl. It also strengthened Club teamwork and raised the profile of the new Club within the local community.
We held our first fundraising event, a garden party in support of the Peter Pan Centre, which provides vital support to children with special needs and their families. The event brought together local community members and businesses and raised over £650. The funds were used to provide individual play therapy sessions, helping children access valuable early-years support.
