President Joyce Message – Week Eight

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists,

Whilst I get great pleasure in putting together my weekly message to you, I often find that the hardest part is the opening few lines. But this week I am going to begin with a very big THANK YOU to you all.

Your Regional Officers have made very great demands on you in the past few weeks; demands for information, for opinions, for comments and for returns.  Secretary Joan, PA Chair Karen, FCC Margaret and myself have made these requests because we have been asked them by Federation Office or UKPAC. Your Club Secretaries and PA officers must be a little weary of this continuous bombardment. But you have never failed to provide the feedback or information needed. It makes our jobs so much easier to have your input as we are representing you all in the Northern Region. 

I have had some really lovely messages and cards this week; including a bumper bundle of post on Monday which certainly cheered up a miserable wet morning. Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to get in touch in whatever way, it is very much appreciated.

Club News

It was good to hear from SI Sunderland‘s new President Rosemary this week and learn about their efforts in the emergency. Members continue to make Twiddlemuffs for Care Homes and Hospitals as well as Face Masks. They are also giving great support to their local Foodbanks and two members are delivering bags of food for those in need in Sunderland.

SI Newcastle upon Tyne  shared with me their plans for the SI Centenary: everything which is achieved is measured in quantities of 100 – 100 tins of Food for the Food Bank; 100 baby blankets for hospitals; 100 items of clothing for Homeless women; 100 sanitary products for Newcastle Hub and 100 photographs of Trees; in addition members are reading 100 books between them. I wish them well and hope they achieve their century in everything they undertake.

Also, for the emergency, members are providing support at Testing Stations.

SI Stockton-on-Tees President Sue came across a local Health and Wellbeing charity called Little Sprouts. They work in the most deprived communities, supplying cooked meals and delivering to the local Food Bank. Sue’s Daughter and Granddaughter were able to go shopping and purchased large quantities of nappies, toiletries, tinned goods, pasta, jam etc. paid for by generous donations from Club members. A second shopping trip will be happening shortly, this time questioning what their specific needs would be. Sue’s granddaughter, Lucy, is pictured with the first consignment.

The Club’s continuing partnership with Cleveland Police to provide New Start Bags, looked to be in limbo due to the pandemic; then Julie began ordering goods online, shopped for toiletries at a local supermarket, and has been able to complete 5 bags for women which were collected this week by DS Martyn Weston of the Vulnerable Exploited Missing Trafficked Team. [VEMT]