Last Thursday, members met at the Scotch Corner Hotel for our July meeting.
SmartWorks
Our PA Officer gave a presentation “Learn about SmartWorks“, which is one our charities for this year. SmartWorks is a UK Charity that has helped over 35,ooo women with free career coaching, interview dressing and preparations for them to help get a job. The charity started in North London in 2013 and has spread out across England and Scotland. Leeds was opened in 2019. The charity provides not only the free coaching and clothes for the interview, but they also continue the relationship with the client. They help to provide a wardrobe for the 1st month, to get through to their first pay day.
Leeds SmartWorks has over 100 referral partners in Yorkshire, including HMP Askham Grange. They have supported 888 clients in 2023/24. Wendy showed the video story of 2 clients. They explained how the charity has helped them to not only get the job they went for, but also built up their confidence. The following statistics show what great work SmartWorks is doing:
69% of people get a job in the first month of working with SmartWorks
47% had been unemployed for over a year
14% had applied for over 50 jobs
20% are over 5 years unemployed
43% are Ethnic minority
19% are disabled
SmartWorks is always looking for donations of good quality clothes, shoes and accessories to give out, and for Volunteers to help. SI Richmond & Dales was proud to present a large selection of items which members have donated.
Event at Scotch Corner in November
Details were confirmed for the event we are holding at the Scotch Corner Hotel in November. This is a talk with supper being organised in conjunction with Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club. They are our main charity for this year. We are helping to raise funds for especially adapted swimwear. This enables women and girls to continue their training during their periods. Without this, they lose up to a quarter of their training time every month, setting them back and discouraging them from continuing. We are delighted to announce that the famous British Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies will be the speaker at this event. Tickets are on sale, and we hope that all 200 will be sold.
Sanitary & Incontinence wear
Members also donated a large quantity of sanitary and incontinence wear. This will be given to the Colburn Community Foodshare for distribution.
Women of Richmond
Our recent exhibition for International Women’s Day celebrated women who have contributed to the Richmond Community. We have been asked to show this again at St Mary’s Church, Richmond over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Members are invited to nominate women for next year’s exhibition on the same theme for all of Richmondshire.
Long Service Awards
Two 30 Years Long Service to Soroptimism Certificates were recently presented to members Sue Fenwick & Sandy Baxter. This was during an outing to local beauty spot Thornton Hall Gardens. At this meeting a presentation was made to Margaret Clayson for 40 Years Long Service. These ladies have been important and active members of SI Richmond & Dales throughout. We are very grateful for their contributions.
Member Sandy Baxter also highlighted news of another active and long-term member of our club, Ann Morton. Ann has been celebrating her 64th wedding anniversary alongside her husband Gordon. Congratulations were offered for this alternative “long service” achievement.