Our January meeting was one of our best attended yet! The dark, cold night did not deter Salisbury Soroptimists from turning out to discuss our projects for the year. In setting up the room we had to request more chairs to be brought in! We broke into groups around tables to discuss different aspects of the Women's Safety project which we are putting forward as our entry into the regional project competition. This project has already been making progress with streetlight audits and two successful conferences. We are now planning what more we will do this year. After the discussion and sharing of club news, President Jenny Hair welcomed two new members Virginia Haworth and Michelle Smith. We hope they will both enjoy being members! Members were alerted to our forthcoming events: March 8 - 1pm Link for Equity in the Market Square in support

Call your friends and make a date to join us at Harnham Parish Hall for our annual quiz night. Fun rounds and supper included (fish n chips/chicken/veggie burger). Cash bar with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. Proceeds will be split between our two main charities, Salisbury Refuge and EdUKaid. To enter your team (or ask to join a team) contact: soroptsquiz23@gmail.com  

On Sunday 27 November members of the Club stood alongside members of  the Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Salisbury as part of the UN’s annual #Orangetheworld 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women.  United by a common desire to see an end to violence against women – they were there to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the many other manifestations of violence against women and girls. There was a lot of interest from Festive Market goers; young visitors were particularly keen on the orange and purple balloons handed out and the fresh fruit handed out to both adults and children were ice breakers to a series of conversations about domestic abuse and what we can all do to spot it in relationships and to stop it. “We are particularly grateful to local fruit sellers Central Fruits and Simply Fruit who supported us with fresh

SI San Fernando are celebrating their 60th anniversary! They asked clubs around the world to contribute to a peace patchwork by creating a 12 inch square patch. Our member Annie Hotton stepped up to create this patch. The martisor represents our link to sisters in SI Chisnau, Moldova. SI Salisbury members Bernie and Eleanor handed over our club peace patch to Renata and Sandra from SI San Fernando at the SIGBI conference in Belfast.

At our October meeting President Jenny Hair, congratulated Eleanor Evans on her election as SIGBI Assistant Programme Director People for 2022-2024. She presented her with a bouquet of flowers as recognition of this important role. Jenny also congratulated Lisa Scandling, who, next year, will become Regional President-Elect of SI Southern England. Jenny commented that both Eleanor and Lisa brought recognition and honour to the Club, as well as themselves, by stepping up to wider public responsibilities in Soroptimism. We hope that they both enjoy their roles. Jenny inducted Karen Gadd and Edwina Berkeley as new Soroptimist members, presented their badges and welcomed them to the Club.

Safety in Salisbury Our 'Safer Salisbury' project was launched with a conference last year. Since then a steering committee has taken the initiative forward, there have been streetlighting audits and a Schools' Forum. This time, we wanted to engage with the public and ask the question "What would make you feel safer in Salisbury?" Changing behaviours Although the physical structure of the city, providing good lighting and uncluttered streets help make us feel safe, it is often more about the behaviours and attitudes of others. There are many campaigns working to change unacceptable behaviours. White Ribbon - aim that men promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women 'Have a Word with Yourself' Asking men to intervene when mates are acting inappropriately 'Do the right thing' Key-note speakers Dame Vera Baird KC, Former Victims Commissioner talked about ‘why words matter’