SOROPTIMISTS AND NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK
This week, Monday 1 June until Sunday 7 June, is National Volunteers Week. The members of Soroptimist International of Selby would like to thank and pay tribute to all the volunteers, locally, nationally and internationally, who give their time, energy, expertise and experience, free of charge, to help others and make things better worldwide.
Soroptimist International is itself the world’s largest service organisation. It is committed to improving the lives of women and girls everywhere. And all on a voluntary basis.
The Club in Selby currently has 23 members and all give service – both now and before the lockdown. Four members were involved in the Monday Luncheon Club, run by Dementia Forward, for people with dementia and their carers. Another four members helped individual children with their reading in local primary schools. Other members were readers, editors and copiers for Selby District Talking News. Everyone contributed to the fund-raising events, which resulted in donations to Sleepsafe Selby, Carers Count and local flood relief.
Today, members are making face coverings and scrub bags. Others are working with local Volunteer Support Networks – telephoning isolated and vulnerable people – and one member offered her services to the National Volunteer Scheme. Members are making donations to their local Foodbanks. And Hilary Putman is nearing the end of her 26 Day Walking Challenge for Sleepsafe Selby.
Judith Cooke, Honorary Member of Soroptimist International of Selby, said: “in addition to giving service locally, we support regional, national and international projects. Members have attended meetings and events at Askham Grange Women’s Prison. We wrote to our local MP recently about the Domestic Abuse Bill. Internationally, the links with our Friendship Clubs in Australia, Germany and Ukraine are getting stronger as we exchange e mails, newsletters and updates to support each other in these difficult times.
All of our members are volunteers and give of their services how and best they can. We therefore appreciate the efforts of all volunteers everywhere, congratulate and wish them well during National Volunteers Week 2020.”