SI Sevenoaks were looking forward to a planned historical walk of Otford – a pretty village just north of Sevenoaks.  Member Valerie Caton had organised it and member Margaret Nicholson, an Otford resident, had prepared an informative talk for us.   We went ahead with our walk, even though it was raining hard as we set off!  Undaunted, we followed Margaret, trying not to spike each other with our umbrellas, and had a really interesting  time, including learning some hitherto unknown facts about the duck pond and the Royal Palace there.  We spent a little time in the pretty church of St Bartholomew and finished up in the Olive Branch Café, which is part of the Hospice of Hope charity shop in Otford High Street, where we enjoyed some more chat and a delicious cream tea!  The photo shows us in the field in front of

SI Sevenoaks club member Tina Fenner has been fostering desperate asylum-seeking children for over 20 years; she has fostered more than 30 youngsters during that time, some for 2 years or more.  The children, girls as well as boys, often arrived at Tina’s home traumatised and scared, sometimes with no reading or writing skills and no spoken English.  Tina has provided sanctuary, care and support including teaching them literacy skills and has seen her young charges go on to successful and worthwhile lives.  One young woman, who had been trafficked, needed to stay with Tina beyond her 18th birthday, which the authorities permitted, to enable her to overcome the trauma.  Tina is still in touch with her as she is with many of the others.  Here she is redecorating one of the bedrooms in her Sevenoaks home for the next young asylum seeker. Tina only

SI Sevenoaks have a special relationship with the Rockdale Centre, a wonderful facility in Sevenoaks combining housing for the elderly with assisted living and residential care. Rockdale is set in the heart of Sevenoaks but has extensive gardens to which the residents have access. SI Sevenoaks are privileged to meet there, in part due to one of our founders, Beatrice Wilson, being a prime mover in setting up Rockdale back in 1948. To celebrate 75 years, the Rockdale Management invited members to a guided tour of the grounds, which have many features and wonderful plants, followed by a chance to view residents’ art and craft work, and some tea and delicious cake! Eight SI Sevenoaks members attended, led by President Pauline Payne (in the centre of our picture); our new Town Mayor Cllr Claire Shea and other Councillors were also in the party together with

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They? Starting in 2017, the aim of this project is to provide an independent review across England of how Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts should be improved for victims of abuse, the majority of whom are women. The project has been carried out by Soroptimists across England and involved c4,000 hours of volunteer time in observations and in excess of 1,000 questionnaires were submitted in relation to observations made at over 30 courts. The final report (of four) is now available and the collective reports together come very close to being a comprehensive report on the way in which the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts are working on a national basis. Soroptimists stand up as advocates for all women, especially for those who have no voice. We have worked as independent observers to give the public confidence in our courts, but

On Sunday 25th June, probably the hottest day of the year so far, SI Sevenoaks went to the café at Coblands Garden Centre in Riverhead for an Orange the World event.  5 members, 5 prospective members and 3 past members gathered for a chat and a coffee or a cool drink, before going among the plants for our photo shoot.  Coblands staff had kindly displayed our poster and then took the photo for us;  we were also able to hand out a few leaflets, including to a young police officer who was very interested in the project as she and her colleagues are focusing on the problem of violence against women and girls.  Some of us then headed off to buy some lovely plants – all in all a successful afternoon! Sandie Higgs Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

At SI Sevenoaks club meeting on 9th May Treasurer Margaret Nicholson presented Pat Downing with flowers in appreciation of her dedicated service as President during the past year. Pat handed the chain of office to Vice President Pauline Payne, who extended a warm welcome to newly-enrolled member Tina Fenner.

SI Sevenoaks celebrated Coronation Sunday by running a stall at the town’s fair. Programme Action Officer Sandie Higgs, helped by President Pauline Payne,  organised a colourful display.  The children’s lucky dip proved especially popular, raising a considerable sum for Pauline’s charities, CAMFED and Arts without Boundaries. Photos include club members Sandie, Shirley and President Pauline, Sevenoaks Town Crier and Graham

Violence Against Women and Girls Soroptimists  Orange the World on the 25th of each month raising awareness of issues.    25th April 2023 we raise the issue of ABUSE BY PERSONS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST for the  monthly campaign.  Visit our website and read our latest Blog by Pam Robertson  https://sigbi.org/ukpac/2023/04/24/abuse-by-persons-in-positions-of-trust/

We were delighted that Anna Perolls, CEO of Hospices of Hope came to our March club meeting to give a talk on Journey Of Hope. Anna followed in the footsteps of her father, Graham, (founder of Hospices of Hope)leading the organisation she said “I have supported and loved my entire life is both a privilege and an honour” “Everyone deserves to live and die with dignity and without pain”. Hospices of Hope is a UK and US based charity which improves the quality of life for children and adults with a terminal or life -limiting illness through their hospice care. To find out more about their amazing work and network in Bucharest, Moldova, Albania,Ukraine and Greece please go to their website https://www.hospicesofhope.co.uk/

A big thank you to club members Shirley and Margaret for organising a lovely Presidents Lunch for President Pat Downing MBE, SI Sevenoaks club members and guests. Club Treasurer Margaret presenting the orchids.