Sevenoaks Foodbank (Loaves & Fishes)was set up 12 years ago by two mums who realised some children were arriving at school hungry. Soroptimist International of Sevenoaks is one of the many local organisations to donate goods. It is run by volunteers & open once a week. Rather than giving out  bags of food , the policy is now to let the families choose their items. There is a cafe offering tea, coffee & chat. Advice on further available help  is there for those seeking it

SI Bromley and SI Sevenoaks joined forces to create a splash of orange at the Polhill Garden Centre Café and we did manage to attract some attention!  Seventeen of us met for coffee and a lovely chat – so nice to have plenty of time!  The Manager and his team were very welcoming and one of the chefs came out to see us and took the photo above. Sandie Higgs PAO SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks have been collecting small and medium men’s clothes to support the Gatwick Detainees.  These asylum seekers arrive with very little and we are pleased to be able to support them with jumpers and other items.  We have a link through our former member, Beverley, and she kindly collected 4 bags of clothes on 3rd January. Sandie Higgs Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

Orange the World – UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls 25th November 2023 “SI Sevenoaks have been Oranging the World again, this month at the Bullfinch pub in Riverhead, Sevenoaks – they kindly let us in early for coffee and we could serve our own cakes!  We wanted to make this one special as it is the actual UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  We had extra balloons and posters and most of the members and guests who attended are pictured here enjoying a friendly chat and, of course, the cake!  We left posters and leaflets for the staff and other guests at the pub; we are hopeful that the Bullfinch Social Media Manager will put an item on their website to help spread the word!” Club Member Programme Action Officer Sandie

Novembers meeting began with a very interesting talk on Powerful Women at Knole by Curator Samantha Bailey. President Pauline and club members welcomed and enrolled Barbara Ropek and Jean Bright as new SI Sevenoaks members. We were delighted that Regional President Alison Driscoll could join us.

SI SEVENOAKS CELEBRATE CAMFED’S SUCCESS! SI Sevenoaks have been supporting CAMFED, the charity which supports the education of girls in Africa, for many years now.  We have been lucky to have Valerie Caton in our club; until recently she was a trustee of CAMFED and has always given us regular updates about the work of this wonderful charity.   We were delighted to hear that the highly influential commentator Nicholas Kristof and the New York Times have just made CAMFED their top recommended non profit to support.  See the piece below: CAMFED named as a top cause to support this giving season In the New York Times on 18th November 2023, Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof names CAMFED as a top cause to support this giving season. “Of the dozens of nonprofits I’ve recommended, CAMFED is the top audience favorite […]” – Nicholas Kristof, New York Times This year’s ‘greatest hits’ version of Kristof’s annual holiday gift guide highlights the top causes

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING On Friday 29th September SI Sevenoaks held a coffee morning in aid of the Macmillan Cancer charity. Our hostess, Sandie Higgs, made us very welcome and those present, some forty members and guests, were able to enjoy her lovely lakeside garden on a beautiful late summer’s day. Special thanks go to incoming Regional President Alison and SI Bromley for helping us raise the grand total of £556.

ROCKDALE 1948 – 2023 On Monday 4th September, a glorious early autumn day, seven members of SI Sevenoaks joined residents and guests for a “forties” themed garden party to mark seventy five years of Rockdale retirement centre. As usual the grounds looked immaculate. Speeches were made by Rockdale Chairman Ian Grattidge, Sevenoaks Mayor Claire Shea{included in our group photo} and the High Sheriff of Kent, Nadra Ahmed. Tea and cakes were served and musical entertainment provided by Henry’s Big Band. As pointed out in his speech by Mr Grattidge, our club has a special connection with Rockdale, since it was established by Beatrice Wilson, a founder member of SI Sevenoaks. It is our privilege to hold our monthly meetings in the room which bears her name. Pauline Payne {President SI Sevenoaks)

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