16/06/26 Supper Evening, Talk about effects of the cost of living crisis.
Good evening, good food, good company., followed by a very interesting talk by Emma Taylor who detailed the difficulties caused by the cost-of-living crisis and explained help available. .
10/06/26 Loneliness Awareness Campaign @ Sheffield Station
Community Rail in Action: Connecting People at Sheffield Station for Loneliness Awareness Week
On 10 June, the children’s charity Railway Children and Community Rail at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority brought people together at Sheffield Station with a vibrant awareness stand marking Loneliness Awareness Week 2026.
Throughout the event, passengers, visitors and rail staff were encouraged to visit the stand and explore a wide range of free, local community activities accessible by train. From walking groups and heritage projects to arts initiatives and volunteering opportunities, the team showcased how the rail network can support people to stay active, connected and engaged—creating a welcoming space for conversation, offering signposting to support, and inspiring involvement in local activities.
The stand also offered practical advice on how to explore these opportunities affordably and sustainably, helping people make the most of South Yorkshire’s rail network while improving their wellbeing.
With support from TransPennine Express’ Safeguarding team, the Soroptimists and the British Transport Police, the event reinforced important messages around railway safety and safeguarding. Colleagues engaged with the public to raise awareness of how to spot and report concerns, and the support available for vulnerable individuals on the rail network.
This collaboration supports a shared ambition to make stations and trains safe, welcoming spaces for everyone.
Loneliness Awareness Week is an important moment to highlight the role Community Rail can play in reducing isolation. By encouraging people to travel, connect and take part in shared experiences, Community Rail initiatives help build stronger, more inclusive communities.
The event was supported by East Midlands Railway (EMR), British Transport Police (BTP), TransPennine Express (TPE), the Soroptimists, Amulet and the Community Rail Network (CRN). This strong partnership working across the rail industry and voluntary sector highlights the value of collaboration in delivering meaningful community engagement.
Together, we’re helping to ensure that South Yorkshire’s railways are not just a means of transport, but a gateway to opportunity, connection and community wellbeing.
To learn more about upcoming Community Rail activity across South Yorkshire as a volunteer or attendee, contact SYMCA’s Community Rail Officer at CommunityRail@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk.
Credit: Cathrine Ashworth- Community Rail Officer with SYMCA
08/06/26 Litter Picking with SI Hallamshire
For Environmental Day some members of Si Hallamshire and Si Sheffield together gathered 16 sacks of litter from Winn Gardens’ playground and field.
07/06/26 Tribute for Joyce Stocks.
Joyce died on the 7th May at the age of 94. She was a stalwart member of this Club for many years and we remember her with pride.
She was born on the 4th of February 1932 and grew up in Sheffield. Her father was a chemist and owned a pharmacy. When she reached secondary school, she attended High Storrs and there, she was in the same year as Brenda Jackson. They became friends and remained so for life.
She trained as a dentist and she worked for the school dental service in Sheffield.
Joyce joined this Soroptimist Club about 1970 (we do not have the exact date). It was she who introduced Brenda to Soroptimism and to this Club.
She was active in the Club and supported many activities and projects. She was not one to seek Office but was a reliable member and maybe will be best remembered for her great support to Brenda over many years and over Brenda’s many advancements. In this capacity she attended many Regional and Federation events and Conferences and acquired a great working knowledge of the leading lights of Soroptimism at the time. When Brenda was Federation President, her Conference in 1985 was held in Liverpool and Joyce played a key part in the behind the scenes organisation.
Joyce was involved in several community activities and in other organisations in Sheffield. She was able to follow an active life in the early years of her retirement.
In later years, mobility issues and failing eyesight greatly limited her activities and she was less able to attend meetings or join in activities. By the time of the Covid outbreak and lockdown in early 2020 she was registered blind and was essentially housebound and she resigned from our Club. So, she was a member for about 50 years and contributed much.
She had a gentle and dry sense of humour, much appreciated by the rest of us. We will remember her with respect, gratitude and honour.
Please join me to observe a minute’s silence in her memory
Sheila Duncan, June 2026
30/05/26 Regional President’s meeting held by Susie Westwood.
Susie Westwood hosted the President’s meeting on a sunny day with lunch in the garden of her rhubarb farm. Daphne had a great day as Si Sheffield’s representative.
25/05/26 Orange Café at Tesco.
Orange Café returned to Tesco in May where Hilary, Chris L, Lynne and Sue G manned the information table. Chris left leaflets and talked to interested visitors.
21/05/26 Daphne represented Si Sheffield at the Master Cutler’s Feast.
19/05/26 President’s Message.
- It is an honour to be President of SI Sheffield again. I was President in 1992 -93 and again in 2015- 16 and briefly in 2017-8 when we had a shared Presidency. This will be the first time as far as I know that we have had a joint Presidency and I am honoured to share this with Gail.
- I am very grateful to Daphne who like Gail and I, was not thinking she would volunteer to be President last year– but volunteer she did and she has done a marvellous job.
- In our 99th year we will continue to have good meals together, listen to interesting speakers and work towards Soroptimist goals. Currently Gail and I do not as yet have a joint charity for the year but during 2026-7 we will of course continue to support Winn Gardens, the Refuges and Prior Bank. We will also continue with the monthly Orange cafes, usually held in Tesco. Where we can, we will make a difference to women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.
- The Executive has divided the year into thirds and has allocated each third to one of the Programme Action groups. It is envisaged that each group will lead for their 4 months, finding speakers for the social evenings and putting on fund raising and other events.
- So the new Presidential year starts with Group 2 ( Sustainable Environment and Health) who will be in charge from May to August.
- We are now a much smaller Club than when I was President in previous years. This is due to many factors but probably the greatest change has been in the way that the internet now dominates women’s lives at work and in social contexts, which Soroptimist International and indeed all of us need to embrace to make us relevant as Soroptimist women in the 21st century
- Never forget that Soroptimist International holds general consultative status with the UN and has 26 representatives full time at 7 UN centres worldwide, advocating for women’s and girls rights.
19/05/26 Social Meeting with talk on local charity GROW.
