Fifteen members of the club got together in a member’s garden on Wednesday 23rd June for a fund raising coffee morning. Around £300 was raised for the Thames Hospice whilst enjoying meeting up again and making the most of a wide selection of cakes and scones. It was also a great pleasure to welcome Alison Sutherland – a previous Regional President.
The June meeting started on a somber note as members held a One Minute Silence for Federation President Johanna Raffen who died on 14th June. The club welcomed a visiting Soroptimist, Maureen Thompson , who is moving into the area. Baiju McGubbins then provided a most fascinating talk illustrated with videos regarding the work of Medical Detection Dogs. Medical Detection Dogs use the amazing power of the dog’s nose to detect human diseases and research is based on the dog’s ability to detect minute odour traces created by diseases. Dogs are trained to recognise specific illnesses such as prostate cancer but amazingly they can also be trained to know for instance when a human with type 1 diabetes might lapse into a coma whilst sleeping and take action. Whilst in the past there was anecdotal evidence of the ability of animals to be alert to
Even the constraints of a hospital bed didn’t deter our speaker this evening! Clive Driscoll works with victims of Forced Marriages, FGM and True Honour. He is a retired Detective Chief Inspector for the Metropolitan Police who successfully investigated high profile cases concerning sexual offences, domestic abuse and child protection. He secured prosecutions in the murder of Stephen Lawrence, and in the first honour-based murder. Tonight he gave us a fascinating, in-depth talk about FGM.
We were delighted to see this reference to Maidenhead Child Contact Centre in Theresa May’s recent comments to the House. Soroptimists from our club helped set up the Centre and a number of members have been volunteers at the Centre ever since in several cases for over 25 years. It was gratifying to have this work recognised. Extract from Hansard – Mrs May – Thursday 15th April – Domestic Abuse Bill (approx. 1.30pm) I wanted to discuss Lords amendment 9, because I have a question for the Government in relation to it. I recognise that in the private law family cases the judiciary and Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service have protocols. May I say to the Minister that from my experience of more than 20 years as a constituency MP, telling me that CAFCASS has an involvement in something does not
Charlotte Spear joined us via Zoom for our March monthly meeting just in time to tell us all about the Census taking place on 21st March. Charlotte discussed the various changes that are made for every census with the aim of coping with changes in the population and attitudes. It is possible that 2021 will be last formal census as much of the data which is collected is available in other forms such as tax returns and health and educational records. The first census in the UK was undertaken in 1801 but the records are more complete from 1851 onwards. The actual records are kept under wraps for 100 years but the data is extracted in order to provide information on where housing, schools and hospitals are most needed. The data also provides important information regarding the age, gender and racial breakdown of the population.
Alison Bourne, Chief Executive of the DASH Charity – Domestic Abuse Stops Here – was the speaker at our February meeting. Alison started off with a quiz to bring alive the huge problem of domestic abuse which has only been worsened during the lockdown for the pandemic. The police force receive telephone calls for help every 30 seconds. Each week two women are killed by their partners – the figures are shocking. DASH has three refuges and a programme currently online which aims to provide assistance to anyone suffering from domestic abuse. It is a problem that cuts across class and background. It is calculated that one in four women will be affected in their lifetime. DASH is organising an International Women’s Day Conference on Friday 5th March on Zoom – more details on their website: https://thedashcharity.org.uk/
Soroptimist International is working to improve the lives of girls worldwide, the video below shows just some of the work that our members in all five Federations have been doing in this area, from Trafficking and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to Education and improving their life opportunities. SI Slough Windsor & Maidenhead fund a student in Nepal who is now part way through her three year course to become a lawyer. The club has committed to £4000 to enable her to live in Katmandu whilst she studies. Of course at present she is having to study online due to Covid19 but she is making very good progress towards fulfilling her dream.
As our monthly meeting on 17th June falls during Ascot week, members are planning to don their best hat for the meeting which will be held via Zoom. A speaker from Family Friends Windsor & Maidenhead will be talking to the club members about the work of this charity and the possibilities of becoming volunteers.
The Annual General Meeting scheduled for Wednesday 15th April has been postponed until 20th May. This will be a virtual meeting using Zoom. Hopefully a majority of the members will be able to participate.
Our International Women’s Day event will take place on Sunday 8th March 2020, 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. in the Desborough Suite,Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF Theme: “Helping Us Achieve Our Potential” Speakers include: Dame Vera Baird, Victims Commissioner for England and Wales Katie Wright, Bethany Admans, Hannah Wright, Catie Holden – schoolgirls from the Girls Policy Forum Fiona Mactaggart, Chair of the Fawcett Society Maria Evans, Volunteer on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s Climate Emergency Committee Adults £5, Students £2, (includes light refreshments) To book your place, email: iwd2020md@gmail.com or call 01753 868785
