At the December regional Programme Action meeting South Lancashire’s Soroptimist clubs shared details of their recent projects.
Manchester Soroptimists spoke about their association with WomenMATTA – a centre set up by the charity ‘Women in Prison’ to aid women in the criminal justice system. Practical and emotional support can reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Over several years the club has donated goods to the centre including a hugely popular gift – diaries.
Two clubs highlighted projects linked to breast cancer. Southport Soroptimists are well on their way to a metric tonne of bras collected for ‘Against Breast Cancer’ (ABC). Textile recovery ensures the bras have a new lease of life – and funds raised go towards cancer research.
Supporting women’s breast cancer journeys is a focus for the members of Swallows club. They have liaised with Wigan Council and the creative mindfulness group ReDoo With U (CiC) to improve women’s experiences through, for example, artwork at a health clinic and fun-fashion workshops.
Soroptimists in Liverpool spoke about their work with ‘First Step’, Knowsley Borough’s independent domestic abuse charity. A workshop for service users on budgeting, managing money, etc has been very successful and more sessions are in the pipeline.
The Leigh & District club’s ‘HOPE’ initiative also highlighted its support for the local women’s domestic violence service. Members make up emergency toiletry bags for women who may arrive at the refuge with nothing. The club’s expanding poster campaign (behind toilet doors) gives women contact details of where to go for help.
Young female carers (age 11-16) have been helped by Soroptimists in Wigan in partnership with the local carers’ centre. Workshops on mental health, body confidence, social media safety and ‘celebrating success’ have had a very enthusiastic response.
Two clubs spoke about environmental education. Crosby Soroptimists showed their video about their project to spread the ‘bee’ word, which includes donating wildflower seeds to local schools. Meanwhile Bootle & District Soroptimists have educated themselves through a visit to a recycling discovery centre.
Several international projects were presented. Soroptimists in Ashton-under-Lyne have finally drawn a line under their 8-year ring-pull initiative. They sent over 1 million to the charity Purple Community Fund, which supports disadvantaged children in the Philippines. The ring-pulls are cleaned, sorted and polished, and made into handbags for sale.
Widnes club’s ongoing support for the Rosie May Foundation includes a fundraising goal of £5,000. This will pay for a pink tuk-tuk (taxi) in Nepal and the training of its female driver. The goal is in sight! Stockport Soroptimists, too, have been supporting women’s livelihoods with their longstanding commitment to fund microloans through LendWithCare.
Bolton’s Soroptimists have also been raising funds. The charity ‘One Woman at a Time’ aims to empower girls fleeing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage by providing safe refuge, education and the opportunity of economic independence. Its focus areas are Kenya and India.
Members of St Helen’s club developed a project focussed on Ukraine at the very start of the conflict. They have continued to provide hygiene and medical products for women and their families, many layettes for newborn babies, plus funding for translation of children’s books.
Finally, back in Lancashire, Ramsbottom’s Soroptimists responded promptly to a request to help with the town’s Poppy Appeal. The club networked with many local organisations to ensure maximum coverage. Members estimate they spent over 120 hours on this project alone. It must have been a success – they have been earmarked for 2026 already!
‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’. Soroptimist members from all over the region were able to hear about tried and tested initiatives – food for thought when developing plans for their own programmes of service.