The focus for South Lancashire Soroptimists at their recent regional meeting was Lewy body dementia. Lewy body? Perhaps the most common disease you have never heard of? Jacqui Cannon, CEO of the Lewy Body Society (and a member of SI Wigan) spoke at the meeting, hoping to ‘shine a light’ on this little-known condition. A neurodegenerative disease, Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the most common type of dementia in older people. The Society aims to raise awareness, both within the medical profession and amongst the general public. It funds collaborative research between universities, pharmaceutical companies and the biotech industry. Jacqui explained that misdiagnosis (as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, for example) can, in some cases, lead to inappropriate treatment that might even exacerbate symptoms. There is no ‘magic bullet’ for LBD, but effective intervention may slow its progress and make the condition more manageable. In this challenging

Ramsbottom’s Soroptimists are harnessing ‘Dolly power’ to publicise the club’s activities and support the international Women Against Violence campaign. Club members recently took Dolly to a regional meeting to demonstrate her work to fellow Soroptimists. Sometimes Dolly models the club’s Santa hats. Over the years members have knitted thousands to be given to newborn and premature babies at Royal Bolton Hospital at Christmastime. On the 25th of each month, Dolly wears her orange hat and scarf at the Soroptimists’ Orange Café. Orange the World is a UN Women initiative. It raises awareness and encourages action to end violence against women and girls. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from such violence. Dolly’s placard has the important and powerful message ‘NOT ALL VICTIMS CAN SPEAK’. At Christmas Dolly appeared at the town’s Christmas tree festival with her own doll named Angel.

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists came out in force to make the region’s conference a roaring success. The programme was wide-ranging but women-focussed. Speakers covered many aspects of health and wellness, education, gender equality and human rights. Violence against women and girls – what are the police doing to improve their response? How can children with complex needs be more readily identified and how can mothers be supported as the children grow? How can women find a clear path through the myths and fads surrounding the menopause? How is a major manufacturing company addressing the needs and challenges of its female workforce? Close to home, practical support and training has enabled thousands of women to develop their own successful businesses. In distant countries, a microloan can set a woman entrepreneur on the road to a stable economic future. A box of good things and a ‘sprinkling of

Soroptimists in Widnes held a special gathering to say “thank you and fare ye well” to two members of the club. Denise Parker served as President of SI South Lancashire Region, 2022-2023. Her fellow members arranged the afternoon tea to celebrate her achievement. Officers from the Region’s Executive were joined by her family to voice their congratulations – and to thank her for a busy and memorable year. SI Widnes President Sheelagh Dayus then led everyone in offering best wishes to a special longstanding member. Wendy Ross-Barker, a Widnes Soroptimist since 1999, is relocating to Scotland. President Sheelagh praised Wendy’s commitment to Soroptimism and, in particular, her promotion of Fairtrade. At quarterly Region meetings Wendy invariably set up her Fairtrade stall and, over the years, raised hundreds of pounds. On behalf of the Region current President Pam Wright commended Denise and Wendy for their service,

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists have had the opportunity to learn about the transformative power of music. Their guest speaker at the Region’s Programme Action meeting was Dean McShane, of Playlist for Life. Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity. Research has shown that listening to music that is personal to the individual can be highly beneficial to people living with dementia. Favourite tunes from key times in a person’s past can drastically improve quality of life, reduce anxiety and improve mood. This familiarity triggers memories – lyrics, events, loved-ones may come back to mind. Connections can be made with relatives and carers – it’s emotional and rewarding. Dean is a mental health nurse and senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, as well as a volunteer speaker for Playlist for Life. He recommended that everyone should develop their own ‘soundtrack for life’. The soundtrack

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists shared their favourite projects at a recent regional meeting. Given just five minutes, each club had to tell everyone the what? why? and how? of their particular choice. Several clubs homed-in on support for women. SI Leigh & District Soroptimists, for example, highlighted violence against women. Their project on the 16 Days of Activism involved the local community, including the town hall - plus 2,495 orange flowers. SI Manchester told the story of their work with local charity WomenMATTA, which provides holistic support to women affected by the criminal justice system and to those at risk. Club members supply over 250 diaries each year plus items for the clothing bank. Both SI Widnes and SI Warrington provide dignity packs. In Widnes the focus is on supporting women at after pregnancy loss or other emergencies. Warrington Soroptimists create packs of life’s essentials for

Region President Pam Wright welcomed South Lancashire’s Soroptimists to her first meeting of the Council. Retiring president Denise Parker ‘passed on’ the beautiful South Lancashire insignia This is engraved with the names of so many women who have led the region. President Pam congratulated Denise on encouraging clubs to recognise that ‘Little Things make a Big Difference’. Clubs' projects can act as ripples on a pond - making an impact, transforming lives. “Rise up and ROAR” is President Pam’s theme – both for her year and for the region’s conference. As Soroptimists we should tell the world of the excellent work we do and how we really make a difference to the lives of women and girls at home and abroad. New to the regional team are Sandy Taylor (President Elect) and Sue Underwood (Vice President). Both Sandy and Sue are past regional presidents and

Soroptimists in South Lancashire came together for their biennial lunch to celebrate their clubs’ achievements. Region President Denise Parker welcomed the large number of new Soroptimists present, and wished them many years of friendship, fun, and the satisfaction of ‘standing up for women’. Guest speaker Dr Margaret Emsley reminisced about the opportunities that Soroptimism has given her, both at home and abroad. Taking part in practical service, meeting like-minded women and challenging herself to take on a demanding role in the organisation – these have meant much to Margaret. Concluding, she hoped the newer Soroptimists would find their membership equally fulfilling. The Region’s Programme Action Officer, Sriya Kulupana, had the unenviable task of deciding on the winner of this year’s PA Award. SI Liverpool scooped the trophy for their ‘Breathe Easy’ project. The Club organised a public awareness-raising event around chronic asthma. It highlighted the

Soroptimists in South Lancashire were delighted to welcome a special guest to their autumn meetings. Sriya Kulupana (Region Programme Action Officer) introduced Lindsay Green, the Programme Director for our Federation (Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland – SIGBI). Her role is to guide and pull together all the practical project service work that our members undertake. At the Programme Action meeting Lindsay reminded members about the critical need to ‘spread the word’ about what we do, by reporting our projects. Soroptimists’ work feeds into the body of evidence that maintains SIGBI’s consultative status at the United Nations. It also supports the prominence at the UN of our ‘parent’ organisation, Soroptimist International. To put it bluntly: no reports = no support = no UN presence! It’s essential that Soroptimists report their service projects – large and small, long-term and one-offs. SIGBI’s ‘Hub’ is the reporting platform and

Soroptimists in South Lancashire continue to keep up their long tradition of crown green bowling each summer. Crosby club hosted a social bowls evening. Soroptimists from Southport, Warrington and Wigan found their way (eventually!) to Hightown. Novice bowlers received some 'basic training' to help them along, while more experienced players paired off for a few enjoyable games. The evening was rounded off by one of Crosby's excellent suppers. Fun, friendship and food! The Region's bowls season took on a more competitive note at the event organised in Padgate by SI Warrington member (and Region Secretary) Margaret Emsley. Members from Liverpool, Southport, Crosby, Leigh & District, plus Margaret's own club, met for the annual knock-out competition. SI Southport were delighted to bring their regular 'country' player, Joan Lunt. An experienced bowler, Joan is a Past President of SI South Lancashire, and now a member of SI