A ‘new year’ for Soroptimist International of South Lancashire brings a new team for the Region. Recently-installed President, Sandy Taylor, will be busy with visits to clubs throughout South Lancashire. Early in Sandy’s year was the celebration dinner at SI Widnes to mark the club’s 80th anniversary. Sandy joined local dignitaries – plus a host of Soroptimists and friends – to mark this special milestone of service to Widnes and to communities worldwide. President Rosemary McNamara of SI Liverpool - a 'mother club' to so many in South Lancashire - was another special guest. (And, of course, there was cake!) SI Liverpool’s own celebration of International Human Rights Day is an annual ‘institution’ enjoyed by many South Lancashire Soroptimists. A reading of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights is always a solemn and thought-provoking element of the event. Plus, a roll-call of countries

Soroptimists from all over the South Lancashire Region attended the Federation Conference in Edinburgh. This was the 90th annual conference of Soroptimist International, Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI). It was held in the Assembly Rooms - elegant surroundings complete with chandeliers and cupolas The conference programme encompassed ‘Educate – Empower – Enable’. There was a lively mix of speakers, panel sessions, updates and, of course, the Best Practice Awards for club projects. On the first day Soroptimist Sriya Kulupana (SI Bootle and District) was one of the participants in the ‘Let’s Talk About Mentoring’ panel discussion. Sriya drew on her experiences as a mentor with The Girls’ Network (TGN). Working on a one-to-one basis, TGN sessions aim to build each girl’s confidence, focus on school and personal goals, and develop strategies to withstand pressures to conform. Mentoring practice is an important element in the welcome

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists talked – and listened – at their autumn Programme Action and Council meetings. Chris Kelly of the charity ’Andy’s Man Club’ explained in a lively fashion about a national support network for men. The charity runs talking groups for men who have been through a tough time, are currently going through one, or have some crisis building up in their life. Speaking from personal experience, Chris spoke about how common it is for men to face mental challenges alone, being unwilling or unable to release the pressure. The expectation is that men should ‘man up’ and not ‘open up’ to anyone. Andy’s Man Club was established by the mother and family of a young man who took his own life. It offers a safe space where men can be comfortable to talk (or just to listen) in a room free of judgement.

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