Soroptimists in South Lancashire Region welcomed Gillie O’Rourke as guest speaker at the recent meeting. Gillie is Chair of the United Kingdom Programme Action Committee (UKPAC). UKPAC assists and supports Clubs and Regions in their service work. The Committee aims to give guidance, make recommendations on projects, provide training – whatever is needed. Integral within our Federation (Soroptimist International, Great Britain & Ireland : SIGBI), it forms part of the Director of Programme’s team. The Chair of UKPAC also represents Soroptimists on several external forums including the 6-0 group. This is made up of the six leading women’s organisations in the UK: Business and Professional Women, Federation of Women Graduates, National Council of Women, Townswomen’s Guild, National Federation of Women’s Institutes – and SIGBI. Recent UKPAC projects have focussed on Modern Day Slavery, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Special Domestic Abuse Courts. In all

Soroptimists from four clubs in South Lancashire Region can celebrate a successful collaboration in support of local women. Liverpool, Crosby, Southport and Bootle Soroptimists have - at last! - achieved their pre-Covid aim of working together on a hospital-based safeguarding project. The Soroptimists raised over £7,500 for the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The money is earmarked for use by the Safeguarding Team who care for vulnerable women attending the hospital. This fundraising was the initiative of Crosby Soroptimist Sandy Taylor when she was President of the South Lancashire Region. “We originally envisioned a ‘room of safety’ at the hospital,” said Sandy. “However, the need now is for the funds to be used to support individual women, as identified by the Safeguarding Team. “Over lunch in the 'Sky' restaurant we discussed with staff how the hospital recognises and then ensures the safety and privacy of

Which charity is a strategic partner for the NHS – and saves the health service hundreds of thousands of pounds each year? Blood Bikes! A team from the Greater Manchester group recently visited South Lancashire Soroptimists’ regional meeting. Volunteer speaker – and avid biker – Bharat Patel told the story of the charity and its service. The bikers provide out-of-hours transport for blood, platelets, samples, surgical instruments, vaccines, human donor milk and many other clinical products across the UK and Ireland. The volunteers kick into daily action once the NHS transport service stops. From 7pm to 6am during the week, and 24 hours at weekends and bank holidays, Blood Bikers can be called out. They also work with other organisations - Air Ambulance charities, for example, for replenishment of their 'Blood on Board’ service. As Bharat explained, the volunteers’ service is completely free of charge

Stockport Soroptimists recently welcomed speakers from the charity Blood Bikes Manchester. The volunteer bikers of Blood Bikes Manchester provide out-of-hours transport for blood, vaccines, samples, donor breast milk (for premature babies) and other urgently required medical items. This courier service is used by hospitals, hospices and other healthcare sites. They ride from 7pm to 6am during the week and 24 hours at weekends and bank holidays. Daytime 'mercy missions' may also be undertaken. Deliveries have taken the bikers all over Greater Manchester, and beyond. Whenever and wherever they’re needed the bikers are ‘go’. The volunteers’ service is completely free of charge, thus allowing the NHS to divert funds where there is greater need. The Soroptimists learned that all bikers operate from home, so the charity has no expensive offices to pay for and no paid staff. The volunteers don’t even claim expenses. Blood Bikes depend

Fleeing domestic abuse – yet migrant women with insecure immigration status may have no refuge. At the Region’s winter meeting South Lancashire’s Soroptimists learned of a young charity tackling this situation. Sriya Kulupana (Programme Action Officer) introduced Becky Barlow and Careen Joseph of ‘Beauty for Ashes Refuges‘. This organisation, based in Manchester, is reaching out to the women and their children. The majority of the women needing support have a spousal visa as they are married to UK citizens. The husbands sponsor them – but where there is domestic abuse the women are not entitled to access a safe house. They are exempt from the protection of the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act. The charity is fundraising to provide a refuge in the Manchester area. It is due to open in early 2023. There are plans for a ’boutique’ model, enabling the women to craft items

Soroptimists in South Lancashire began their autumn regional meetings in sombre mode. Region President Dorcas Akeju spoke for all when she paid tribute to the late Queen – citing her dedication and service throughout such a long, eventful reign. Members stood in silence to honour Her Majesty’s memory. ——————— At the Programme Action meeting, the Soroptimists welcomed Charlotte Ellwood, a community fundraiser for North West Cancer Research (NWCR). This is an independent charity that concentrates of the cancer needs of people in North West England and North Wales. It has a long history starting with the Friends of Liverpool Radium Institute in 1948. NWCR looks at what is important in the region’s cancer ‘makeup’ and aims to fund appropriate, locally-focussed research. Charlotte spoke of the region’s cancer patterns and how they can differ from the country as a whole. For example, there are over three

Members of Soroptimist International, South Lancashire, are deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen dedicated her life to the service of the nation and held fast to that promise. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.

Soroptimist Regional President Dorcas visited the Refugee Women Connect drop-in centre in Liverpool with a donation of £100. This was generated from SI South Lancashire Region’s auditor who waived her fee for the current year, and from the conference account. Refugee Women Connect provides information, advice and support for female refugees, asylum-seekers, and victims of trafficking – and their children. It is a women-only charity. Services include care for pre- and post-natal women and their babies, mental health support and practical activities. The aim is to help women build a safe life in the UK.

Soroptimists in South Lancashire focussed on Act 4 Africa at the Region’s Programme Action meeting. SI Manchester members Sue Underwood and Barbara Blaber led an informative session on the charity’s progress. Act 4 Africa currently works in Uganda on tackling gender inequality. In sub-Saharan Africa this inequality impacts women, girls, their families and their communities. Females face violence. Their inferior position in society can leave them powerless and vulnerable. All Act 4 Africa’s projects follow their tried-and-tested HEAL strategy;  Health, Education, Agriculture and Livelihoods. Sue and Barbara described some projects. Health: In Uganda’s Mayuge District a project working with adolescent mothers provided support on mental issues as well as sexual and reproductive health. Covid-19 money was used to fund the creation of a bore-hole to supply water. Education: Only 40% of girls attend primary school and only 15% complete Uganda’s secondary education. Kathy’s Kindergarten provides