After months of chatting over Zoom, it was wonderful to finally meet our friends from SI Stafford in person on Saturday 19 September, for what turned out to be a fabulous, if rather wet, day in Liverpool. Five members from Stafford, including President Michelle, made the journey by train to Lime Street Station, where they were met by members of SI St Helens at our usual rendezvous point, the iconic Ken Dodd statue. Despite the blustery weather, spirits were high as we set off on a walk to the Catholic Cathedral, affectionately known by locals as “Paddy’s Wigwam”. Once inside, we took time to admire the stunning architecture, learn about its fascinating history, and appreciate the spiritual significance of this Liverpool landmark. Thankfully, by the time we emerged, the rain had eased, allowing us to continue our day a little drier than expected! Our next

  This past weekend was everything a friendship link visit should be, full of laughter, learning, delicious food, memorable experiences and, most importantly, friendship. We were delighted to welcome our friends from Soroptimist International Stuttgart Zwei for a weekend of sightseeing, socialising and sharing the work we do in our communities. Having experienced the incredible hospitality of our German friends during our visit to Stuttgart in 2024, it was a real pleasure to return the favour and show them some of the very best our region has to offer. Our weekend began with a visit to St Helens Town Hall, where we were warmly welcomed by Mayor Stephen Little and his assistant, Sue. Following a lovely lunch of sandwiches and cake in the Mayor’s Parlour, we enjoyed a fascinating tour of the historic building and learned more about the civic history of St Helens. It

Members of Soroptimist International St Helens were delighted to visit the Mothers’ Union at St James the Great in Haydock, where we were greeted with a wonderfully warm welcome, complete with coffee, cake and biscuits, which is always a promising start to any gathering! Alice Egerton, who has proudly served as a Soroptimist for over 30 years, and Nicola Parkinson, newly appointed President of the St Helens club, shared an engaging talk about the organisation’s rich history. They spoke about Soroptimist International’s beginnings more than a century ago, its global growth, and its enduring mission to educate, empower and enable women and girls. The conversation also highlighted the ongoing, often “quiet” work carried out by Soroptimists and women  generally across the borough today. This includes programme action supporting women around maternal health, tackling period poverty, and raising awareness of domestic abuse, practical, compassionate efforts that

Stepping into the role of President of Soroptimist St Helens feels both exciting and genuinely meaningful. Our club has always been rooted in one simple idea: when women and girls are supported, encouraged, and given opportunities to thrive, whole communities become stronger. That belief is what brought me to the Soroptimists five years ago, and it’s what inspires me now as I take on this new chapter. Before looking ahead, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to President Linda. She has led our club with warmth, dedication, and tireless commitment over the past three years. Her passion, especially for supporting families affected by organ donation, the Ukraine war or autism, has made a real and lasting difference. We’re incredibly grateful for everything she’s done and the strong foundation she leaves for us to build on. A lot of people still ask, “So… what