Formed in 1943 by St Helens business and professional women they soon realized, jointly they had a voice, the ability to raise awareness and as an added bonus, the ability to generate funds to help local organisations.
The core of Soroptimist International is Programme Action, covering the six programme areas of Health, Human Rights & Status of Women, Education, Environment and International Goodwill and Understanding.
Locally they continue to offer regular support to T S Scimitar, Women’s Aid and Women’s Refuge, Young Carers, Carers UK, Guide Dogs, The British Legion, , Macmillan Cancer Support, and The Lilac Centre at Whiston Hospital, to name just a few
Belonging to a World Wide organisation they help many International projects and have consultative status with the U.N. The current project is working with Chori Chora, Empowering Girls in Nepal and we have Joanna Lumley as our global embassidor The last international project was the Meru Womens project which was a partnership between Soroptimist International and child.org.
In October 2008 member Bernadette Platt, was installed as Regional President for South Lancashire at the Barbados SI conference, a proud moment for St Helens. She follows June Wilson, Alison Hall and Alison Jones, all having served as Regional officers and June Wilson nee Tickle went on to serve as Federation Treasurer and as International Treasurer.
St Helens is situated between the Cities of Liverpool and Manchester and has grown from tradition manufacturing roots into a thriving, modern town. The town centre has many shops and cafés to tempt people by day and for night time entertainment there are a selection of quality restaurants and bars to choose from.
Theatre and concert facilities are provided by the recently refurbished Theatre Royal–which in 2007 was voted one of the top 10 jazz and blues venues in the UK. Famed for its sporting connections, St Helens offers year round horse-racing at Haydock Park, powerboat racing at Carr Mill Dam, seven high-quality golf courses, and is the home of all conquering rugby Super League team ‘Saints’.