Members donated bras in good condition which will be passed to the Meserani Project, a charity supporting girls and women in Tanzania. Members also brought fabric which will be used to make bags and pads for sanitary packs.
Charles Everson gave a very interesting talk about food waste. He belongs to a group who campaign to bring awareness of food waste and suggest changes that we should all make to reduce this. The quantity of wasted food is staggering.
Our secretary, Joyce, is soon to celebrate a very special birthday. The club gave her a bouquet of flowers and provided some special Soroptimist cakes in recognition of the work she does for club and region.
Our speaker in October was Gail Walker from Teesside Dementia Link Services. She gave a most interesting talk after which our member Chris presented her with a donation for the charity.
Stockton won the Connie Dawson Plate which is awarded by Regional President Martha who chose Stockton because of the frequency of our Programme Focus Reporting during the year and the fact that we have supported the Food Bank, Refugees, New Start Bags etc. consistently throughout the year.
Two members delivered more bedding and household items to the Purple Rose drop-in centre. The items will be used by asylum seekers and refugees and our donations enable funds to be used for other items.
Eight emergency New Start bags were handed over to a member of the Cleveland Police Complex Exploitation Team. The bags will be used for victims of trafficking, modern day slavery or child safeguarding.
Sue Scott chaired the meeting and introduced the speaker Joanne Horner, Managing Director of Lakota Training Group and her partner, Jackie Bedingfield. Lakota help long term unemployed by establishing groups, arts and crafts, friendship groups, group therapy, giving confidence and helping 50% of their clients into work.
Some members had a tour around the garden centre in Stockton run by Shaw Trust, followed by coffee and excellent scones. Shaw Trust is a social enterprise and charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Good quality second hand bedding and clothing was delivered to the Purple Rose drop-in centre.
