Cervical cancer is largely preventable through regular screening and HPV vaccination, as recommended by national guidelines, and it can be cured if detected early and treated promptly. Yet it remains the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths annually, with 94% of those in low and middle-income countries. On 17 November 2020, 194 member states signed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Resolution to Eliminate Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem by 2030. The Resolution set out three global targets to be met by 2030: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccination by age 15, 70% of women screened by ages 35 and 45, 90% of women with pre-cancer or invasive cancer receiving appropriate treatment. The key to cervical cancer prevention lies in boosting public awareness, strengthening health literacy, and improving access to information

        Do you ever worry that your children or grandchildren might be in an unhealthy relationship? Every young person deserves a relationship built on respect, trust and safety — free from abuse. Talking openly about what’s healthy, reasonable and acceptable is one of the most effective ways to prevent harm before it starts. Simple tools can help start those conversations. Resources like the Loves Me / Loves Me Not bookmarks, shared by many Soroptimist clubs in their communities, have become powerful conversation starters for young people and families alike. Women’s Aid has also produced some excellent information on healthy relationships https://www.womensaid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Controlling-Behaviour-in-Relationships-talking-to-young-people-about-healthy-relationships.pdf Soroptimists continue to take action to improve women’s safety in our communities. Learn more about our work: sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-work/womens-safety.    

      STAY SAFE WHEN USING AI AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INFORMATION ON GYNAE CANCERS  There are five gynaecological cancers – Womb, Ovarian, Cervical, Vulva and Vaginal – and they affect 22,050 women a year in the UK. That is 60 every day, and sadly, 21 will die too soon. Getting diagnosed early gives the best possible chance of successful treatment, and to spot the signs of cancer, you need to know your body, know what to look for and feel empowered to speak up and get help quickly. Yet a recent survey of 2,000 women found that only 1 in 3 could name a single gynaecological cancer; only 1in 3 had heard of HPV, and only 7 in 100 women felt they had a good understanding of gynae symptoms before experiencing them. Increasingly, women are going online to find answers to their questions,

Huge thanks to all who were able to do generously donate.  The total collection from Soroptimists & Whitehall Road neighbours included 90 Easter eggs, 5 others packets of jellies/ small eggs, 39 toothbrushes & paste, 15 toiletry items and 2 baby food pouches. An amazing collection which will be much appreciated by the food bank & especially children at Easter. Diane’s donations are in addition. Total value approx £430.

  Signing up is easy https://thebigplasticcount.com/sign-up/households The Big Plastic Count is open to everyone of all ages! By signing up to take part, you’ll help reveal the true scale of the UK’s plastics crisis and uncover what really happens to our plastic once it leaves our homes. Taking part is simple: You count your plastic packaging waste for one week and submit your results online to receive your households personalised plastic profile. In case you missed it, the UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into plastic waste is back next month! From 9-15 March, thousands of us from schools, households and communities across the UK will be counting all the plastic packaging we throw away for one week The Big Plastic Count 2026 comes at a critical moment. Since the last Count, we have a new government in place that has promised to tackle plastic waste. This year’s Count will gather

Penny Rushen from SI Stourbridge had great fun creating wonderful items using silk clay with women from our local refuge. Here are photos of some of their creations   They also had  a free raffle using toiletry donations for prizes