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,

  We will also discuss In The Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan one of our Literary Dinner authors 2025. Amazon has this to say about the book: THE SUNDAY TIMES bestseller, as seen on BBC 2’s BETWEEN THE COVERS A WATERSTONES THRILLER BOOK OF THE MONTH *WINNER* OF THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2024 *WINNER* OF THE CRIME WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION ILP JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) DAGGER 2024 AND NOMINATED FOR TWO OTHER MAJOR AWARDS Capital Crime Book of the Year 2023 Crimefest Specsavers Best Debut Crime Novel ‘I devoured this in one sitting’ Rob Rinder, as featured on BBC 2’s Between the Covers ‘Terrifyingly timely and provocative’ Val McDermid ‘The most original crime novel you’ll read this year’ Clare Mackintosh

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

The name Soroptimist was coined from the Latin soror meaning sister, and optima meaning best. Soroptimist is perhaps best interpreted as ‘the best for women’. From the founding of the first Soroptimist club in Oakland, California, in 1921, through to the present day where over 3000 Clubs are flourishing throughout the world, Soroptimists have continued to strive to achieve ‘the best for women’ in every sphere of their lives. If you would like to join our group or want to consider becoming a Soroptimist, please call Mary on 07886469701, she will be delighted to discuss Soroptomism and SI Stourbridge club with you.  

Hamlin Fistula UK