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Poems in the Pandemic Winners Announced!

Poems in the Pandemic Winners Announced!

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Poems in a Pandemic is a poetry and art competition for frontline social care support staff, leaders and nurses to capture their thoughts, feelings and experiences of caring for people in a pandemic. Social care and support staff working in care homes, the community and in all-care settings are at the front line of the coronavirus fight, working alongside the NHS and supporting the country’s most vulnerable people. Angela Richardson SI Sunderland member felt that the contributions from these staff deserved recognition and their experiences need to be shared and their stories told. Today the winners were announced via an excellent Zoom presentation. President Rosemary Jenkinson read out the winners of the categories we had judged and each person read out their winning poem. Congratulations to Daniel Lynn and Sharon Ireland for their excellent work. Below are some screenshots of the ceremony, go to our Facebook
Welcome home Cheryl, Daft as a Brush Coastal Walk Nears Completion.

Welcome home Cheryl, Daft as a Brush Coastal Walk Nears Completion.

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You will have heard of the amazing 7,000 mile coastal walk that is being carried out by Brian Burnie for his Daft as a Brush charity. However, you might not be aware that, during the journey, SI Sunderland member, Cheryl Finlay has been with him on his walk every step of the way.  On Saturday, 19 September, Cheryl and Brian accompanied by SI Sunderland members past and present walked back into her home town of Sunderland from Seaham seafront to Sunderland Glass Centre.  Welcomed by The Mayoress of Seaham Linda Willis, the socially distanced walkers were joined by past member Tania le Marinel and current members President Rosemary Jenkinson, Joan Downs, Pat Suckley, Vi Stoker, Pat Howe, Anne Brown and of course Cheryl. Cheryl has been part of this remarkable fundraiser from the outset.  Since 2018, she has attended meetings to source Bluebell, the bus
Poems in the Pandemic Competition

Poems in the Pandemic Competition

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This week saw the virtual launch of the Poems in the Pandemic poetry and arts competition, which was the brainchild of SI Sunderland member, Angela Richardson (along with her business partner Marie Barrigan through their care sector business, ACE Training). We are proud to say that this project is being supported by Soroptimist International at a National level and we hope that clubs right across the country can help to promote the competition and, in doing so, raise awareness of the amazing work done by staff in the care sector, not just during the pandemic, but every single day. If you'd like to listen to the recording, here's the link https://youtu.be/o3yu9mZF3bw
The Zoom Party

The Zoom Party

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The Zoom party is well underway. Well done Karen and everyone else who helped put this together. At 7.00pm when the party started the event had raised £846. WOW!    
Ann Brown
Lockdown Poetry Please

Lockdown Poetry Please

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SI Sunderland member Ann Brown has been keeping members inspired and involved during Lockdown with her weekly 'Poetry Please' emails. The first edition, a single poem, was delivered on the 2nd April and since then nine more editions have been shared. Ann believes that friendship and support are what we need at this traumatic time and is something Soroptomists easily give and receive. She enjoys reading both to herself and out loud an eclectic mix of poetry.  Some traditional, some modern, some sad, some comedic with each poem relaying a message to the reader or listener.  Sunderland members welcomed the poetry and began to send Ann their favourites to which she added images, each edition now has 3 pages of varied poems. Friendship buds and blossoms, like summer in full dress Friendships bring a harvest of joy and happiness Friendship is sustaining, through winter winds and
SI Sunderland 80th Charter Year

SI Sunderland 80th Charter Year

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In 2018 SI Sunderland celebrated its 80th Charter year. In March 2019 at the end of President Megan Blacklock's year, we had a magnificent lunch at the Grand Hotel Sunderland. This slideshow was made to mark the occasion, to inform and entertain guests about our history. To view the show just click on the image and you can view the slides at your own pace. We hope you enjoy it.   80th Charter Year Slideshow
Advice for Women around Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare during COVID-19

Advice for Women around Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare during COVID-19

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The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Advice leaflet aims to inform and empower women to make the best choices for their sexual and reproductive health. It details the changes to provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare during COVID-19, including what type of care women can expect to access and how they can access it. We hope the information it contains will help you to support your community during this confusing time.

Guest speaker Irene Lucas CBE

Guest speaker Irene Lucas CBE

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On Wednesday, 12 June, President Kathleen Tuddenham’s guest speaker was the truly inspirational Irene Lucas CBE. Originally from Ashington in Northumberland, Irene rose from a career in the public sector in Sunderland, breaking new ground in sports and leisure management at a national level, to Chief Executive roles, senior positions in Whitehall, as well as chairing the Hays Travel board. Threaded through her story is a determination to make a difference at a community level to people who struggle against disadvantages, but who are willing to work hard. An outstanding example of a woman who embodies the Soroptimist mission to Educate, Empower and Enable others.

Ex-President Cheryl warmly welcomed in Ireland

Ex-President Cheryl warmly welcomed in Ireland

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Many of you may know our ex-President Cheryl Findlay is walking the entire coastline of the UK and Ireland, an amazing feat which is taking two years to complete. Cheryl is walking with her husband Brian Burnie, the man behind this epic coastal walk in aid of his cancer transport charity Daft as a Brush. At various points, Cheryl is making contact with Soroptimist clubs and very recently she has met with people from our Northern Ireland contingent. Here are some snaps taken recently –  SI Portadown’s Maureen Maguire joined Brian for a little walk (in the rain) and was then shown around the Bluebell Bus, which is acting as home for Cheryl and Brian for the entire journey .   Cheryl was hosted by the “small, but very active” group of 9 members from SI Londonderry, (Cheryl is front right). Above, left is Maureen Maguire