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International Women’s Day 2023

Embracing Equity

This year the theme is #EmbraceEquity  and ladies at both Ladies Who Latte networking groups joined members in showing support and solidarity by making the #IWD2023 theme pose. Each one of us can actively support and #EmbraceEquity within our own sphere of influence. We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.  Club members held their own pose on a Zoom call!

Afternoon Tea
Swindon Soroptimists gathered with Nelson Trust staff
Centre staff Penny & Tracey with members Valerie, Gillian & Lydia

On the actual International Women’s Day 2023 how better to celebrate than by holding an Afternoon Tea party!  Swindon Club  were delighted to support the Swindon Nelson Trust Women’s Centre, who planned the Afternoon Tea to celebrate the event, by bringing homemade cakes to contribute and add to their Bake Off cake competition!

As Tracey, Partnership and Development Coordinator said,we wanted to celebrate and honour all the amazing women we support. The theme for this year is to ‘Embrace Equity’ whereby the Nelson Trust continue to support everyone we encounter based on their individual needs and circumstances, maintaining equity throughout our service wherever possible”.

John Trolan stands next to Lydia while holding a piece of cake
CEO John and member Lydia

Four Swindon Soroptimists, Lydia, Gillian, Valerie and Corrine went to help and join the fun and were pleased to meet Nelson Trust CEO John Trolan and get him to try Gillian’s excellent Lemon Drizzle cake!  As Project Officer Lydia explained to him, ”we have supported the Centre for many years and like to contribute to the well being of the ladies and staff, hence this year bringing them all bunches of daffodils to brighten these difficult times”.

A table of cakes, ready for the judges
The cake Bake Off table ready for judging!

Many of the women that use the centre came and enjoyed the huge number of cakes and sandwiches, with Centre staff making it all look like a very professional Afternoon Tea with cake stands etc. The event was a great success with Vee Cooper, Nelson Trust Centre manager saying to the Soroptimists later, “A big thank you to you all for yesterday. We are still eating cakes today!  We are so grateful for the time, care and support that all of the Soroptimists give to the Nelson Trust, you are a very valued advocate of our charity”.

Our member Corrine also braved the cold to help the Nelson Trust raise £126, by asking customers for donations at the Swindon Wildcats ice hockey game.

The Nelson Trust is a charity that works with women with multiple complex needs across Swindon and Wiltshire. Find more about them at Nelson Trust.