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Soroptimist International - Swindon and District

Soroptimist International of Swindon and District is part of a worldwide organisation of women, which is linked to the United Nations.

Welcome to SI Swindon and District

Who are we?

Soroptimist International is an organisation of women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. It was launched 100 years ago and there are now clubs in most countries of the world.

The Swindon club was established in 1960 and is now a small group of women of varying ages.  We are actively seeking new members to join us.  We need the enthusiasm and dynamism of younger women as well as the experience and wisdom of those who are older.  Contact us today to find out more and perhaps arrange an informal chat or attend a meeting.

What do we do?

Our members work together and in partnership with others, to assist women and girls to have a safe and fulfilling life.  Our principal activity is Programme Action which involves us in various projects for the benefit of women. You can catch up with what we’ve done recently on Facebook.

We hold occasional speaker meetings where we learn more about charities we support both in the UK and overseas; or cover interesting topics such as Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the Archive at Trowbridge, often by Zoom, to attract a wider audience. Non-members are welcome. Please see our Upcoming Events page to find out more about our next scheduled speaker meeting.

We are committed to a world where women and girls can achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong peaceful communities worldwide. We work for change through direct involvement in local, national and international projects.

Who can join?

We come from various backgrounds. Some of us work full time, some part time and some as volunteers. We welcome new members of any age, race or creed who have a social conscience and feel they want to ‘give something back’. Together we can utilize our collective talents.

Although based in Swindon we also welcome members who come from outlying villages and towns such as Royal Wootton Bassett, Marlborough, Devizes, Highworth and Wroughton.

Now is the time when new members can help us to achieve even greater change.  Contact us to find out more.

Recent Activity

Recent Club News

Thank you to our supporters

Swindon Soroptimists couldn't do it without you! We'd like to thank our friends at Swindon...

International Women’s Day 2024

Our visit to Swindon Community Hub We posted before that we'd be at Swindon Community...

Celebrating World Book Day 2024 at Drove Primary School

Swindon Soroptimists donate 276 books to Drove Primary School We kept our annual tradition and...

Julia’s House Open Day

Swindon Soroptimists Present Cheque for Money Raised Our members present the cheque! Open Day Swindon...

Come and Meet Us for International Women’s Day 2024!

Swindon Soroptimists Inspire Inclusion   This year, the national theme for International Women’s Day on…

Raffle Results

Festive Fundraising! Following our club's participation in the Big Dog Art Trail this summer, Swindon...

Christmas Gift Bags for the Nelson Trust, 2023

Swindon Soroptimists Visit the Nelson Trust Once again, with wonderful support from family and friends,...

Swindon Soroptimists Attend Wiltshire Police’s Conference on VAWG

Seldom Heard Voices   Our members Lydia and Jackie were inspired, moved and motivated by…

Railing Against Abuse 2023

SI Weston-super-Mare's annual event   On a beautiful sunny day, our member Lydia, head to...

Hiding in Plain Sight: a conference on Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking

SI Cirencester holds anti-trafficking conference On 24th November 2023, members of Swindon Soroptimists welcomed the...

UN Orange Day for October 2023

The UNiTE campaign has proclaimed the 25th of each month as “Orange Day”, a day...

Anti-Slavery Day 2023 with the Medaille Trust

  Medaille Trust Trafficking Awareness Meeting We at Swindon Soroptimists recently had the opportunity to…

Swindon Soroptimists Go Walkies with the Big Dog Art Trail!

Day of Service 2023 with the Big Dog Art Trail Day of Service Here at…

Swindon Soroptimists take part in the King’s Big Help Out

Our Visit to Twigs Our team of gardeners assembles! Swindon Soroptimists mark the Coronation On...

Easter Gifts to Nelson Trust Women’s Centre 2023

Easter Joy! You can never have too much chocolate at Easter!  In what is now…

‘Anyway, Listening Isn’t Enough’ – AAFDA Annual Conference 2023

'Anyway, Listening Isn't Enough' That was the theme of this year’s AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic...

International Women’s Day 2023

Embracing Equity Members Alison & Lydia with Swindon Ladies Who Latte This year the theme...

262 books donated for World Book Day 2023 to Drove School

Swindon Soroptimists Celebrate World Book Day Swindon Soroptimists joined the children at Drove Primary School,…

Christmas Gift bags to Nelson Trust 2022

With the current cold and hardship that so many are facing, Swindon Soroptimists were again…

“Railing” Against Violence Against Women 2022

Once again Swindon Soroptimists joined the South West Region clubs to ‘rail’ against violence against…

Medaille Trust donations

Soroptimists are keen to raise awareness of Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery so Swindon Club...

Day Of Action for Climate Change July 2022!

As Soroptimists each year we have a Day of Action! Across the world we all…

Easter gifts to Nelson Trust Women’s Centre 2022

Swindon Soroptimists once again wished ‘HAPPY EASTER!’ to the clients and staff at Swindon Nelson…

International Women’s Day 2022

Echoing the yellow of the Ukrainian flag, Swindon Soroptimists purchased bright daffodils and gave them…

World Book Day 2022

Swindon Soroptimists have donated books aimed at younger children, to the Drove Road Primary School.every...

Donation to SWA

Swindon Soroptimists deliver donation to Swindon Women’s Aid

Baby Items For SWA

Camilla Glass of Swindon Women’s Aid receives donation of baby goods from Swindon Soroptimists

Tree Planting

Soroptimist International (SI) with Soroptimists from across the world have joined together to celebrate 100...

Christmas bags Nelson Trust

Swindon Soroptimists were once again delighted to present their Christmas gift bags to the Swindon...

Underwear Donation

Continuing our ongoing support, club members Jackie and Lydia recently delivered a huge amount of...

Elimination of Violence Against Women Day

Each year November 25th is the start of 16 Days of Activism against gender based...

Bumper Donation

After a successful campaign on Facebook and asking friends and family, Swindon Soroptimists once again...

Food Donations

Despite Lockdown the Nelson Trust are working hard to support women.  Swindon Soroptimists have continued...

Centenary

Soroptimist International is 100 years old! Swindon Soroptimists celebrate!

Swindon Women’s Aid

Here we are delivering much needed items to the 'Survivor' charity shop, which helps fund...

Food Delivery

On 5th June and 9th July Swindon Soroptimists continued with their regular donations of food...

Prospect Fundraiser

Swindon Soroptimists contribute to #ThanksAMillion fundraiser

Easter gifts Nelson Trust 2021

Swindon Soroptimists know the value of ensuring vulnerable women are supported, despite lockdown.  Members Jackie...

World Book Day

Despite having to miss World Book Day itself due to lockdown, Swindon Soroptimists were determined...

Gift Bags Presentation 6th Year Running

Even more important after the issues of Lockdown, Swindon Soroptimists maintained their support of the...

Int. Women’s Day 2021

Despite lockdown Swindon Soroptimists have been determined to still celebrate International Women’s Day (#IWD2021).  Held...

Christmas Boxes 2019

Once again Swindon Soroptimists have presented Christmas gift shoe boxes to the Swindon Nelson Trust…

World Book Day 2020 donation

Well this year we surpassed ourselves!!  Swindon Soroptimists donated 286 books to Drove Primary School…

Swindon Club’s Birthday

Celebrating 60 years of service to Swindon and the wider community, some of the members...

Swindon Women’s Aid

Swindon Soroptimists made the most of lockdown in 2020 to have a clear out and...

Easter Egg Donation

Club Members delivered Easter Eggs and chocolates at Nelson Trust

Railing Against Abuse

Soroptimists host “Railing Against Abuse” march

Festive Fundraiser

Swindon Soroptimists started Christmas 2019 shopping early!! Members and friends of Swindon Club kicked off...

Soroptimists Easter gifts to Women’s Centre

For the 3rd year running Swindon Soroptimists have brought Easter cheer to the Swindon Nelson…

Soroptimist Jenny celebrates 25 years service

Swindon Soroptimists were delighted to present a Certificate of 25 years service to Jenny King…

Swindon Soroptimists support Swindon Women’s Aid

The Swindon Soroptimists continued their support of Swindon Women’s Aid by donating some much needed…

Swindon donate £100 to Save The Children

Swindon Soroptimists have helped Save The Children celebrate their centenary in 2019 by donating £100. …

Swindon Club’s 5th year donating books to Drove School

Happy World Book Day!  Swindon Soroptimists were delighted to kick off a week of WBD…

Fairtrade Fortnight, Bananas and Swindon Big Breakfast

  Swindon Soroptimists carried out a double celebration this week.   They celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight by…

Thanks From Enrych charity

President Valerie and Lydia from Swindon Club spent a very pleasant afternoon recently with the...

Bringing Christmas Cheer

For the 4th year running, Swindon Soroptimists have presented Christmas gift shoe boxes to the…

Railing Against Abuse

Soroptimists from Swindon, Tiverton, Bristol and Yeovil Sherborne and District clubs join together to rail

Court Observations of Domestic Abuse cases

Wiltshire Police and Crime commissioner, Angus Macpherson recently sent personal letters of thanks to member…

Suffragette Victory Breakfast in aid of Swindon Women’s Aid held 5th July 2018

Swindon Club President Valerie and Treasurer Jackie attended a celebratory reconstruction in Swindon of the…

Freedom Kit Bags demonstrated by Rosa Matheson

At our dinner meeting on June 27th the Speaker was Rosa Matheson who works tirelesly…

Soroptimists visit to Horizon finding out about help for victims of crime and witnesses

On 22nd June  we went to Devizes Police HQ to find out about the work…

Swindon Club invited to join in the Big Breakfast 25 year Celebration 26.6.2018

      For many years Swindon Soroptimists have volunteered at the Big Breakfast Plus…

Swindon Member Wins Ellen Brawn Award

Swindon member Lydia Cardew wins the Ellen Brawn Award for Programme Action at the Regional ...

Presentation of books to Drove School, Swindon in May 2018

Swindon Soroptimists visited Drove Road School recently to present books donated by members of Swindon…

A message from President Valerie

I feel privileged to be the President of Soroptimist International of Swindon and District for…

Christmas Boxes for the Swindon Women’s Centre December 2017

Club members donated lots of items to include in Christmas boxes for women offenders and…

International Women’s Day 2018

Valerie and Lydia with our display that we paid to put in the Swindon Central…

Wiltshire Air Ambulance

  Wiltshire Air Ambulance is one of the Club’s charities this year.. We have held…

Regional AGM June 2017

“Lydia, Valerie and Jackie from SI Swindon enjoying the Soroptimist Regional AGM at Tiverton, in…

Women’s Centre given Easter Eggs by Swindon Soroptimists

To help the Nelson Trust Women’s Centre in Old Town celebrate Easter and the move…

55th Anniversary Lunch

On 11 October 2015 the Swindon Club celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Club’s first…

Swindon Advertiser Article

Swindon Soroptimists are no ladies who lunch.

Christmas Boxes 2016

Club Members collected and donated lots of items to fill Christmas boxes for women offenders…

Three Members attended the SIGBI Conference in Malta in November 2016 and also gave hearing aids to SI Surulere.

The Conference was on the theme “Engineering the Future”  and featured excellent speakers including the…

Swindon Club celebrate International Literacy Day 2016

As in the last few years Members collected books for Drove Infants School. The big…

Jackie Webb presented with long service certificate

At the 56th Annual Lunch, Swindon Soroptimist, Jackie, was congratulated  by Regional President Diane and...

Annual Lunch October 16th 2016

We were delighted to welcome the Regional President. Diane and members from Cirencester, Bath, Cheltenham…

Fundraiser for Swindon Women’s Centre 6th October 2016

We held a Fashion Evening and Raffle at Gillian’s house.  Sue, a representative from the…

Summer Outing to the village of Lacock

23 March 2016 Cheque for £850 presented to Prospect Hospice

President Valerie presented a cheque for £850 to Prospect Hospice on 23 March at a…

Christmas Boxes for Swindon Women’s Centre

Swindon Club Members have filled Christmas boxes and delivered them to The Swindon Isis Women’s…

Swindon Soroptimists donate £100 to Rosa Matheson’s work educating enabling and empowering women and girls in Nepal

International Literacy Day

Valerie and Sandra took the  crate full of books,donated by S I Swindon, to Drove…

Marita Harper formidable Soroptimist, Leader of the Campaign against Obscene Publications, founder member of Swindon Club and Regional President 1965

We are sad to note the death of Marita Harper at the age of 95. …

Presentation to Swindon Club from our Friendship Link S I Surulere

            At the Federation Conference our two delegates Lydia and…

Swindon Soroptimists provide 20 backpacks for girls in Africa to be distributed by the charity Mary’s Meals

Mary’s Meals is a charity we have supported in the past and is a charity…

Celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child October 11th 2014

We put up a display in the Swindon Central Library for ten days and manned…

Swindon Club wins National Soroptimist photo competition September 2014

We were delighted that not only did the Advertiser feature our donation of 50 books…

Swindon Soroptimists give books to Drove Infants School on International Literacy Day September 8th 2014

We all obtained new and ‘as new’ fiction and non-fiction books for the use of…

Celebration for Jeanne Perons and fundraiser for the Big Project 19.7.14

Founder Member, Jeanne Perons, retired from Swindon Soroptimists after over 54years of service.  We wanted…

Report on Programme Action May 2013- May 2014

Soroptimist International Swindon & District Programme Action Report for Soroptimist Year 2013-2014 The Club has…

Preparations for International Women’s Day 2014

Swindon Soroptimists have joined with a number of other organisations and individuals to arrange a…

Bras!

Our speaker on January 22nd Eunice Salmon told members about Swindon’s contribution to Breakthrough Breast…

Successful Christmas Fundraiser for President’s Charities “Lights For Learning” and “Fight for Sight”

Chocolates and candles proved very popular with all who attended our Festive Evening at Gillian’s…

The U N International Day of the Girl Child October 11 2013

To celebrate the Day of the Girl we put up a display in Swindon Central…

‘Tea and Tarts’ a succesful event

The Tea and Tarts event on 20th July raised £225 for the BIG Project.  It…

S I Swindon & District are Runners-up for Award

Swindon Soroptimists were runners up for the Ellen Braun Award for Programme Action announced at…

Celebration of Suffragists’ Pilgrimage to Hyde Park on 26th July 1913

A number of Swindon Soroptimists went to see the play ‘Oxygen’ presented by Dreadnought South…

Induction of new member April 24th 2013

President Jenny was delighted to induct new member Margaret just before the AGM.  

Induction of Swindon Club’s New President

At the AGM on 24th April 2013 the outgoing President Jenny inducted our New President…

Swindon Food Bank

Swindon Soroptimists have received a certificate from Swindon Food Bank in recognition of our donating…

Presentation of Cheque to Swindon NSPCC March 27th 2013

Swindon Soroptimists have raised £497 for the work of the NSPCC in Swindon.  The cheque…

International Women’s Day 2013

Swindon Soroptimists gathered ‘on the Bridge’ in Swindon on March 8th again this year, to…

Demonstration of Stained Glass Making 7th February 2013

We raised almost £200 from ticket sales and a raffle at a fundraising evening at…

“A Billion Rising” Valentine’s Day 2013

President Jenny joined with local charity Hometruths and other supporters to dance at “A Billion…

Saving Lives, One Mother at a Time: December 10 Appeal for Papua New Guinea

Each year on Human Rights Day the SI President launches an appeal that serves the…

President’s Lunch – 14 Oct 2012

Members of SI Swindon and their partners were joined by the Regional President, Shirley Alexander, and…

Knickers for Knowledge!

On 6th October SI Swindon held a supper party to celebrate the International Day of…

SI Swindon supports WaterAid

SI Swindon has been raising money for WaterAid’s “The Big Dig” project (http://www.thebigdig.org/) which is bringing…

Backpacks for schoolgirls in Malawi

We collected items to put in 20 backpacks which will be distributed by the charity…

Club Meetings and Events 2011/12

2011 May  11 Business Meeting 14 Regional Meeting 21 Jan’s plant sale 22 Cirencester Lunch…

International Women’s Day

This year Tuesday 8th March 2011 is the Centenary of International Women’s Day.  The Swindon…

£207 for UNICEF

The collection at the Co-op in Old Town Swindon raised a total of £207 for…

Supermarket Collection for the flood victims of Pakistan

Eight members working in shifts will be collecting money from shoppers at the Co-op in…