Jackie Webb
“When I joined in 1991 I did so because I wanted to help make a difference locally, nationally and internationally.
Over the last 30 years, I have helped out with many of our projects (see detail elsewhere on this website) and led 2 of them, giving interviews on Radio Wiltshire as part of my involvement with the latter. I’ve been especially involved with the local Nelson Trust and Swindon Women’s Aid organisations and the Bookmark and Primary School Book projects.
I’ve filled several roles in Club over the years and enjoyed doing them. I was Secretary of our South West & Channels Islands Region for 5 years; I was Conference Secretary for 2 Regional Conferences held in Swindon in the years when one of our Club members was Regional President. I was also Conference Secretary and Exhibition Organiser for the 2010 National Federation Conference held in Manchester. These roles all helped to extend me as a person, learning new skills and learning more about the plight of Women and Girls and what can be done to support them.
Over the years, I have attended Regional meetings during the year, plus the annual Conference. Additionally, I’ve attended many of the National Federation Conference. These are great occasions to network with like-minded women during the day and in the evening, as well as being able to visit some very interesting places in the UK and Malta (part of our Federation!).
I’ve made some very strong personal friendships at Club, Region and Federation level. These have continued even though former Club members have moved to Edinburgh, Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK.
It’s a great organisation to join, whoever you are, with lots of opportunities.”
Lydia Cardew
“I became a Soroptimist as I felt I had had a fairly privileged life and wanted to give something back to society. I moved alone to Wiltshire and could immediately make friends with like-minded women and get to know local people and organisations, especially those we thought we could help.
We have fun together such as sourcing mini items for Xmas gift boxes or arranging a fund raising tea party, and it makes you feel good when you can see the difference it makes to the wellbeing of the women who receive the gifts. But we make a difference on an international level as those funds might go to help train women in agriculture in Kenya and become self sufficient”
Valerie Nuttall
I joined Taunton Club in March 1995 and stayed there until 2004. In my time there I acted as Programme Action Officer and Club President. I also attended two international conferences for SI, in Helsinki and in Glasgow. Both were exciting and informative, encouraging me to go further.
I moved jobs in 2004 and spent one year at Reading Club.
I then got a permanent post at the National Trust in Swindon and joined Swindon Club. In 2007 to 2008 I became Regional President and was grateful to this club for hosting the Regional conference in June 2008. I was fortunate to arrange that the Director General of the National Trust, Fiona Reynolds, and the SIGBI President Margurite Woodstock-Riley were guests speakers and the conference was a great success. During my time at Swindon I have been Club President for 3 lots of 2 years ,also Programme Action Officer.
I value my membership of Soroptimists. I have enjoyed the various projects we undertake, have made so many friends and enjoyed the opportunities for travel.
Gillian Reed
“Being a Soroptimist has given me great insight to different aspects of lives, both in this country and abroad. We can easily become ‘safe’ in our own world and have no knowledge of the difficulties some communities have.
We have had talks from some inspiring young women that travelled around the globe.
Soroptimists have also given me some lovely friends, that have given me support in times of need.”
Corrine Daycock
I joined Swindon Soroptimists because I was looking for an organisation that cared about ending modern day slavery across the world as well as making a difference to people’s lives locally.
My internet searches led me to SIGBI, and the goals on the website were exactly what I was looking for.
I’m really pleased to have found my local club, and contributing to all the different projects is incredibly rewarding