Alison W introduced Paul Deacon, a former Wycombe Town Clerk, who retired as an International Private Banker from Coutts in 2008. In retirement he kept busy as a Toastmaster, while his wife Liz was still working fulltime as a physiotherapist. Both had always dreamt of doing something interesting, exciting and meaningful. In 2019, Paul was contacted by Mark McKeown then living in Cambodia and advising an NGO there called KHEN (Kien-Kies Health Education Network) which focuses on educating children. Mark asked Paul if he knew anyone who might be interested in raising £10K for a school in Western Cambodia. They both knew Mark, so felt they could trust KHEN. Liz had discovered she was eligible for a 6-month career break. They decided they could make this project part of their adventure, and Paul spoke of the many challenges they faced. However, they found fund-raising wasn’t

Kori Christmas decorations and gift ideas are now available.   Please click on the link for details.   Details of gifts and order form Oct 2024(1)

Dorothy introduced Donna, whom she has heard speak on a number of occasions about the environment. Donna had worked with Soroptimists in South Africa, so is familiar with the aims of the organisation. Her background is in anthropology, psychology and economics. She had produced a diagram showing how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are all interlinked, the majority falling within the remit of health and wellbeing.   She has set up a hub at the Nicholson Centre, to encourage people to try a variety of crafts, repurposing items which would otherwise be thrown away.   A number of these items were passed round – an insect hotel made from a juice carton, pin holders stuffed with crushed walnut shells and/or sand which sharpens the pins, a collage made from fabric scraps.   Sponsors from the business world provide a variety of materials, such as pallets which are turned

Join us at Bourne End Library, Wakefield Road, Bourne End SL8 5SX at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 October 2023. SPEAKER: SEEMAB an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor FOR HIGH WYCOMBE AREA SI Thames Valley have a speaker coming to visit us on Tuesday evening, 17 October at our usual venue in Bourne End Library.(Some of our Western region clubs joined us for a regional meeting back in June so will remember the location.) We are grateful to Wycombe Women’s Aid for putting us in touch with the IDVA team and having now seen the report on Domestic Violence Courts it would seem even more timely.   Seemab will describe the IDVA’s work and their support for the Women’s Aid team. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. If you would like to attend please email your name and club details as soon as possible to: sitvtreasurer90@gmail.com

Speaker Sylvia Pearl of Dianne Oxberry Trust  Sushi welcomed Sylvia, and Gill a volunteer ambassador for the Trust. This charity was founded following the death of TV presenter Dianne Oxberry who died from ovarian cancer in January 2019. With just ten days between her diagnosis from the disease and her death, they are committed to raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis. Sylvia told us she has spoken to many Soroptimist clubs via Zoom, and welcomed their support for the Trust. She explained that Dianne has been a news presenter on North West Tonight, and an investigative journalist. Her husband and friends formed the Trust to raise awareness of the symptoms and the need for early diagnosis. Sylvia spoke of the Trust’s SPREAD THE WORD campaign. Gill then identified some of the signs; if present for 3 weeks or more see your GP. Speed

Smart Works – what does this charity do? We were curious. Initially, we asked for a speaker, but instead were invited to their Reading branch. As well as learning about what they do, we were also able to see their comprehensive stock of clothing, much of it donated by retail partners. They work with unemployed women to enable them to find a job. Clients are referred to Smart Works by organisations such as the Jobcentre.   They provided the following summary of their work. “Smart Works is a UK charity that provides women with the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to succeed in interviews and get the job. In the past decade, we have opened 11 centres across the UK and helped more than 30,000 women ahead of their interviews. We are proud that 69% of clients get the job within a month of their