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

Mary welcomed Anna Curson, our speaker at our June meeting, and gave a brief introduction to the Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence. FLAG DV was set up in October 2012, and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in October 2013. The organisation was established to fill the gap left by the reduction in Legal Aid services. Anna explained that they currently operate in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. The service is open to anyone over 18. The charity arranges free one-to-one legal advice usually by telephone, with a solicitor or legal advisor specialising in Family Law. They have a bank of solicitors/legal advisors who give their time free. She explained the client pathway. When FLAG DV cannot help, they will signpost other appropriate charities. She spoke of her own history, and how she came to work for FLAG DV. She went on to

Starting in 2017, the aim of this project is to provide an independent review across England of how Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts should be improved for victims of abuse, the majority of whom are women. The project has been carried out by Soroptimists across England and involved c4,000 hours of volunteer time in observations and in excess of 1,000 questionnaires were submitted in relation to observations made at over 30 courts. The final report (of four) is now available (July 2023) and the collective reports together come very close to being a comprehensive report on the way in which the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts are working on a national basis. Soroptimists stand up as advocates for all women, especially for those who have no voice. We have worked as independent observers to give the public confidence in our courts, but we also want to drive

SI Thames Valley were delighted to host the Western Group meeting at Bourne End. with members from High Wycombe,  Newbury, Oxford, Slough Windsor & Maidenhead and Thames Valley clubs. Visit SI London Chilterns Region website for a report of the meeting. https://sigbi.org/london-chilterns/category/news/

Our speaker Ruth Walne played a short video that showed the range of medical procedures that they do and the effect this has on the patients and their families. Mercy Ships have been in operation for 40+ years offering free, life-changing surgeries to people in some of the poorest countries in the world. Most of Ruth’s work as a Plaster Technician, has been in West Africa. The ship arrives in country for about 9-10 months at a time. The types of surgery range from correcting bow-legs and knocked knees due to Ricketts [diet and possibly regionally related] to burns and tumour removal. On the Ruth’s Mercy Ship there were 5 operating theatres and 82 ward beds, where care givers sleep under the bed. There is a CT scanner, X-ray, a fully operational hospital Laboratory and Pharmacy. The ship is crewed by volunteers from over 40

  RAVIOLI?   No!   It’s bunting and was part of SI Thames Valley’s efforts to ORANGE Bourne End Market.   We were taking part in the United Nations’ Campaign to raise awareness and oppose Gender Based Violence which ran from November 24-December 10 2022 worldwide.   Stall holders willingly wore Orange ribbons too.   Contributions were also raised by the Trefoil Guild of Bourne End and stall holders of St. Paul’s church for the local Wycombe Women’s Aid which works constantly to combat Gender Based Violence and is regularly supported by SI Thames Valley        

Johanna Raffan celebrating her appointment as President of Soroptimist International with members of her club Soroptimist International Thames Valley. Soroptimists were saddened by the sudden death of Johanna Raffan, founder member of SI Thames Valley club and President of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland. She was also the first Chair of Kori Development Project Ltd. This led to the proposal to plant a Memorial Orchard in Kori District and villagers there have kindly donated the land for this project. Soroptimists everywhere have been celebrating their 100 year anniversary by planting trees and many also kindly donated money towards creating this Orchard, for which we are very grateful. The land has been cleared by local people and many fruit trees planted – mangoes, sugar plums, guava, avocados and pineapples. Would you like to donate to the Memorial Orchard or perhaps towards a bursary for

SI Thames Valley is supporting the campaign Soroptimists Orange The World 25 Nov for 16 Days of Action to End Gender Based Violence, by wearing orange on 25 June. Club members plan to continue wearing orange on the 25th of each month up to the start of the 16 Days of Activism which leads up to Human Rights Day on 10 December. The Global Orange the World Campaign is 16 days of activism to end gender based violence from 25 Nov to 10 Dec 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. The club is planning a range of activities locally to support this campaign.

Since SI Thames Valley launched the appeal, it has received funds from other Soroptimist clubs and individuals. Their generosity has enabled the club to start to build a memorial orchard in Kori in memory of our dear sister Johanna Raffan who sadly passed away in June 2021. She was a founding member of SI Thames Valley, and Federation President at the time of her death. The land has been ploughed and cleared, and different fruit trees were being planted towards the end of May. We will continue to post updates. Our sincere thanks to all who have made this possible. The appeal will close at the end of June 2022. If anyone wishes to donate before then, please contact SITV Treasurer for bank details at admayall@gmail.com   The Kori Development Project Ltd. https://koridp.org/