On Tuesday 21st October 2025, we were delighted to host two speakers from Smartphone Free Childhood and to welcome our sisters from two other clubs. We were horrified to hear about the negative effects of smartphones and social media, especially on girls. We decided to take action by alerting school governors and our friends, families and colleagues to The Parent Pact which is a voluntary pledge made by parents to delay giving their children smartphones until the end of Year 9 (at least age 14) and social media until 16. There are live leaderboards which show how many parents in a region have signed up and you can even filter by school! The issue has become more topical recently with a ban on social media for under 16s introduced in Australia and a national consultation on the issue closer to home! If you would like

    Rebecca Ewing and Emily Clarke are Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) who spoke about their work supporting abused women and helping them navigate the Criminal Justice System (CJS) ‘One Domestic Violence incident is reported every minute’ Emily and Rebecca work with communities in Wycombe, Chesham and South Bucks empowering women to make choices with access to refuges, a helpline and Freedom Meetings with access to GPs and Health Care Professionals regardless of age, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and religion on a one to one basis with their Care worker. There are many forms of Domestic Abuse: Physical sexual abuse, rape, and strangulation which are easier to prove than psychological abuse including coercive and controlling behaviour and financial constraints.   It can affect elderly people and teenagers. IDVAs are involved in Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences  (MARAC) with police, health, housing and child protection when the

Our Soroptimist sister Ros had prepared so well for the flower arranging session and traditional English afternoon tea. The weather was perfect and we sat under an awning, with a fan . It was enjoyable and relaxing, with chat and laughter. Cool drinks and then a ‘proper’ tea. We then had a whip round and raised £70 for our Kori Project which is always gratefully received. All in all we agreed it was a very pleasant afternoon. Thank you Ros !

Good news! Tesco, Loudwater has now agreed to help Wycombe Women’s Aid (WWAid) with supplies for refuges. Sophie of WWA and Peggy Simson from Soroptimist International Thames Valley (SITV) met super helpful Nicky, a manager from Tesco. After Sophie and Peggy told her what WWAid offers to women seeking their support, Nicky explained how Tesco now administers its charitable donations. Nicky sat Sophie and Peggy down in the cafe while she went round the store picking up all the supplies on Peggy’s list. Although Peggy had only brought the list to illustrate what the needs are and what was normally bought, look at the photograph to see the result! There will be a return visit in September…

There was a very Orange stall at this year’s Bourne End Fun Night. As part of the Oranging of their town, members of SI Thames Valley took part in the local Fun Night on December 6th. Dressed in orange and offering oranges, ribbon and cloves they distributed orange bags of these articles to make festive Christmas pomanders .         Christmas spirits were raised but more importantly SI members raised awareness of violence against women. Donations received for the orange pomanders amounted to over £30 and have been given to the local Wycombe Women’s Aid charity which the club supports throughout the year with tokens, groceries and toiletries.

Members of the Thames Valley Soroptimist club visited the ECO Action Hub in Maidenhead, to find out about its environmental displays and activities. There are various sections covering topics such as gardening for wildlife, reducing your carbon footprint and how to avoid plastic packaging. It was a really interesting outing, there was a lot to learn and we hope to return when their cafe opens soon. Two of our members had prepared a list of Green Resources to entertain and educate SITV in the long winter nights in 2023/4.   This was provided to the ECO Action Hub – see link below. Green Resources to entertain and__ educate SITV in the long winter nights

  At our club meeting on 19 March, we were delighted to welcome our new member Smita Bora. Smita is pictured  below with her sponsors Dorothy and Gill, while our  Membership Officer Alison offers her the hand of fellowship.