100 packs of Sunflower seeds were given out to celebrate the Centenary year of Soroptimist International

This year has proved challenging for our Christmas appeal for toiletries for women in crisis. In the past we have collected handbags full of goodies which are then checked by the group, then sent out. Most of the bags were collected from groups, the local WIs, Community groups and a variety of fitness classes. This year we did not know if groups would be meeting or if we could get together to sort the bags, and how they would be collected. We requested gift bags along with a list of contents chosen from a list of essential items we had requested, which made it easier to check. Drop off points were identified at peoples homes and pick- up sessions at central car parks. We did not know if we would get as many donations, but as usual people’s generosity is amazing and we are well

    We’ve been hanging out washing lines and tying T-shirts to trees to draw attention to the massive impact fast fashion is having on the planet. Fast Fashion is second only to oil as the worlds biggest polluter. We were to hold a conference this September, funded by a grant from the National Lottery #CelebrateNationalLottery25, but due to Covid we have had to find a different, and as it happens, a more fun way to highlight this issue. We are pleased to say it has had a lot of attention.The Festival of Imagination has been a great help,  hosting one of the intended speakers  at the conference Charlotte Watkivs  Living a Zero Waste Life Soroptimist International – The Wrekin Branch      

Covid got us zooming into action in more ways than one. Our key workers in the club have kept working looking after the health and education of Shropshire. Dr Jess took to social media to tell us all to Stay at Home along with a lot of sound advice both on radio and tv. Those of us at home have made hearts for dementia patients, so they feel loved and not forgotten, and the seamstresses among us have made masks and scrub bags for key workers. We have shopped for shielding people and telephoned the loneley. Shropshire radio came to our aid so we could get out the message of free travel for women suffering, or at risk ,from domestic violence  and we were also able to get the message out there to phone a friend you may have lost touch with, to check they