We’re very much a team. We have a small executive of club officers to do the essential administration but decisions about projects and activities are agreed by the whole club. Everyone’s contribution is welcomed and valued. The work we do and the action we take is known as Programme Action. Different people have different interests, so members can choose to be in one of our Programme Action groups. These groups reflect the objectives and values of the wider Soroptimist movement and are a practical way of getting things done.
Women are disproportionately affected by poverty and this exposes them and their families to a range of risks. The Poverty Group focuses on our work to support women in most need and is leading work on our club charity, baby banks in the local community.
Good health underpins quality of life but outcomes for women are shaped by both biological and gender based factors which expose them to particular risks. The Health and Wellbeing Group leads in this area, and also focuses on links with the wider community, including Whitley Bay Fiesta and environmental projects.
Educating girls and women empowers them and their communities. This is at the heart of the Educate and Empower Group’s work and their projects include supporting Smart Works North East and two charities which provide essential services for women and girls in Eswatini and Sierra Leone. They also lead our work in campaigning to end violence against women and girls.
Our monthly meetings are led by one of the three Programme Action groups, or by the executive team. Half of the meeting focuses on an issue or topic relevant to the work of the groups and the club. We might have a speaker or our own members might share their work. Club business takes up the rest of the meetings, including updates on what’s happening across the club and beyond, planning events and activities and sharing news. You can download our club calendar here.
Our meeting in May is a very special one; it’s our open evening. This is our opportunity to invite family, friends and organisations we work with to find out more about what we’ve been doing. It’s always an evening filled with friendship and a real sense of community spirit.
Welcoming representatives from the baby bank 
Kerry Barnett, advanced nurse practitioner (left) and Borsha Sarker, consultant sonographer (right), from Sunderland Women's Hub. Borsha and Kerry explained how they have transformed gynaecological services using advanced ultrasound. 
Emilie de Brujin, Senior Community Lead with the Baby Bank Alliance. Emilie gave us an insight the invaluable work done by volunteers and the challenges faced in trying to support families in need. 
Sharing our work at an open evening
Our club has an active social programme. We might get together for meal in a local restaurant, or a coffee by the sea or a summer picnic. There’s a regular book club too.
Then there’s the Soroptimist summer social, our answer to the Met Gala. This special event raises funds for our projects and is an opportunity to really have some fun. There’s a tradition of dressing up (completely optional) and in recent years, we’ve marked the International Year of Reading and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, celebrated the remarkable women of the Home Front in WW 2 and revived our inner rock chicks.
Celebrating the International Year of Reading 
Jane Austen remembered 
One of the Andrews sisters meets Rosie the Rivetter 
Celebrating the Land Girls 
Long live rock and roll! 
Learning how to crochet orange flowers for our campaigning to end gender based violence. 
Christmas wreaths made by members at a workshop to raise funds for…. 
Some of our members enjoying a pre-Christmas meal together 
Summer picnic 
