Our Planet group organised and led our September meeting and we welcomed a guest speaker, Claire Oliver from the Tyne Rivers Trust. Claire gave us an excellent overview of the work done by the Trust. It was fascinating to hear about the projects which enhance natural flood management, such as restoring wiggly rivers (much better at limiting erosion than straight rivers), and creating areas round rivers which absorb water and thus reduce the risk of flooding. We also learnt about the risks of invasive species, the role of volunteers in citizen science projects testing water quality and practical things we can all do at home to help our gardens to increase the amount of rainfall absorbed by the land. Thank you Claire for really informing and educating us. September 21st is the UN International Day of Peace and we always mark this in our September

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when the members of SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District hold their summer social, there will be fun, amazing food and exceptional dressing up. This year was no exception as we marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. There were multiple Miss Bennets, Woodhouses and Dashwoods in attendance, and three Mr Darcys. Well done on all the costumes and for all the contributions of food and raffle prizes, and thanks to Vivianne for hosting for the third time. We also raised £431 for out club charity, Riverside Primary Wellbeing Project.

We’ll be at the Fiesta in Whitley Bay on Sunday 6th July. You can find our stall in Park View Shopping Centre.  All the money we raise at the Fiesta will be for Harbour, our local charity working with those affected by domestic abuse. This is an issue that affects many people and if you need help or information, click on Read More below for invaluable contact details.  

It was shoe heaven at our open evening when Angela from Smartworks Newcastle came to pick up the preloved black work shoes they asked us to collect. These will go into their showroom where women who are unemployed can choose an interview outfit.                                                                                        

In 2016, at the height of Operation Sanctuary, an investigation into child sexual exploitation and modern slavery, our club contacted Northumbria Police to find out how we could offer support. Victims of abuse and trafficking often had only the clothes they were wearing so our club began putting together new start bags and care bags which give some clothing and other items to women and girls when they were very vulnerable. Since 2016, we have provided 132 new start bags and 127 care bags. At the Northumbria Police Awards Evening on 24th March 2025, we were honoured to receive a Chief Constable’s Commendation recognising the contribution the new start bags and care bags have made to women and girls and some of our members were delighted to attend on behalf of the club to receive the award. Thank you to everyone, members, friends and the

As Mother’s Day approaches, we are delighted to be able to send gifts again for women supported by Harbour. We hope that the gifts remind them that we care. Women supporting women is a powerful thing. Thank you to all members who donate, shop and deliver.              

Our club marked International Women’s Day on 8th March by handing out roses to women in Whitley Bay, Tynemouth and North Shields. Our roses are an opportunity to recognise the many and varied roles women have across all aspects of our communities and to say thank you. They are also a reminder that there is still much work to do to ensure that rights, equality and empowerment are real for all women and girls. Our club will  join Soroptimists across the world to campaign all year round for these aims.  

At our club meeting on Monday 10th February, our guest speaker was Anna Heslop, Volunteer at Cullercoats RNLI and Regional Lifesaving Lead. She was joined by her mother Kay Heslop who also volunteers as Operational Lead at Cullercoats RNLI. Anna spoke of her first encounter with the RNLI after she witnessed a teenage boy being swept out to sea. This sparked an interest in her which led to her volunteering at Cullercoats. As the only woman there, she encountered many obstacles along the way but persevered and eventually became their first Helmswoman. She has become a role model and the Cullercoats station now has 25% female volunteers. She also works for RNLI as Regional Lifesaving Lead for the coastline between Berwick and Burnham on Crouch in Essex. Anna and Kay were presented with a donation of £200.

The 16 days of activism may be over but our club continues to campaign to end violence against women and girls. Members hosted our first Orange Cafe of 2025 on Saturday January 25th, meeting this time at Big Local in Whitley Bay. Thank you to all members who arranged and supported the event. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness about this important issue and we certainly turned this corner of North Tyneside orange.                                                            

In the last few days, we’ve raised the amazing sum of £735.80 for Harbour, our local refuge.  Some of the money raised will be used to buy gifts for the women and their children who will be spending Christmas at Harbour. At our Christmas meeting, held this year on 9th December, it’s a tradition that we also make up gift bags of toiletries and pampering products which Harbour staff take out to women they work with in the community. This year we made up 36 bags to go out to women with our love and support. Thank you to members, family and friends who donated items.