September’s meeting was led by our members who make up the Planet group and they gave us a lively account of the work they have been doing over the last few months in relation to environmental issues. The group’s current project is the creation of bee friendly gardens in the grounds of St Paul’s church in Whitley Bay. As well as planting the gardens, the group is setting up bird boxes and bug houses to attract a wide range of wildlife. They also have a maintenance rota in place to make sure the garden always looks marvellous. The project has been nominated for a regional best practice award and the winners will be announced at our next regional meeting on 23rd September. Action on climate change is central to the work of Soroptimist International and local projects like those led by Planet group make a

We were delighted to welcome the Workie Ticket Theatre Company to our July meeting to tell us more about their work.  Their new project, Walk the Line, launches soon and will include a performance of a short play about a single mother who sings to block out her abusive ex. Find out more here.

Every August, we hold out annual fund raising garden party. This year, we took the opportunity to celebrate the life of the Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock and Roll. A survivor of abuse, she rebuilt her solo career, performing in low profile venues, until the release of the Private Dancer album in 1983. Always an inspiration, she once said if you just stand up and go, life will open up for you. She also said that there’s no rule which says you cannot wear a mini dress in your late 40s and some of us took that advice to heart, despite the torrential rain which turned the garden party into an indoor event. A great evening of fun and friendship.

A group of members recently secured £5,800 from bids to charities and other community groups to help families, women and girls in difficult circumstances and struggling to maintain personal hygiene by providing Personal Hygiene Packs. Toiletries have been purchased, bags packed and the first batch of Personal Hygiene Packs have been distributed in the local area with the help of some of our partners. Feedback from organisations distributing the packs on our behalf confirms that they help those who receive them to feel more confident to deal with the issues they are facing, restore their dignity and improve their overall quality of life and wellbeing. The power of women helping women in action.

Six members of our club took part in another socially distanced litter pick on 10th April, this time at the Rising Sun Countryside Centre.  They collected 12 bags of rubbish; that’s another step towards meeting one of our 100+ challenges. Well done everyone. If you’re interested in joining our club so you can get involved with activities like this, please get in touch either by contacting us on 07947520109 or emailing us at sitynemouth@gmail.com  

One of our on-going projects is the creation of New Start Bags.  Northumbria Police gives these emergency bags to women rescued from Modern Day slavery, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and to victims of domestic abuse. They contain essential new clothing, toiletries and day to day items. On the suggestion of Northumbria Police, we have now created additional care packs and hygiene packs containing underwear, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste and masks. These are given to victims of rape and sexual assault after they have undergone necessary medical examination. Thanks must go to all our members for their work in raising funds to allow us to support women in this way.  

As part of our celebrations for the centenary of Soroptimist International our members have set themselves some challenges. Can we collect, donate or make a minimum of 100 items over the course of 2021 to support charities and our local community?   Here's the list of our monthly projects. Targets for January and February have already been exceeded and we raised £300 in the Easter raffle. Collecting/making/doing is well under way for the rest of the projects so do visit our website again for an update on how we are doing. January: 100 stamps to raise funds for breast cancer research February: 100 green plastic bottle tops for recycling for plug wires March: £100 raised from an Easter Raffle for Easter Eggs a local primary school April: 100 sunflower seeds for planting at home (Who will have grown the tallest sunflower come August?) and 100

SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District is proud to support Harbour in North Tyneside, a charity which works with local families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member. Recently, we delivered Mother's Day gifts for 17 mums supported by Harbour; they all received a mug, hand cream and a nail file, all beautifully wrapped by member Sue. Find out more about the work of Harbour at https://www.myharbour.org.uk/