In 2018 Soroptimist International Sunderland is 80 years old!  Sunderland is one of the oldest clubs in the Northern Region of England.  It was formed in 1938, only one year after the first Northern club (Newcastle upon Tyne in 1937).  At that time, one year before the outbreak of the Second World War, Sunderland was famous for being the largest shipbuilding town in the world. Our first President was Emmeline Wright who served for two years, from 1938 to 1940. Over 80 members from the Northern region joined in the celebrations in their 80th Charter Year with a celebratory lunch at the Grand Hotel, Seaburn, on 23 March 2019.  The guest speaker was best-selling author, Nancy Revell whose work includes the Shipyard Girls series: these books tell the stories of the amazing women who lived and worked in Sunderland’s

A quick 15 minutes and the plan is set for some super fund-raising for NIGHTSTOP and the creation of BUMP BOXES for homeless women and girls who are pregnant.                                                                                                

HAPPIER TOGETHER March 20 is the International Day of Happiness and this year’s theme is Happier Together, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. Everyone wants to be happy – and life is happier when we’re together. So let’s celebrate our common humanity. Join the community and be part of this special day.

                                                                                     After much discussion our latest group have decided that their Programme Action is two-fold. firstly to help the homeless by raising money for Nightstop and to put together ‘Starter Boxes’ , for pregnant teenagers. Nightstop prevents homelessness through community hosting – providing a safety net to those forced to leave their home. Nightstop places young people in a safe and warm home for the night, provided by a vetted and approved volunteer. This prevents young people from sleeping rough, “sofa surfing”, or staying in unsuitable accommodation where they would be at risk of abuse. The use of spare rooms in a positive environment makes

We're not into pinks and pretty purples but can put aside our dislikes when it comes to decorating ginger heart-shaped cookies - JUST FOR FUN! These girls from Whitley Bay High School turn up every week to continue their journey as possible Soroptimists and deserve some fun at a 'CLARTY PARTY' = ,messy time!

          What is Fairtrade Fortnight? 25 February – 10 March 2019 For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. This year we are focusing on the people – in particular the women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much. She Deserves £1.86 £1.86 is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income. Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty. For the women the situation is even worse. They may plant and harvest

New Start Bags As part of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, President Judy and Programme Action Officer Anne were invited to the Police Station in Middle Engine Lane by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird and Acting Superintendent Claire Wheatley. A photo was taken for a press release to celebrate the joint working of Northumbria Police and local Soroptimist Clubs in the New Start Bags Project. Soroptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District have have completed 94 New Start Bags since Autumn 2016 through generous donations from members and private donors and grants from The Greggs Foundation and Newcastle Building Society.

We’re thrilled to CELEBRATE  that  the founder of our local Independent Cinema ‘THE JAM JAR’,  Dan Ellis is one of two winners of the first ever BAFTA ‘For The Love Of Film’ competition. We’re all so proud of him here in our club as he has been so supportive of our cause for many years!! He’s gone above and beyond to bring cinema back to Whitley Bay and North Tyneside and he is so deserving of this award. Putting his heart and soul into our community he was chosen after a national search and a judging panel of BAFTA members and celebrities. As well as national recognition; part of the prize is that he’ll be walking the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards.    WHY NOT VISIT THEIR WEBSITE – https://www.jamjarcinema.com/

An easy way to raise a bit of cash, with very little outlay – why not have a healthy frugal lunch – a selection of vegetable based soups and home made bread – what’s not to like?!!!  As they say, it’s a ‘no brainer’!  We raised £70, including £5 from Anne’s Mum – thanks Nancy + we have a few promises from members who couldn’t attend. We might just get to £100.  Monies raised will help kick start the WBHS Sorops fundraising for Nightstop and to provide a healthy snack for the girls at the end of the school day.                            Nightstop UK Nightstop provides a bed for the night for young people who need it, in a moment of crisis. Providing a safety net to those forced to leave their home, Nightstop

Just trying to raise a wee bit of money to support WBHS Sorops with the running of their club & to kick-start their fundraising for their chosen PROGRAMME ACTION – watch this space!!   Spicy Thai Coconut soup Minestrone soup Lentil & Vegetable soup   served with a selection of home made breads (French batons, seeded wholemeal & walnut and cranberry)