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)

  FOLLOW THESE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS Wait for the sales. Write a huge shopping list Visit the shops – 50+ times is a reasonable amount! Neatly make piles of clothes in a members spare room …………and repeat ……………….and repeat AND WE’RE NOT FAR OFF 100 ALTOGETHER!

We have a strong group of 14 young women committed to improving the lives and opportunities of young women in our region.  Let’s remind ourselves of what the GLOBAL BLANKET is all about!  The Global Blanket Campaign invites consumers from around the world to join the movement for greater transparency in the fashion industry. In 2015, 14 clubs in the Northern England region targeted for each member to add a square to the petition. The original regional Global Blanket visited 10 Downing Street and had support from our local MP’s.  Inspired by this our amazing group of girls at Whitley Bay High School have started their own Global Blanket.  Last year 23 squares were added to the blanket and we have another 14 currently being added.  Each square represents a signature for the worldwide petition to STOP THE TRAFFIK of women and children with the tag line #IWantTraffikFreeFashion- you