This week thanks to eager knitters from SI Wakefield and district, 18 knitted blankets were donated at Pinderfields hospital for use on wards across Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury wards via MY hospitals charity. Members knitted hundreds of squares which were then stitched together to form the blankets. Thank you to all members who lent their creativity and passion to this project.
Members of Soroptimist International Wakefield and District along with our very own Yorkshire President Susie gathered to share a Christmas meal with our partners – Soropti-misters and friends to round off the year. The White Horse-Sharlston did us proud with a delicious festive feast and our annual Christmas quiz also proved a hit. Wishing everyone a peaceful and Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2024.
As part of the international UN campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Wakefield and District Soroptimists have been highlighting the campaign by painting the town orange in Ossett. Our Soroptimist sisters created a Christmas tree in orange as part of a local Christmas tree festival and also held a market stall in the precinct highlighting the campaign and the wider work of Soroptimists in improving the lives of women and girls all year round.
Members visited the Wilberforce exhibition on anti-slavery at Wakefield One customer service point on the 14th November. Members were disappointed by the location of the exhibition which was squirrelled away at the back of the customer service point and poorly signposted, but found the content extremely eye opening and inspiring in advance of the forthcoming 16 days of action campaign. #OrangeTheWorld #25Nov #IDEVAW Modern Slavery can affect children and adults irrespective of age, ethnicity, gender, religion or background. Uncovering Modern Slavery is an exhibition created in partnership with the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership and the Wilberforce Institute, University of Hull. Modern Slavery in the UK can take many forms including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, criminal exploitation, domestic servitude and organ harvesting. This exhibition highlights how criminal exploitation is a growing form of Modern Slavery in the UK.
Wakefield and District Soroptimists joined by friends including members from SI Garforth Elmet enjoyed a Brilliant Breakfast in aid of Princes Trust work with girls and young women at Queen’s Mill Tea Rooms on Saturday 14th October. The Brilliant Breakfast is an annual, nationwide event raising funds for The Prince’s Trust. Whether it’s a simple tea and toast at home with family and friends, or a workplace breakfast with a difference, A Brilliant Breakfast fundraising event proceeds goes to help disadvantaged young women get into work, education or training and turn their lives around. To find out more about the work of this fantastic charity visit https://www.thebrilliantbreakfast.co.uk/
Following a recent presentation to our Club by Elizabeth Smith of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission she invited us to join them at an Open Day at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery. This cemetery, begun in 1914, is the resting place for over 1,000 servicemen who died during the First and Second World Wars. The cemeteries are financed by six countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Africa, New Zealand and India, who share the cost and maintenance of the Commission’s work proportionately to the number of their graves. There are over 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories around the world. Each headstone is inscribed with the details of the individual, including name, rank, awards, service number, religious emblem. There is no discrimination between ranks, race or religion, everyone is treated equally. We spent several hours at the cemetery where volunteer tour guides recounted the stories of
On the 15th July members of SI Wakefield and District joined with members of SI Dewsbury on a walk to a local nature reserve to pick litter and help our environment to mark the Soroptimist International day of action. Although the weather could have been better spirits were high!
Members and guests welcomed retired barrister Elaine Averis to their speaker meeting on Thursday 22nd June. Elaine talked about her career and showed her robes and accessories including wig. Elaine shared a fascinating and sometimes challenging insight into her experience of visiting women in prison including Rose West and her work as a barrister specialising in supporting justice for parents and guardians, children who have been sexually abused and supporting those with learning difficulties through the legal process.
Wakefield Soroptimists celebrated the coronation of King Charles with the Yorkshire President and friends from other regional clubs on the evening of Thursday 11th May. A buffet supper was put on by members and numerous glasses of fizz were raised to toast our new monarch.
Wakefield and District Soroptimists celebrated the anniversary of the club’s foundation with a sisterly meal at local restaurant Holmfield House on the 23rd February. A most enjoyable evening was had by all and we were delighted to be joined by Yorkshire President Jane Glendinning. Wakefield and District is looking forward to celebrating its 90th anniversary of founding in 2024 with a big do!
