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 seeing Rose West  when visiting another client in Durham Prison. Her work as a barrister has ranged from specialising in supporting justice for parents and guardians, for 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!

We celebrated two of our valued members turning 80 recently. At our meeting on 10th November, not one but two of our Soroptimist sisters turned 80.  Pictured cutting their cake, expertly baked by fellow SI Wakefield member Cynthia are Marjorie and Mollie. Many happy returns ladies!

SI Wakefield had a tremendous talk at ther speaker meeting on the 27th October from Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels. This is a project which, with the help of a team of volunteers, has made a massive difference in over one hundred towns and cities across the UK and overseas. Founded in November 2005 the scheme has seen violent crime and sexual assaults reduce dramatically in many of the communities where the projects work.  The Angels now also go inside pubs and clubs, at music festivals, in communities and at train stations. Because of Paul’s contribution to community safety he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen. His talk was full of humour and inspiration. Street Angels are always looking for volunteers and when asked how anyone could help who did not want to ‘walk

Several members of our Club enjoyed a walk around Westgate led by Kevin Trickett from Wakefield Civic Society. In 2020 Wakefield Council and Historic England formed a 4-year partnership to improve the condition of some of the buildings in the Upper Westgate Conservation Area, aiming to change people’s perception of the area, which includes many locally and nationally listed buildings.  Kevin entertained us with his knowledge of the history of Wakefield and encouraged us all to open our eyes and look up as we are walking in the streets of Wakefield.