Wallasey Soroptimists – Our Projects (Programme Action)
The 8 areas for Soroptimists to focus their project work are: Education; Elimination of violence; Economic empowerment; Food security; Healthcare; Environmental sustainability / water and sanitation; Conflict resolution / peace promotion; Disaster mitigation and relief.
SI Wallasey Club members have key projects that link with some of the above project areas.
Recent projects include:
Local: Tomorrow’s Women Wirral
This local social enterprise in Birkenhead was started by a member of SI Heswall and continues to be supported by her and other Soroptimists. This much valued facility initially started as an alternative to imprisoning women and a way of preventing re-offending. Its now expanded to offer support for any local woman who needs it. One of our members volunteers her services, whilst the Club has donated much needed supplies, e.g. coffee, sugar, tea, breakfast cereal, to help with the breakfast club as well as cash donations. Members have also attended key events at the Centre.
Supporting the developing Soroptimists in Flintshire group
To mark International Women’s Day, members supported the Soroptimist in Flintshire group who had a display at the Deeside Leisure Centre on 10th March 2018. Awareness was raised of Soroptimists’ work and 79 signatures were collected for the Purple Teardrop Campaign to lobby Government to ban ‘sex for sale’ advertising.
National: Anti slavery & trafficking – Elimination of Violence
Members joined in the Federation’s survey about modern day slavery and took the opportunity to have a stall in the local shopping centre to raise awareness of the issue as well as promoting Wallasey Soroptimists.
Below members with survey at the ready.
International:
Marking 8th September International Literacy Day – Education
Bookmarks were produced and donated to local libraries to not only mark the day, but raise awareness of our organisation
Local: Clatterbridge Cancer Charity – Healthcare
We donate some of our takings each time we have a stall selling our craft items. September 2018 we donated an additional £500 to the Charity. This money can help the Charity support women who have lost their hair through cancer treatment with funds to purchase good quality wigs – it all helps with a woman’s psychological health.
The Charity’s Fundraising Manager Elspeth was our speaker at our September 2017 social meeting. She presented Immediate Past President Stella with a certificate giving our running total of donations at £650. A cheque for £100 was presented at the meeting adding to that total. As of September 2018, we have donated well over £1500 to the charity. It costs £60 for a wig – so we’ve supported over 16 women’s self esteem and confidence.
Local: Wirral Food Bank – Food security & Healthcare
Beginning in November 2011 this local Wirral charity gives 3 days supply of food to local people / families who have been referred in urgent need situations. Club members have support by donating not only food products, but vital feminine hygiene items. All donations are weighed and weights logged by volunteers at the Foodbank’s warehouse to enable audit of volume of products donated and distributed. September 2018 £500 cheque donated.
Member Sue delivery the much needed supplies
International: The Mary’s Meals Backpack project – Education
Members busy putting together the backpacks
As of September 29018, we have donated almost 200 backpacks and £750 so far to Mary’s Meals. To encourage children to attend school in developing countries, this Scottish-based charity ensure each child had a daily meal with locally produced products, prepared by local women, and gives each child a backpack containing items of clothing, shoes, toiletries and writing materials. Members had gathered all the necessary items and enjoyed an evening packing the bags ready for sending off.
International: WaterAid – Water & Sanitation
Donation of funds annually – £500 sent in September 2018
Interntional: Meru Women’s Garden project – Economic Empowerment & Food Security
www.memruwomen.org – our Federation’s long term project helping Educate, Empower & Enable women in Meru Kenya. We donated £250 in February 2018