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. These all link into the Sustainable Development Goals.
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 is an active volunteer, 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. Visitors to the centre often ask about making a donation, so we’ve given an attractive box that is now fixed to the wall. Members have supported TWW by attending key events at the Centre. We contributed £500 towards garden furniture enabling service uses to enjoy the outside space at the location.
Members purchased a donation box as visitors to the Centre frequently asked about making donations – it’s proving very successful.
On Wednesday 8th May 2019 members ran an awareness-raising stall marking World Ovarian Cancer Day – the 6th most common cancer in women in the UK. As there are no screening programmes, knowing the symptoms of the disease is vital so that early action can be taken. Provided by Ovarian Cancer Action, leaflets and cards describing the main symptoms, and a booklet explaining what happens after seeing the doctor were distributed.
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.
Soroptmist International President’s Appeal 2017-2019
This appeal is called Water, Women & Leadership with international projects aiming to transform women’s lives in, for instance, Kenya, Bulgaria and Malaysia, by giving them access to safe water and skills in leadership. Members donated £85 in January 2019 lieu of Christmas cards.
Local: Clatterbridge Cancer Charity – Healthcare
We donate some of our takings each time we have a stall selling our craft items plus we donate additional fund to the Charity during the year. 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 March 2019, we have donated over £1663 to the charity. It costs £60 for a wig – so we’ve supported over 26 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. £500 was donated at the end of 2018
Member Sue delivery the much needed supplies
International: The Mary’s Meals Backpack project – Education
Members busy putting together the backpacks
As of September 2019, we have donated almost 250 backpacks and £1250 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
Members donated £500 in late 2018 towards the Water Effect Appeal that provides a safe environment for women to give birth,
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