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Soroptimists fly the flag for Women and Girls for #16DaysofActivism

Soroptimists fly the flag for Women and Girls for #16DaysofActivism

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Women volunteers in local soroptimist clubs around the world #orangetheworld as part of the global campaign and action to stop violence against women and girls. Locally they are ‘flying the flag’ in many ways on Monument Green, Weybridge and in Stoke d’Abernon to highlight the UN messaging for global action and progress under the UNiTE program. Soroptimists are advocating to reduce online and IT tech-led actions and increased use of private information which impacts women and girls well being and safety adversely and to encourage everyone to harness technology to enable safety, respect and dignity in every situation, every country and every online media. Progress is steady, nothing is impossible. “We are hopeful not hopeless” in the words of an Afghan women’s advocate speaking at the recent SIGBI conference about the challenges women and girls face every day in country. Amplify the messaging share on

River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

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  Following on from the success of our monthly #OrangeCafes, this year we upped the scale of our activities to mark the start of #16days of activism. Saturday November 25th was a cold but bright winter’s morning. A group of club members met up for a ‘Walk & Talk’ Café Crawl along the Thames towpath between Walton & Weybridge. Our aim was to raise awareness of #16Days and the UN Day for the elimination of violence against Women. We were joined by Soroptimist sisters from the region as well as family members & the Outreach team from #Northsurreydomesticabuse. We  met at the Cowey Sale café then we all walked & talked all the way to D’Oyly’s Café. The island setting offered a great photo opportunity on the bridge across the river. Even the tree in the background was orange! We were all wearing orange &

Elfing around..Elmbridge..

Elfing around..Elmbridge..

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Last week we approved fund allocation to fill 40 elf hats for gifting to @RunnymedeandWeybridgefoodbank and @Walton&HershamFoodbank. Packed by Santa’s elves and labelled ‘For Mum from Santa” soroptimists in @weybridge, @waltononthames and @molesey hope to spread some joy and goodwill to the hard pressed families in our district on Christmas day. Our Women against Violence (WAV) team are really busy hoisting flags, putting up posters and arranging the #orangetheworld cafe crawl on the Thames from Cowey Sale, Walton to amplify the  Surrey clubs work in the southern England region to end violence against women over #16daysofactivism each and every year. Show your solidarity with orange ribbons, posters and share our posts to widen the information sharing and impact action.   Save the date  – 25th November start of club activism to unite in solidarity with women and girls suffering violence.     

#16Days of Activism get ready..

#16Days of Activism get ready..

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The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls. It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day. In support of this campaign, the United Nations Secretary-General’s “UNiTE by 2030” initiative calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to help end all types of violence against women and girls. In 2023, the UNiTE campaign theme is Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls. Soroptimists and UNWomen’s focus is on Tech-facilitated gender based violence against women and girls. What is that? Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is any act that is committed or amplified using digital tools or technologies causing physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm to women and girls because

Santa’s Elves are preparing gifts for ‘Mum’ with Elmbridge based Soroptimists

Santa’s Elves are preparing gifts for ‘Mum’ with Elmbridge based Soroptimists

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Local soroptimists will once again help Santa’s elves supplying gift filled  ‘Elf Hats’ for Mothers for the local Foodbanks. The hats which cost £16 were really well received last year, ensuring mums had a present from “Santa” to open at Christmas. The plan is to fill the hats at our November 16th meeting and to have them hand sewn by our seamstress elf Jeannie, with labels added “For Mum love Santa” they can then be delivered by month end.  We invite you to join in this project and fill a hat for donation. SI Weybridge  will donate a £10 food gift voucher to each hat we fill to a maximum of £400, so don’t delay. Kindly email soroptimistsweybridge@gmail.com by 10 November to obtain the bank details and remit the cost of the contents £16 (inc. hat) to bank in good time. Please give ‘Elfhat’ (and your initials or

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

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Yesterday SIGBI Day of Action, Southern region met near Winchester. Member Helen Porter spoke about her positive experience as a Soroptimist delegate attending UN CSW 67 in New York and highlighted next years theme as being so aligned with SI charitable goals, that of ‘poverty’. This was followed by a passionate and truly humbling presentation by the former Women’s Minister in Afghanistan. A Soroptimist, Hasina outlined the realities in Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control. The lack of humanity shown and shortages in food, utilities, medicines and water is impacting all but especially women and widows who have no menfolk. Students and girls who have no access to education and those who live in fear following their involvement with peace and international liaison are living in constant distress. Women are dying early due to lack of access to healthcare and medicines. Hasina’s international evacuee links

Foodbanks value Soroptimist gift of Factor 50 Sun Cream

Foodbanks value Soroptimist gift of Factor 50 Sun Cream

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Following club member donations and cash generated at the Oatlands Fair competition, 100 Bottles of Factor 50 Sunscreen were purchased by soroptimist Brenda; shoppers in Morrisons saw her accosted by staff as she cleared the shelves!  After a moments explanation she continued her purchase….Morrisons are such good supporters of the foodbanks and charities generally. On 14th June Brenda and Jeannie delivered 50 to Walton & Hersham foodbank; it was very gratefully received arriving just ahead of the hot summer weather. Ann D and Brenda gathered the other 50 bottles  for delivery to Runnymede (Weybridge)  foodbank. Colin and his team were very appreciative of the donation, especially as now sunscreen is an expensive item. The bottles were weighed for distribution. We were informed many would go to the distribution centre at Ambleside Avenue as this is a very busy collection point. Today SIGBI received an email…

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

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Below a link to a recent important Soroptimist Report on the Domestic Violence Court functioning in England. Local Soroptimists from the club in Elmbridge were involved with this project observing at court cases at Guildford, completing and submitting results which have in part enabled this analysis of functioning and “fit for purpose”. The results and recommendations need to be circulated widely so influencers are aware of the shortcoming in terms of victim support. Members have sent the report to Ben Spencer, Jonathon Lord and Dominic Raab, MPs locally and already action has been taken to highlight the findings to the Ministry of Justice. It has also been circulated to Magistrates, Judges, DA Services, Charities,  and the Police Commissioners amongst others with very positive comment and outcomes already. SI Weybridge & District are delighted to share the report link with you; do share this to anyone

Community SI/Ukrainian Teamwork adds value all round.

Community SI/Ukrainian Teamwork adds value all round.

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Caryle’s sterling work with Elmbridge CAN provided SI Weybridge with the invitation to host the Cream Tea at the Weybridge Society’s Community Fair. Judy Sarsby, Councillor, worked with Weybridge Society to ensure the week long Weybridge Festival was even more successful than last year. She told us that an estimated 8000 visitors attended events. It was without doubt an incredible effort and major boost for the community. Carlye, Brenda and I worked closely with the lead from ECAN especially volunteer Georgina. We spent 12 hours in planning meetings together and many more on the ‘phone refining the task checklist. The community Centre was given for free for the pop up but we had limited access… so the list of “we might need” was very long indeed! Our tasks? Jeannie updated the pop-up banners, Brooklands College supplied 140 delicious scones, Anne G another amazing 48 (plus gorgeous

Soroptimists ‘cream it’ for charity at Weybridge Community Fair on June 24th

Soroptimists ‘cream it’ for charity at Weybridge Community Fair on June 24th

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After several weeks of Soroptimist liaison with Elmbridge CAN at the fantastic Weybridge Community Centre, we have a team ready to bake and host a superb Cream Tea and Prosecco pop-up venue with our Ukrainian partners. The festival is in full swing and the Pop-Up Cream Tea venue is open from 12pm to 6pm on June 24th. Open to all… come by when you’re shopping in town. Arrive early to enjoy the best choice of home baked gateaux, scones, cakes and children’s treats, a chilled glass of prosecco even! Come later to rest your feet or buy any residual cakes. Every £ you spend will aid the sterling work of Elmbridge CAN a community, volunteer-powered, non-party political charity,  based in Elmbridge. They aim to build a culture of welcome to refugees within the local community, and work to achieve the settlement of more refugees in the Borough