Skip links

Soroptimists at School Assembly about British Science Week

Soroptimists at School Assembly about British Science Week

in Tags

The Weybridge and District STEM Team members are so appreciative of the positive welcome given at Cobham Free School in Surrey this week where there was a chance to help launch the British Science Week National Poster Competition during an assembly. It gave local soroptimists a chance to also advertise the #BSW insights and breadth and scope especially activities open to students and communities  for ‘at home’ science learning during March and over the year to come. Some 300 Year 7,8 and 9 pupils listened patiently to details of this year’s #BSW theme ‘TIME’.  A  soroptimist, herself a life scientist,  gave a 10 minute overview of the opportunities prevailing during #BSW for students and families to learn have fun and take part. She followed an inspiring short presentation by a female 6th former who plans a career in motorsport engineering . Our presentation highlighted not

Calling all Parents…and Students – In a muddle about Science or Careers..?

Calling all Parents…and Students – In a muddle about Science or Careers..?

in Tags

It’s National Careers & British Science Week! Next week is a key week in education with National Careers Week running from March 4th – 9th and British Science Week beginning on March 8th. There are projects to do at home, with friends  over the Easter break, competitions and exciting resources and helpful videos and guides available. We’d heartily recommend sharing these links with family and friends who have children at school or just graduating this summer. On March 4th we are exhibiting at a School Careers fair for 11-18 year olds. It’s made us reflect on our own experiences as parents, teachers, employers and mentors as we create materials to share.  In our STEM working party we have found a free education site of particular value in terms of aiding decision-making about both academic subject options and career planning for students evaluating career paths via

Weybridge Soroptimists Launch ‘STEMSTARS Project’ in schools as British Science Week (#BSW) approaches

Weybridge Soroptimists Launch ‘STEMSTARS Project’ in schools as British Science Week (#BSW) approaches

in Tags
As we approach British Science Week in March, Weybridge and District soroptimists are very excited! Our partnerships with two local Elmbridge secondary schools will launch. Following combined efforts from the club's  STEM Working Party and the scientific and academic leads in both schools, ideas simply flowed. We have made steady  progress and STEM soroptimists are involved in two big events at the schools in the next week. February 29th - A school assembly for Years 7-9 where together with the Head of Science and a 6th Form science student, we will launch the #BSW National Poster Competition to local students. The theme is on how TIME has impacted science and could impact in future.  Boys and girls will be invited to design a poster on this topic for the March deadline. Soroptimist charity  funds will provide prizes for up to 5 posters selected by year group
River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

River Thames at Cowey Sale is ORANGE!

in Tags

  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 &

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

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

in Tags

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

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

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

in Tags

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

Yummy Soroptimist Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival -Saturday June 24th – Save the Date!

Yummy Soroptimist Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival -Saturday June 24th – Save the Date!

in Tags

Soroptimists are getting ready to host the Cream Tea at the Weybridge Festival on Saturday June 24th     On June 24th Weybridge and District Soroptimist Club will be hosting the @WeybridgeFestival Cream Tea with local Ukrainian women and girls. Help us all raise much needed funds for @ElmbridgeCAN (https://www.elmbridgecan.org.uk/) the sponsor and fantastic local charity which support refugees in so many ways. Rest your feet for a while with friends over a pleasant cream tea and a glass of prosecco even! Find the Festival Tea Cafe at the Weybridge Community Centre accessed off Churchfield Road (https://www.allaboutweybridge.co.uk/shops-services/weybridge-centre-for-the-community), look out for the posters and sign posts. Open from 2pm-4pm https://www.facebook.com/groups/760726435635528 https://www.facebook.com/SoroptimistsElmbridge https://sigbi.org/weybridge/

#Soroptimists shone bright at Oatlands Village Fayre, Weybridge

#Soroptimists shone bright at Oatlands Village Fayre, Weybridge

in Tags

The sun may have been hiding much of the day but #Soroptimists from SI Weybridge and District shone bright at Oatlands Village Fayre on Saturday 13th May. Following the advert in the fayre booklet (very kindly inserted by Andrew) attendance at the booth was brisk. Handmade Maripula bags and cushion covers (from our SI sisters in South Africa), tomato/sunflower plants, home grown organic rhubarb, a book sale, a children’s competition and wonderful company attracted fayre goers to come along and chat. Brenda (and Paul..) created a fabulous showcase of our last years work in the club and worked hard to highlight and man the booth with Jeannie and Alexis. Mary and the team helped galvanise visitors and ensured the day went with panache; a good profit was made on the day for the club charity account and Alexis is summing up the sale profits to

Welcome our high profile and influential speaker on Thursday evening – Prof. Susan Edwards

Welcome our high profile and influential speaker on Thursday evening – Prof. Susan Edwards

in Tags

So delighted to confirm our speaker for Thursday. Huge thanks to Carlye for identifying such a high profile and influential woman who focuses widely on women and education in multicultural legal aspects; Susan will enlighten us on the dynamics of abusive relationships and focus on the case of women who kill their abusive partners.  Susan recently published insight into the matters surrounding the courts decision making on the return of Shamima Begum to Britain. (https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/shamima-begum-the-court-of-public-opinion). Prepare to take this opportunity to welcome Susan in person and discuss salient points which might impact our work with refugees and young women/DA services. Speaker: Prof Susan Edwards, Professor of Law Emerita, University of Buckingham BA (CNAA), MA, PhD (Manc), LLM (Reading); Barrister England and Wales, Practising Certificate; Member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI), formerly Editor Denning Law Journal 2005-2015 A barrister and a well-known writer and broadcaster on feminist

Soroptimists showcase their friendship and work in Weybridge in new Member Month

Soroptimists showcase their friendship and work in Weybridge in new Member Month

in Tags

May is Membership Month in Soroptimist Clubs in the SI GB&N.Ireland region We have been delighted to welcome 4 new club members in Elmbridge region this last year, Mary, Caroline, Jean and Hasina. At our AGM Mary welcomed most recent new Soroptimists Jean and Hasina who elected to join after joining in with some of our events and learning about the projects we do as a local club. We will be hosting regular monthly ‘Orange Cafes’ to meet women who’d like to hear more and join us as we attract more members. Get in touch at any time via the QR Code and Contact Us tab, we meet every month in Cobham. Meet on Saturday 13th May Soroptimists have a stand this Saturday at Oatlands Village Fayre, come along and meet us, buy organic rhubarb, sunflower plants, beautiful handmade Maripula tapestry items from South Africa,