Soroptimists are local women volunteers who have a passion for enabling women and girls’ education, health, equity and success around the world and in the local community through service orientated projects. In Weybridge region some 24 women are involved, we span, Cobham, Molesey, Walton on Thames, Weybridge and Byfleet but have members who have left the area and still continue to enjoy the club. We are expanding and inviting women of all ages who have the drive to help or seek a new friendship circle to consider joining. You can meet us at local events, at a Coffee Club meeting, an #OTW meet up at a members home or come along as a guest at one of our monthly speaker/supper meetings. Just get in touch to obtain details. There is no obligation to join, learn about our work and meet up first!
On March 8th International Women’s Day you’ll find us dressed in PINK sitting in the Orangery Cafe at Garsons Farm, KT10 8SL between 10am and Noon, come and join us for coffee!
Elmbridge area Soroptimists meet on the third Thursday of nearly each month at The Fairmile for supper. The meeting might start with a speaker from a charity, national support group, politics, or community association that enables women and girls to succeed. We eat together then hold our business meeting to discuss projects, finances, social events, fundraising and community action.
in Surrey there are clubs in Elmbridge, Woking, Epsom and Surrey Hills. The Southern region has 9 clubs in total spanning Surrey and Hampshire. These clubs meet up 3-4 times a year to discuss advocacy, projects and share ideas. Nationwide Clubs hold social and fundraising events throughout the year in addition to lobbying MPs, The Lords, politicians, and other political parties in important subjects which impact women and girls, equality, poverty alleviation, sustainability, climate and education.
Prospective members tend to join in with a few meetings before deciding if they’d like to join. Members pay a modest monthly capitation fee which enables the main UK/Ireland board to function effectively as part of the global SI organisation and it too funds and supports initiatives, training, webinars, conferences and meetings which are open to members. SIGBI has a trading entity and is a registered charity. Local clubs are not. The parent organisation governs club functioning, liability insurance, procedures and ensures compliance aspects. There is an annual SIGBI international conference attended by around 1000 international soroptimists each year, the location rotates around the region, this year it’s in Birmingham in November ’25. Every 2 years global soroptimists join together to enable
SIGBI has a very comfortable residential club which is open to the public in London Bayswater, No. 63; Soroptimist clubs are shareholders and have a concessionary B&B rate. More at https://number63.co.uk/
We hold some virtual meetings. It’s not essential to come to all meetings either, nor to join for a meal. The emphasis is on friendship, productivity, progress and fun without fuss.
Finally there is an e- Club SI Libertas for women who don’t live near a local club or prefer online involvement.