I attended the SIGBI Leadership Day at Aston University with fellow Soroptimists from SI South Lancashire, Region President Margaret Molyneux (SI Leigh and District) and Margaret Baker (SI Bolton). We all agreed that it was a very interesting and thought provoking Day. I attended a work shop facilitated by Dishi Attwood (SI Litchfield) on ‘Make Your Club a Success’ and ‘Media Training (Radio and TV Interviews)’ facilitated by Margaret Hyde (SI Cambridge). Dishi’s workshop was informative and humorous as we learnt about different team structures: the ‘well balanced’ team; the ‘on a mission’ team; the ‘Mickey Mouse Party’ team and the ‘Pacman’ team!. We also learnt about the Seven Deadly Sins (adapted from ‘7 Deadly Sins of Recruiting Volunteers’ by Thomas W McKee). Dishi had some great ways of using glasses of water to emphasise her points! Margaret’s workshop had volunteers practising radio/TV interviews. We

An interesting and inspiring day was had by members of SI Widnes at the recent Regional Conference. First we were welcomed by Ann Hodgson Soroptimist International Federation President, then we were inspired by Emily Rose Yates- Emily Rose Yates Paralympic Games maker and author of Lonely Planet Accessible Rio Guide followed by Mike Hogan Chair of Trustees for Classrooms in the Clouds. Classrooms in the Clouds After a leisurely lunch, we were once again inspired by DS Sharon Smith from W Midlands Police talking about her work around arranged marriage, forced marriage and domestic abuse; Victoria Whittaker from War Child War Child;  and last but not least the very lively and energetic Sarah Brook CEO and Founder of Sparkle Malawi, a philanthropic organisation established to create brighter, sustainable futures for vulnerable people around the world. Sparkle Malawi.   

SI Widnes would like to wish you all a happy new year for 2016. We will be hosting a variety of events throughout the year, our new programme will be starting in April, when further details will be available. To get in touch or find out more please get in touch on siwidnes@Hotmail.co.uk.

President Paula, presented long term service award to three members, Dot Massey for 25 years service, Lily Woodstock for 35 years service, and Barbara Stott for 65 years service to Soroptimism. Sadly Barbara Stott could not be with us on the night, but we caught our other two members on camera with their certificates!

SI Widnes was proud to present our joint project with SI Bangalore , the Brindavan Project, at the Gateshead Conference, as an example of good programme work in action. This is a joint project through which we are helping give girls who are disadvantaged a chance to develop and shine through education. As part of our fundraising for the project we undertook a walk to the nearby Dream Monument and an Indian evening and in honour of the project SI Widnes member Wendy Ross-Barker wrote a poem called Dream. “Her name is Dream, she stands up high, against the sky, a sculpture white and bright. We’re walking up towards her, and now our dreams take flight. To India to Bangalore, to young girls who are given, undreamed of opportunities, and hope filled possibilities, supported by soroptimists and nurtured by Brindavan. Child dream your dreams,believe in your

An SI Widnes club member,Victoria Smerdon became the third member of SI Widnes to become regional president, of South Lancashire. Following on in the footsteps of Mrs Dot Massey and Mrs Linda Redhead. She was inaugurated at the Gateshead Conference.