Last week (12 October) Soroptimist International of Winchester & District took advantage of the charity offer from the Rick Stein restaurant in Winchester. This offers an opportunity for charities to invite volunteers and supporters to enjoy coffee and cake in a friendly atmosphere. Treasurer Julie Blackwell said, ‘It’s a great opportunity for the club members to talk to visitors about our projects and create awareness of what we do, the more members we have, the more good we can do.’
The club took the opportunity to promote its awareness and advertised locally for ladies to visit and meet the members to show their projects. The club supports the women’s Refuge in Winchester and also the Trinity Centre, along with lobbying Government for women’s rights and improvements to the Domestic Abuse Bill and many other projects in the UK and overseas, transforming the lives of women and girls. The organisation also has consultative status at the United Nations and projects are reported back to the UN to continue this process.
The club welcomed the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Vivian Achwal and her husband who were interested in the projects the club undertakes. As part of the centenary the club is working with Winchester Hospice to add to the garden and also the Trinity Centre. In both these cases trees will be planted, which reflects the activity of the first project back in 1921 when California Soroptimists pledged to save the giant Redwood trees. They were successful in this and the trees prove that to this day, a true legacy.
The next event is hosting and taking a stand at the Winchester City Council car boot sale at the Cattle Market on Sunday 24 October.
It is hoped that some of the ladies who attended the coffee morning will join the club and help support more projects. If you are interested in finding out more or considering membership, please contact winchestersoroptimists@gmail.com
Mayor Vivan Achwal with members and visitors
Members talk about club projects to visitors