It’s always good to hear that members have additional strings to their bow, whether through work or volunteering and using their skills to enhance what they do and also promote Soroptimism at the same time.
A team from a Winchester charity was among a delegation of care providers attending a reception at No 10 Downing Street. The reception was to recognise and thank representatives from across the care sector for the work that they do. Brendoncare chief executive officer Marianne Wanstall invited Petya Koeva, housekeeper at Brendoncare Park Road and John Debil, nurse at Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill, and Annie Burisky, general manager of Brendoncare Stildon to join her at the reception, hosted by Helen Whateley MP, Minister for Social Care.
SI Winchester member Marianne added: “We had the opportunity to meet Helen Whateley and discuss topical issues, in particular the challenges regarding local authority funding levels and the importance of funding care at a level that ensures we can pay and reward our colleagues better.” The Brendoncare Foundation, a Winchester-based charitable organisation, provides care homes and community clubs for older people across the south of England
See more here in the Hampshire Chronicle
SI Winchester members Jean Edwardes and Doreen Davies used skills learned from their working days to take part in their local Whiteparish Garden and Hobbies Show. Jean studied Domestic Science at Bristol University’s Department of Women’s Studies (a very changed department in today’s world) and one of the numerous course was ‘Judging’. Over the years she has judged cookery/food sections at a variety of shows and competitions. 
Along with Doreen, whose secretarial skills in shorthand makes it easy for Jean to comment on the entries. Doreen transcribes Jean’s comments for her to inform and advise competitors on their entries. Jean said, ‘I need someone to scribe for me as I like to give a comment or explanation why an entry has won or maybe what has gone wrong, so Doreen takes on this task’. A valuable community effort from both Soroptimists who gained their skills in the 1950s, and used them to promote good work and Soroptimism in 2023.
SI Winchester member Julie Blackwell was up for a Volunteer award with her fellow volunteer team from the D-Day Story in Portsmouth. An annual award from the British Museum, the Marsh Award goes to a volunteer team/person who have enhanced a specific exhibit in their museum. The D-Day Story team won the South East region award for their tours which are given on the LCT 7074 (survivor Landing Craft Tank which landed on D-Day Gold Beach) and were presented with a certificate and a £500 cash prize. 
They underwent several weeks of training and workshops to get the right content to present the ship to the public. It is on display outside the D-Day Story in Portsmouth and is part of the museum’s outdoor exhibit. Inside the Museum is where the Overlord Embroidery is featured, along with a walk through exhibit and interactive experience of D-Day itself.
Cllr Steve Pitt of Portsmouth City Council, who own the Museum said, ‘Congratulations to the team at the D-Day Story on winning this prestigious award. Thanks to their ideas and passion, we can all embark on an enlightening journey into the history of the landing craft – an iconic landmark on our seafront.’
See more here in the Portsmouth News