Violence against women and girls In January 2025, the National Audit Office produced a report about the work of the Home Office to reduce violence against women and girls. Read BBC article here. Climate change Members welcomed Claire and Hector to the February Social Meeting, for a very informative talk about the work of The Carbon Trust The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit body that offers consultancy and other services to big companies, major brands and a wide variety of organisations. It helps them to measure their climate impact and work out how to reduce it, in line with government policy. The work of the Carbon Trust is part of the push to keep global warming  below 1.5% by 2050. Scientific research has shown how necessary this is. Poorer people in poorer countries suffer more although they produce less carbon, and women are particularly affected. 

January 2025 Happy New Year!  A time to look forward and make resolutions… …We began the year with a very convivial Social Meeting, with a lot to tell each other about the holidays and quizzes to reawaken our brains. But we did not forget the things that give us cause for concern.: We chose ‘environmentally-friendly’ clothes to wear, remembering that ‘fast fashion’ is a contributor to global warming. We brought food items for the Your Sanctuary store cupboard.  These donations are useful when victims of domestic abuse need immediate help. And we gave money instead of sending many Christmas cards, raising a total of £200. We are splitting this money between the charity chosen by Woking Mayor Louise Morales: The Lighthouse – and the Soroptimist International Foundation. Domestic and other abuse of women and girls Healthwatch Surrey has a project about domestic abuse and is

December The last month of the year, when time speeds up as we prepare for Christmas and New Year. Our cover picture this month reflects the warm red we see everywhere – on maple trees before the leaves fall, on holly bushes throughout the winter…and in Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, Santa Claus…. Long-service award We were delighted to see Sue D receive her long-service award at our Christmas dinner.  Sue has done a great deal to help women and girls at home and abroad.  A Soroptimist for 30 years,  Sue was very active in the VIP project, during which we helped young women in South Africa to get professional experience.  She has held official Club positions during that time and is currently Joint Treasurer. 16 Days of Activism Soroptimists around the world draw attention at this time to the UN Campaign to stop violence against

October Social Meeting SI Woking monthly Social Meetings are always an opportunity for members to socialise in a relaxed atmosphere, But the more serious challenges that concern all Soroptimists are never far away.  Our collection of store cupboard items to give to Your Sanctuary this month is a reminder that there are always new victims of domestic violence in Surrey.  If they leave home in a hurry, they will need help immediately.  Woking Soroptimists donate food and toiletries to cover those first, difficult days. And our speaker, Maggie A Hussein, of the University of Kingston London,  brought the plastics crisis into focus.  She has a background of music and legal studies, and now specialises in environmental law.  Her thoughts on how plastic, hailed as a wonder material when it was invented, has now become a monster difficult to control, led to some lively discussion. It

Our Club Reviewing the situation after the August break is always a good thing to do. We have many members who have served the community faithfully for many years and help to make our Club close-knit and a real team. But we are always pleased to welcome new members and sad to see others leave.  This time we said good-bye to Robin, who will continue her association with Soroptimist International in another part of the country.  And we welcome two new members, Joy and Donna (here receiving her membership badge from President Jennie). We were able to confirm the financial success of the Tea & Temptations! event before the holidays.  The total of just over £2,000 raised by our two Clubs (Woking & Weybridge) is our best to date.  We are delighted to be able to support Surrey Care Trust and Hersham Football Club Women

Orange Café, Goldsworth Park, 25 July 2024 Raising Awareness and Practical Help – It’s what Soroptimists do! A group of Woking Soroptimists gathered at Costa Café in Goldsworth Park on 25 July 2024. Dressed in orange, they were raising awareness about the shocking frequency of violence against women and girls. In the report released on 23 July 2024, the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) talks of ‘a national emergency’ . The report is the first national analysis of cases and should be a call to action for everyone. During their Orange Café, Woking Soroptimists were also highlighting the violence suffered by women who undergo female genital mutilation (FGM).  They are knitting blankets to give to the women who come to the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals in Ethiopia for repair surgery. Thank you,  Costa Café in Goldsworth Park for your very warm welcome.  

Orange Cafe – 25 July 2024 Woking Soroptimists are raising awareness about violence to women and girls in Woking Tea & Temptations! The July weather outside was no fun at all, but it didn’t rain on our parade! Our Fashion Show with Afternoon Tea on 6 July 2024 was a great success.  Summer clothes from Phase 8, Mad Jak and Bisou Boutique.  Clever upcycling of clothes from Liaise Women’s Centre. Delicious cakes, scones and sandwiches.  Tempting things to buy. Sustainable Fashion We all love fashion, and variety is the spice of life – but what about the effect on the environment and climate change?  By the fabrics we choose, by keeping clothes for longer, by making and repairing what we wear, we can help to reduce the negative effects. These considerations are part of Tea & Temptations 2024. For example: Phase Eight offers collections based

Electoral Wishes There will be national elections in early July, so now is the time to think about what you would like the next government to do for women and girls. An opportunity to imagine the future. Domestic Abuse Woking Borough Council June newsletter includes a reminder about the risks of domestic abuse: “Football doesn’t cause domestic abuse, but incidents can increase or become more severe around key matches. Domestic abuse affects people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, abilities and income levels and it can happen in any relationship. It can take many forms, including psychological and emotional abuse, coercive control, economic and financial abuse, stalking and harassment, physical violence and sexual abuse. Whatever the situation, domestic abuse is never acceptable. For help and support call Surrey’s Domestic Abuse helpline on 01483 776822 or call the national helpline 0808 2000 247 available 24/7. In an emergency always call 999.” Great Big