Cervical Cancer Cervical Screening and HPV Vaccination health cards were distributed by Soroptimists during Cervical Cancer Screening Week, 19-24 June 2025 This is such an important topic for women and girls.  Everyone needs to see these latest vaccination figures: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2023-to-2024 Skittles and Lunch with Shifa “The best event in our year!” During the year Woking Soroptimists help women to attend Shifa to improve their English.  We all enjoy the sessions and there is a lot of laughter – but these meetings have a serious purpose.   When we gather for Skittles and Lunch, things are different, though – pure pleasure! We met in St Andrew’s Church at the end of June and great fun was had by all. We look forward to resuming our English conversation sessions in September. Shifa is currently fundraising to pay for swimming lessons for the women who attend the centre. 

New Year, New Programme The new Soroptimist year has begun! Celebrating Decades of Dedication at Our May Action Meeting The May Action Meeting brought with it a truly joyful moment: celebrating the remarkable commitment of three of our longstanding members. Rozanne has contributed an incredible 30 years of service to Soroptimist work, Jennie an inspiring 35 years, and Audrey—an outstanding 40 years of dedication! In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Audrey has been made an Honorary Member of SI Woking & District—a fitting tribute to a legacy of service that continues to inspire us all.             Inspiring Start to the Year with Sight for Surrey We began the new Soroptimist year on an inspiring note with guest speaker Justine Jasper, Head of Charity Services at Sight for Surrey. Justine delivered an engaging and informative talk about the wide range of

Annual General Meeting April – A Month of Reflection, Celebration and New Beginnings April always holds a special place in the Soroptimist calendar. As the last month of our year, it invites us to pause, look back, and celebrate all that we’ve achieved together. It’s a time to offer heartfelt thanks and recognition—to the many passionate Soroptimists actively making a difference in our Club and throughout the community. Equally, April marks the beginning of a new chapter. A fresh programme of events and activities awaits, and with it, a renewed commitment to service, friendship, and positive change. At this year’s SI Woking Annual General Meeting, we expressed our gratitude to the outgoing co-presidents and formally welcomed the 2025–26 Leadership Team. Silvia, Fiona and Jennie will steer us through the coming twelve months of the new ‘Community and Communication’ programme . Fun, but serious Following the

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

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