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…. 16 Days of Activism Soroptimists around the world draw attention at this time to the UN Campaign to stop violence against women and girls.  

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

New Soroptimist Year We reviewed our busy year at the April 2024 AGM.   In additional to welcoming two new members, we held two large fund-raising events and contributed to the work of our Programme Action Groups: Violence Against Women and Girls/Women’s Safety, Climate Action and Micro Finance. President Sue Solly handed over the presidential badge of office to Fiona Collett, who is the first of our three presidents to be in charge of our programme of work and entertainment during 2024-5. Shifa Eid Party 2024 Members were pleased to join the Shifa Eid Party in Woking.  A great opportunity for sharing aspects of our various cultures.  A great atmosphere and delicious food! Help for victims of abuse We have been knitting blankets to help the victims of FGM.  But we hope that the practice will end.  So do Vavengers, a charity that actively campaigns to

Tea & Temptations Not only an unmissable fashion show, not only a gorgeous afternoon, but stalls to buy from as well! We have joined with SI Weybridge for this event.  The beneficiaries will be : Surrey Care Trust and  Hersham FC Women and Girls Tickets on sale now.  Don’t miss the boat, get in touch now! International Women’s Day – 8 March 2024 #inspireinclusion The Mayor and Mayoress of Woking joined Soroptimists and friends on Bedser Bridge, Woking to support the theme of #inspireinclusion for International Women’s Day 2024. Microfinance Group Our Microfinance Group has arranged a loan to help five women in Zambia. More here Contact Cards The idea of carrying a card with contact numbers in addition to the mobile phone is catching on! The card will soon be available in Surrey Libraries. Contact us for more information. Blankets for Ethiopia We have

Inspiring Inclusion This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ We are meeting on the Bedser Bridge in Woking on 27 February 2024 at 11.00 Join us there! Help for suffering women We will beat our target of knitting 20 blankets for women helped by the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.  The women – some of them very young – have suffered physical damage during childbirth, possibly made worse by the practice of FGM (female genital mutilation).   Our blankets offer physical warmth and comfort while in hospital and when they go back home. Tea & Temptations SI Woking will hold a Fashion Show with Afternoon Tea on Saturday 6 July 2024 in Mayford Village Hall. The proceeds of the event will be shared between Surrey Care Trust and Let’s Read. Contact us for more details. Contact Card for Surrey SI Woking’s message: Stay

Happy New Year! We begin a New Year whilst continuing our 2023-24 programme of activities and awareness-raising. Look our for details of the fund-raising event we will hold on 6 July 2024 – the return of a favourite event ‘Tea & Temptations’. Violence against Women New year – but not a new problem: violence against women and girls.  Listen to this BBC episode of Fixing Britain to learn more about current initiatives and what can be done to tackle this ongoing issue: Fixing Britain Barbara Watts VIP project We raised £210.00 for the Barbara Watts VIP project in December 2023.  We held a small raffle at the Christmas Dinner and added donations instead of exchanging Christmas cards. Hamlin Fistula Hospital We are close to beating our new target of knitting 20 blankets for the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia! Blankets, like this one made by

16 Days of Activism Getting the message up there about violence towards women and girls in the world Soroptimist Jan represented SI Woking during the special walk in Walton-on-Thames to start the 16 Days of Activism – the United Nations Campaign to eliminate violence against women. Remembrance Sunday   President Rozanne, accompanied by Soroptimist Jennie, laid the wreath at Woking Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November 2023. Advent Calendars Members donated 52 calendars for children and 22 calendars for adults who are supported in Surrey by Your Sanctuary. Crime and safety in Surrey Lisa Townsend [Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner since 2021] was our guest speaker at our November Social Meeting.  She gave us a very thought-provoking and informative talk about her roles and responsibilities – and her thoughts on the way forward to support women and their safety both at home and out and