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

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