The following four clubs and their projects were put forward at the September Regional Council Meeting for members to vote on.
SI Bingley – Provision and support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
They have raised awareness of the needs of Refugees and Asylum seekers and provided volunteers to assist in running the Refugee Storage Centre. They have written letters of support to local councillors and MP’s to support the much needed relocation of the centre to more suitable premises.
SI Dewsbury and District – Mirfield Friendship Cafe
This is an ongoing project that was started before Covid. The Friendship Cafe provides a space for people to create new friendships and meet up with old friends in a safe and pleasant atmosphere. There is no charge but there is a donation box, the money is used to replace the milk etc.. and the remainder is put towards the Christmas cafe. The cafe averages 20 to 25 people every month, some regulars but often new faces.
SI Hallamshire – Baby Basics Charity
This is their 2nd year of supporting Baby Basics in Sheffield. The members have continued to knit baby clothes, sew cot sheets, make fabric bags from recycled fabrics usually curtains and bedding. They supported for a 2nd year new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby. They provided essential equipment to mothers and families unable to provide this for themselves, including but not limited to teenage mums, people seeking asylum and women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking.
AND THE WINNER IS
SI Sheffield – Ongoing Social Action in Sheffield
Building on a past project ‘Healthy Hampers’ which provided slow cookers, kitchen utensils, cool bags, recipe cards and food to womens refuges and to Winn Garden, an economically challenged and very diverse estate in Sheffield. They continue to support Winn Gardens, which houses many asylum seekers and women escaping domestic violence. They have continued to provide slow cookers to resident families, alongside recipe cards (developed by Sixth Form Girls as part of Share Our Skills Project.
There was also a President’s award which was presented to the SIYAMS (Soroptimist International Yorkshire Against Modern Slavery) group for excellent regional Programme Action work.
Two clubs both received a Highly Commended Award:
SI Richmond & Dales – International Women’s Day – Women of Richmond Exhibition
SI Ilkley – Inspiring Young Female Volunteer (aged 16-25)
