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 about.

We were able to show her the Club’s new Safety Contact Cards. They raise awareness about the need to stay safe and offer a practical solution.  Writing your personal emergency contact numbers on the card ensures you aren’t stuck if your phone or your memory lets you down.  This pilot project has benefited from a grant from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner‘s Community Safety Fund.

Bridge and Tea – a winning combination

Our popular Bridge Tea event came up trumps again this year.

Many local Bridge enthusiasts responded to the offer to play at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Pyrford at the end of October 2023.  Members of SI Woking made and served a traditional afternoon tea of top-quality sandwiches and cakes and arranged a well-supported raffle.

The event aimed to raise money to help autistic women and girls in Surrey – and the result?  £660 will go to Appeer.

Appeer was founded by Joanne Dillworth to connect autistic girls with each other for mutual support and opportunities to learn, grow and enjoy themselves. Using a positive peer approach, Appeer empowers autistic girls and women to forge their  own paths to happy, healthy, and authentic futures.

Soroptimists Talk

…as well as do!  Two of our members, Sue and Christina, had a wide-ranging discussion about Soroptimist International about on Radio Woking recently.   You can listen to it here

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Our new safety card – keep it with you but not with your phone!

Many of us rely on our mobiles for those important contact numbers.  But what do you do if your mobile is lost or stolen or has a flat battery?  And you can’t remember the  phone numbers of your nearest and dearest?

Promoted at our Orange Cafe and recognised by the SI Southern Regional Awards

Ask us for one of our reminder cards and write your emergency contact numbers on it!

Tea with Shifa

We spent a lovely October ‘Tea Morning” with the ladies of Shifa.  We talked about the many kinds of tea there are and how we make tea, in the UK and in other countries.  Customs and habits can be so different and changing.  How many now use teabags and mugs instead of teapots, teacups and loose tea?  We took traditional British biscuits to try. And home-made cakes and talked recipes.  The Shifa ladies brought home-made sweet dishes.  Delightful!

SI Woking takes a stand

We were pleased to take a stand at the official opening of the Phoenix Cultural Centre in Woking during October.

A community place with a focus on music and the arts – The Fiery Bird Music Venue and Phoenix Cultural Centre are really good news for Woking.

We presented our new safety card. because, alas, entertainment places are not always safe for women.  We salute the work of Safe Gigs For Women

Nobel Prize for Economics

This year, the Nobel Prize for Economics was won by a woman for her work about women and work.

She is a specialist in the history of economics and the first woman to be appointed head of the economics department at Harvard.

Food for Thought

A new exhibition at the Woking Lightbox.

The New Beginnings exhibition features artworks by women helped by the Women’s Support Centre Surrey.  The works of art, and the accompanying texts, give us all food for thought.

Food without plastic

From 1 October 2023 in England, customers will not see plastic  plates, bowls, trays, containers or cutlery when they buy food and drink from cafes and restaurants.  This ban has been in force in the European Union since 2021.

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25 September 2023 – Soroptimists were at Squires Café and Garden Centre in Woking to draw attention to the violence suffered by women and girls. Thank you, Squires, for the welcome and support you gave us!

On the 25fh of the month we are raising awareness about the need to reduce violence against women and girls – so much in the local and national news at the moment.

Look for the women dressed in orange – and join them for a chat!

New Soroptimist International logo

The cover picture for our September news show the new Soroptimist International logo.  Adopted at the recent global Soroptimist International conference in Dublin, it brings us right up to date!

Fundraising event

Advance notice: Woking Soroptimists are organising an event to raise funds for Appeer.  This Surrey-based organisation meets an important need.  It helps autistic girls and women in the county.  Contact us here for tickets and all details.

A shining light in Woking and beyond

Anna Wright, manager of the Lighthouse centre in Barnsbury, Woking, came to our Social Meeting in September.  She told us about the great things the Lighthouse does, nor only in the town centre and Barnsbury.  The Lighthouse now has a centre in Aldershot and hopes to open a centre in Guildford.

The Lighthouse has a Style Studio and a Hygiene Bank, just to name a couple of their great projects.  All aimed at creating a sense of community for all.  Truly a shining light!

If you want to find out more, go to the Lighthouse website or visit the centre in Woking and discover the Cosy Café.

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We usually expect to have a sunny, holiday mood photo for our August report.  This year is different.  Climate change has brought terrible fires to so many places.  Holidaymakers and residents are suffering.  But so is nature.

Domestic Abuse

Connected tech: smart or sinister?

Domestic abusers adopt the latest techniques.  The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in the UK Parliament has published a new report about this. It says that smartphones and home connection systems make it easier for people to control others.  The Committee asks MPs to do something about this.  Contact your MP!  Read more here.

Repair, Reuse, Recycle

Woking now has a  Repair Cafe so you don’t have to throw away!

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The June News photo show the cover of a book by John Little.  The book tells an inspiring story: how pioneering Dr Hamlin set up the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.  Her aim was to help girls and young women seriously harmed by Femaile Genital Mutilation (FGM)

We have been knitting squares for the Hamlin Fistula Hospital for some time.  Members came together in July – Soroptimists devote special time in July to service – to sew the knitted squares into blankets.  We are well on the way to completing 9 blankets!

Each young woman who comes to the hospital gets a blanket and takes it home with her – very handy for cold Ethiopian nights!  We knit on!!

Memories for the Future

At the June and July 2023 Social Meetings, the two invited speakers spoke about memories and the future but in different ways.

In June, Rachel Lewis, a life story writer, told members how to create a book  of the memorable events in our lives for future generations.  Find out more on her website.

And in July, Natalie Stephens (with President Barbara R in our photo) gave us a fascinating account of Optichrome. The printing company was created by Natalie’s grandfather . The family firm is now 60 years old. Third-generation CEO Natalie has the task of handing it down when the time comes.

She has already made big changes – especially by introducing a range of eco paper straws.  They can be printed with the customer’s choice of word and pictures – and are entirely biodegradable! Optichrome is really looking to the future!

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts Report

After the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts Report was published by Soroptimist International,   Bournemouth University held a one-day conference about it. The Violence Against Women and Girls: Social Justice in Action conference was hosted by Soroptimist International and Bournemouth University on 29th June.  The purpose of the conference: seeking social justice to tackle violence against women and girls.

Dr Liz Dominey of Soroptimist International Bournemouth said “This latest study supports previous reports which have found that women are not being supported and the special protection that these courts are supposed to provide is not always there”.

Read more about the discussion on improving these specialist courts in the account published by Bournemouth University here.

Orange the World

Look for a cafe near you where an Orange the World Group meets!

In July, the Woking Orange the World Group will be at Bourney Valley Cafe on 25 July 2023.

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This project, which began in 2017, aimed to provide an independent review of how the new Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts are working across England.  And more specifically to show how they could be made to work better for the victims of abuse, most of them women.

Soroptimists volunteers across England spent around 4,000 hours making observations at over 30 courts.  More than 1,000 questionnaires were completed and submitted from the observations. The final report (three have already been published) is now available. Together they form a pretty  comprehensive report on how the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts are working across the country.

Soroptimists stand up as advocates for all women, but especially for those who have no voice. We acted as independent observers of these special courts as a way of helping the public to have confidence in them. But we also want to build public trust in our justice system by driving  improvements. The report contains our recommendations to that end.

If real improvements are to be made, lawmakers and decision makers must act on the evidence in the Report.  Please lobby your MP!

Orange the World campaign

You’re in a café and you see a group of women wearing orange… If it’s the 25th of the month, you can be sure they aren’t wearing a company uniform or this season’s top fashion colour.  They are drawing attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls.

The Women Against Violence (VAWG) group of the Woking Soroptimist International Club is leading this effort in our town.  It is inspired by the UNiTE Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls started by UN Women.  Soroptimists are raising awareness with Orange Café days across the UK.  We all have to make efforts to push for women’s rights in every country.

So next time you go for a coffee on the 25th, why not join the group and find out more?  They are keeping a place for you!

#OrangeDay

Volunteers Week

During the first week in June, the spotlight is on volunteers.  We thank them all for the work they do and the tremendous help they give to our community.

Our Soroptimist International members are all enthusiastic volunteers.  Katharine recently received her long-service award from 2022-3 SIWD President Barbara Roddy, She has volunteered for 35 years as a member of our Woking Soroptimist Club!

Disabled women and sexual health

…speaking of women’s rights, the BBC broadcast ‘The Conversation’ featured two women talking about the rights and needs of disabled women.

Listen to the broadcast here.

Plastic-Free Champions

A new initiative in Woking: positive recognition for businesses who reduce plastic.

Woking Environment Action have announced Plastic-Free Champions in Horsell. More here

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It’s May, summer is on the horizon, energy levels are rising.  A good time to learn more about what Soroptimists do. A good time to think about what you can do to make the lives of women and girls better.  Contact us here.

Climate Action 1

Climate Action you can take this month: It’s No Mow May!  You can help protect biodiversity by not mowing your lawn.  Just admire it instead!

Climate Action 2

Climate Action taken by Horsell Common Preservation Society, Woking Borough Council and Surrey County Council.

After many months of work, the new ponds, paths and boardwalks near Wheatsheaf Common are ready for use.  A great amenity for local people.

But also a serious purpose.  The ponds offer water storage to prevent flash floods. And the new areas of grass, wildflower meadows and reedbeds provide new habitats for wildlife.  Great for biodiversity!

Shifa

A hand of friendship between Shifa and SI Woking.

Woking Soroptimists were delighted to join the Shifa ladies for their Eid party – such a joyful occasion. We saw at first hand how the women are growing in confidence thanks to the help Shifa gives.  We are glad to be contributing to Shifa’s work with our English conversation sessions.

Recognition for Women

The Women’s Prize for Fiction has announced the shortlist for 2023.  Which authors in the list have you read?  Find out more here.

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SI Woking held its Annual General Meeting in April.  It was good to review the past year and remember the causes we supported.  They include Your Sanctuary, a charity dear to our hearts for its care of the victims of domestic abuse.  So we were delighted to learn that one of outgoing presidents, Barbara R,  personally raised the magnificent sum of £600 recently for Your Sanctuary with a cake sale.

We welcomed our Co-Presidents for the next Soroptimist Year 2023-24.  Sue S joins Barbara R and Rozanne, who are willing to serve for a second year.  We look forward to carrying our the new programme of actions and events under their leadership.

Many congratulations are due to three long-serving members. Marlie (in our photo) has been a Soroptimist for 30 years, Katharine for 35 years and Elizabeth for 45 years!!

Hamlin Fistula Hospital

We are knitting square for blankets!  The Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia aims to treat and prevent injuries when women give birth.  The Hospital gives every woman who comes for help a Comfort Pack on arrival.  The Comfort Pack includes useful items for their stay in hospital.  When they leave, the women take everything with them plus a new dress.

The Pack includes a warm knitted blanket and this year, the Hospital is appealing for 1,000 blankets! Woking Soroptimists will be knitting many squares for these blankets over the coming months….

We are cooperating with our Friendship Link Club in Stourbridge on this.  SI Stourbridge has been helping the Hamlin Fistula Hospital for many years.  We’re glad to be working with our sister Soroptimists on this very worthwhile project.

More about the Hamlin Fistula Hospital here.

Women Artists

So many of them, so many unknown!  Discover them here

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SI Woking is a regular supporter of Your Sanctuary. We are proud to say that Soroptimist Barbara R, one of our 2022-3 co-Presidents, raised money for Your Sanctuary with a cake sale on 25 March 2023.

World Water Day

World Water Day falls in March every year.  A day to think about looking after this precious resource.  Especially as we hear regular news of unusual drought in other countries – and in parts of the UK.

Let’s all help to ensure we have enough clean water for our needs.  No wet wipes or tampons in the loo and no fat down the sink will cut the fatbergs, for example.

But should we be putting toilet paper in the loo?

Time magazine recently posted an article about PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) in loo paper.  Read more here

International Women’s Day

A day to celebrate the achievements of women past and present.  And also to remember the achievements to protect women from harm.

An inspiring woman from the past

Bess of Hardwick Hall

ES adorns the top of Hardwick Hall – signalling the power and drive of the woman who built it: Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury.

Inspiring woman living now

Which living woman do you choose to celebrate International Woman’s Day?

New law to protect girls

An addition to the measures protecting women and girl came into force on 28 February 2023. T he Marriage and Civil Partnership Act 2022 now applies in England and Wales in the United Kingdom. So young girls of 16 and 17 can no longer marry or be married.  More here.

Soroptimist Spring News

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The UK government has decided to make a new law against public sexual harassment.  More on this page.

This month, Stella Creasy MP has written an article on this subject in The Guardian newspaper.  She suggests a change to the proposed new law.  At the moment, people accused of public sexual harassment can say ‘I didn’t think it was wrong’ or ‘I didn’t mean it’ or ‘It was in fun’.  According to the MP, such excuses should not be accepted.   The world will improve if we all think before we speak and act.

Syria and Turkey Earthquakes 

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) has published a statement about the earthquakes. Read it here: February 8, 2023

The Red Cross have opened an appeal. SIGBI has made a donation of £2,000. If you wish to donate please visit the Red Cross website: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal

The thoughts and prayers of all Soroptimists are with all those in Syria and Turkey, especially our Soroptimist sisters, who have been affected by the two powerful earthquakes which hit both countries in the space of 12 hours.

February – the month to Show The Love

This month the Climate Coalition is running the Show The Love campaign.   They ask us to show our love for the planet in as many ways as we can.

Members of SI Woking raised awareness with their ‘Green-hearted Soroptimist’ team at the York Road Project Quiz in early February.  Green hearts were in abundance at our table!  York Road Project helps the homeless in Woking.  The well-attended quiz raised a whopping £900!

Your Sanctuary

Fiamma Pather, CEO of Your Sanctuary gave us an update at our February Social Meeting.  Ms Pather first reminded us of the patterns of coercive behaviour that can be typical of abusers.  She went on to describe the ways Your Sanctuary has to help victims.  There are not only refuges – there is a lot of outreach work as well.  Your Sanctuary increasingly wants to make it easy for victims to ask for help.  A new development in this regard is the offer of an online chat as well as the more usual telephone helpline.

Of course, getting money to pay for the charity’s services is always a concern.  So members were glad to learn about some new funding in the pipeline. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Lisa Townsend, has secured almost £1million from the Government!  The money will pay for a package of support for young people.  The aim is to offer young people information and training in what make a good or a bad relationship.  Raising awareness in this will should help to combat violence against women and girls in Surrey.

Woking Soroptimists gave Ms Pather a collection of cleaning materials and products for the Surrey refuges.

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