Soroptimist International Bath and District

A whole host of nations came together to attend the 2023 S.I. convention in Dublin over 3 days. We had inspiring speakers such as Former Irish Prime Minister Mary Robinson, the former President of the Republic of China Mr Ma Ying-Jeo, various representatives who have worked with the UN in the past and the present to name just a few. All very interesting and thought provoking.

At our regional meeting in Taunton, a beautiful handmade quilt was raffled off to raise money for our charity for this year called Mummy’s Star. Our club President Di was very happy to hand over the quilt to S.I. Jersey’s President Jean-Marie who had the winning ticket.

Six members from the club helped out at the annual Walk of Life providing water and snacks for participants walking either 26 or 10 miles. It was a lovely sunny day and most walkers were feeling very buoyant at the 10 mile mark at Semington. Other members were there to greet and cheer the walkers right at the end. Hoepfully a great deal of money was raised.

Lynne who has been supported by Mummy’s Star in the past few years, gave us an insight to the all important work that the charity does. The charity supports women who are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy and up to a year afterwards. Very little is known about this national charity but Lynne gave us information on how she was supported during her treatment for cancer during her pregnancy and therafter. She said she could not have coped without the caring support and vital information that she received after such a traumatic experience of receiving chemotherapy whilst trying to look after her family. The talk highlighted the importance of more information being channelled to the right departments within hospitals and the wider community to make a real difference.

As always the Presdiency changed at our AGM and Di has taken over from Jenny. Jenny was presented with a gift and thanked for the 2 years that she did espeically during covid. Di’s charity for the year will be Mummy’s Star, a charity that helps women during pregnancy and 3 months after who discover that they have cancer. We look forward to hearing from a representative at our next meeting.

To help highlight World Book Day, books were donated to a local charity Julian House who help people struggling with life in general such as homelessness and domestic abuse.

Paul, a volunteer from WaterAid attended our monthly meeting to give us an update on the charity. It’s a charity that we have supported for many years and we save up loose change throughout the year to donate to the charity.

It was a pleasure to hand over £200 to the charity and learn more about the overseas work that they do.

Members from the club met up with Wera Hobhouse MP to discuss possible future events highlighting women and girls, in and around Bath. It was good to learn how the Government system works and how many local organsiations could come together to make a bigger impact. We really hope that we can liaise with Wera and other women’s groups in the future.

Members from the club have been knitting hearts, blankets and baby hats for the Neonatal unit at the RUH.

What lovely colours to brighten up a special place.