Soroptimist International Taunton

On Saturday, it was the Soroptimist Day of Action! It was also the Soroptimist International South West and Channel Islands Region AGM, held in Taunton.
With "poverty" the theme for the Day of Action, members from across the Region donated food for the Taunton Food Bank. It was delivered by Taunton Club member, Christine, as shown in the photo with the Food Bank Manager Sue Weightman. A fantastic 136.9 kilos of food was donated together with some cash . The second photo shows the food brought to the meeting with the SW&CI Region President Jackie and Taunton Club member Christine, receiving the donations on behalf of the Food Bank.
A big thank you to members of the Region for this splendid result.

"90 for 90" : we've done it!

SI Taunton's Sew Protected project has reached its initial goal of 90 reusable sanitary kits this year to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland.

These will be presented to "School in a Bag' (SIAB) to go out to young girls in either disaster zones where sanitary protection is simply unavailable or to areas of the world where period poverty and period stigma hinders their education.

Our team has plenty more such reusable sanitary kits in production - any one can help and contributions of materials (old towels/duvet covers) are always welcome.

Our member, Christine, took part in the Race for Life at the weekend and raised over £300 plus gift aid for Cancer Research UK. Well done Christine!

SI Taunton's Sew Protected project is up and running with the good news that you do not have to be able to sew to contribute. Members have been cutting out materials from supplied templates, pinning pieces together, stencilling the design onto the templates and fixing the poppers on to both the pads and the purses.

Each kit consists of one pad together with at least 3 towel inserts so there are plenty of stand alone tasks for those willing to help but who do not have access to a sewing machine or are unable to join a communal sewing session - all instructions and materials supplied'

Contact us if you would like to contribute in any way.

To celebrate World Environment Day today, 10 members of the Club undertook a litter pick in Longrun Meadow. After the event, 2 other members joined the team for an excellent supper at Pizza Express.

Today, May 28th , is Menstrual Hygiene Day (https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org/) and SI Taunton is formally launching its project "Sew Protected".

In Sub-Saharan Africa it is estimated by UNESCO that teenage girls miss up to 20% of their schooling due to period poverty. We are sewing sustainable sanitary kits to enable girls to maintain their education and empower their future choices.

Reusable and made from recycled materials where possible these kits are sent out to girls both in the developing world and disaster zones. We have sent 100 pads to date and are now working with Sustainable Sanitary Kits (Yeovil) and School in a Bag ( https://www.schoolinabag.org/ ) to send complete kits

🎉🏊‍♀️ A Huge Thank You to All Swimmers and Supporters! 🏊‍♂️🎉

We're absolutely thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who participated in the Taunton Swimathon back in February and contributed to its astounding success! 🙌 Your dedication, enthusiasm, and sheer determination have not only made this event a memorable one but have also led to an incredible donation of £3000! 🌟A big thankyou to Taunton Round Table 140 and Soroptimist International Taunton for organising such a fantastic event, we can only imagine the work that goes into something like this.

A special shoutout to our phenomenal swimmers for diving in with passion and energy, and to all our generous donors and sponsors for their invaluable contributions. 🌊 Your collective efforts have made a real difference, and we couldn't be more grateful! 🙏

With over £9000 raised in total, we are over the moon to receive a very generous share of £3000 towards our core work.

Let's celebrate this remarkable achievement and the wonderful sense of unity it has fostered within our community. 🎊 Here's to making waves of positive change together! 🌊💙

Thanks to Soroptimist International Taunton for the opportunity to speak at their meeting last night. Cups & saucers in a red suitcase, items from almost forgotten memories of a place once called home, and dragons! Possible things to do together maybe?

The Knife Angel is an amazing sculpture which highlights the important issues of knife crime and the negative effects of violence and aggression.
If you are in Taunton during April do take the opportunity to visit it.

It was time for celebration this evening before our AGM when we presented Joan Dowell with a certificate marking 50 years as a Soroptimist. The presentation was made by President Jane Barrie and Past President Rhona Gillmore gave Joan a card and gift on behalf of the Club.

A delivery of Easter eggs from the Club to clients of the Nelson Trust women’s centre in Bridgwater and their children. Happy Easter from all members of SI Taunton.

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The Mayor of Taunton together with the organising committee of Soroptimists, Sue, Jane and Christine and 41 Club members Alistair and Harley celebrating the relaunch of the Swimathon last weekend.

Our own team, the Soroptimist Swans, took to the water last weekend and competed in the relaunched Swimathon. It was a great weekend, with everyone having fun while raising money for the three nominated charities, Young Somerset, Somerset Counselling Centre and Ups and Downs South West.
Our thanks to Taunton School for generously allowing us to use the swimming pool.

Our relaunched Swimathon, this year in partnership with Taunton Round Table and 41 Club was a great success last weekend and our local newspaper, the Somerset County Gazette have given us a four page spread in the print edition, together with a mention on the front page. Please read all about it

Scores take the plunge as Taunton Swimathon returns after four-year break Organisers are already planning for next year after the Taunton Swimathon was back at the weekend following a four-year gap.

Fantastic team effort from some our team, friends and family today at Taunton Swimathon, both in the pool and out!
We are lucky enough to be one of the beneficiaries of the event along with Young Somerset and Ups and Downs Southwest ❤

Brilliantly organised by Taunton Round Table 140, Soroptimist International Taunton and 41 Club .

There's still time to donate to the causes through our sponsorship page here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tauntonswimathon2024?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Ftauntonswimathon2024&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share&fbclid=IwAR32qwNExUwCHNVSOEv7rch66gFpDqur_7o3aLF5P_B2kffNC499w60i1kY

Did you all know CV vacs are coming to end at end of jan 24. At the moment no plan to replace. So…. Get in before Xmas shutdown 18 th dec til 3rd jan???
NHS text booking app closing 15 dec. this Friday……. if you re worried.

Members and Friends have made up 27 Christmas bags containing Winter Warmer goodies for the Nelson Trust Women's Centre in Bridgwater. The bags were collected together at our Christmas Supper held at the Maypole Inn, Thurloxton. A big thank you to everyone for their donations

This is suitable for all, not just women.

Stand Up Against Harassment, Bystander Training 22nd November 18:00-19:00 - 22/11/2023 18:00:00 The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, sponsored by L'Oreal Paris and with Right To Be, are delivering one hour "Stand Up Against Street Harassment" bystander training sessions throughout 2023.

We are delighted to announce the re-launch of the Taunton Swimathon on the 10th & 11th of February 2024!

A joint venture between Taunton Soroptimists, 41 Club and Taunton Round Table, this year’s beneficiaries are, Young Somerset, Ups & Downs South West and Somerset Counselling Centre.

To sign up please visit https://www.taunton-swimathon.co.uk or to volunteer to help out please contact us at [email protected]

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to putting on a successful event.

We are delighted to announce that the Taunton Swimathon will be returning to Taunton on the weekend of 10th and 11th of February 2024.
The event is being re-launched as a joint venture between Soroptimist International of Taunton, Taunton 41 Club and Taunton Round Table and will be held at Taunton School
The chosen beneficiaries are Young Somerset, Ups & Downs South West and Somerset Counselling Centre.
You will find the entry form by visiting https://www.taunton-swimathon.co.uk
Please do sign up.

Taunton Swimathon 2024 - Taunton Swimathon Taunton Swimathon

Swimathon site now open for entry forms and booking your time slot. https://www.taunton-swimathon.co.uk/

Every year at Taunton Foodbank we put together a Reverse Advent Calendar. Each day, rather than open a window, eat chocolate etc., we have a suggested item to donate.

You don’t have to keep to the items listed each day, it is just a suggestion from our list of most needed items.

All items over the month will help us fill the Food boxes that we pack for people in need in Taunton and the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your ongoing support.



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