Soroptimist International Harrogate & District

17/06/2026

We hope England win. But, no one faces violence because of a football game

17/06/2026

A lot of us will be watching the England match tonight. Looking forward to a good match and a win. Unfortunately the downside of football matches is the increase in domestic abuse - the biggest increases is with a loss but it still increases even when we win. There will be women and families in England in trepidation of tonight’s match.

17/06/2026

We support our local food banks through our Bring a Tin collections as well as fund raising activities. We are on a mission to raise awareness about the reality of the gap between Universal Credit and having enough food and fuel. There is so much misinformation on how much people on UC actually get to live on.

17/06/2026

We took part in this survey at our local stations. The only staffed station in the 6 stations in our area is Harrogate.

16/06/2026

Excellent first meeting with representatives from The Mothers Union, Soroptimist International, Cathedral, New Beginnings and IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services). We are planning ahead for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence that takes place between 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 10 December, UN Human Rights Day. Lots of excellent ideas shared. We are looking forward to our next meeting when we begin to flesh out the bones as to how we work together to stop abuse of women and girls.
Watch out for more information.
Mothers' Union Soroptimist SIGBI New Beginnings Peer Support Ripon Cathedral UN Women IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services)

04/06/2026

Last night the Club welcomed the Reverend Darryl Hall to give us an insight into Rural Food Poverty. Darryl set up the Food Bank at St Cuthbert’s Church that supports local people in need around Pateley Bridge and upper Nidderdale. The Club has been actively supporting the Food Bank over the last two years.
Darryl gave a very informative and thought provoking presentation about rural food poverty.
Many food banks now offer coffee and an opportunity to socialise, but in a small rural community this model doesn’t always work. There still a stigma attached to using food banks and, To quote Darryl, “Privacy and Dignity is more important than coffee and cake”.
Nidderdale is an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” but that doesn’t prevent people struggling to afford enough food.
There is a cost penalty for living in a rural area. Darryl recalled a quote the “poverty is expensive”.
Transport is expensive, Public transport is limited or non existent. Local shops and fuel are more expensive and the nearest big supermarket a 45 min or longer drive away. And that’s if you have car.
Darryl left us with this thought, “ Food Banks are not really about food. They are about people. They are about dignity. They are about reminding someone that, for all the difficulties they may be facing, they have not been forgotten”.
Club members thanked Darryl and donated the meeting’s Bring a Tin Collection to the Bridge Food Bank.

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

Fabulous afternoon on the 27th May in to raise funds for our Ukraine project. Sandra, Tricia and Denise put on a fabulous spread for afternoon tea raising £417. This, and other monies will ensure we can continue to support Care in Action - Турбота в Дії as the winter months approach.

27/04/2026

Four Club members attended the Remembrance Day services held at Stonefall Cemetery Commonwealth War Graves. President Heather laid a wreath on behalf of our Club and our Friendship link SI Wellington in New Zealand. It was a very moving service with young people from the Air Cadets as well as Civic dignitaries including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and the Mayor of Harrogate. Also, representatives from the Royal Australian Air Force, RAF, New Zealand Army and USAF.
The Ceremony is organised by ANZAC REMEMBRANCE C.I.O. Kate Spencer, who instigated the Ceremony 5 yrs ago and is a British and New Zealand citizen has investigated the lives of the 23 New Zealand airmen buried at Stonefall. Her book about those lives will be published soon.

Kate presented Harrogate Mayor Chris Aldred with a Pounamu Koru. A gift from the Mayor of Wellington. Harrogate is twinned with Wellington. In Māori culture it represents life, growth, harmony and renewal.
Harrogate Town Council fans