Soroptimist SIGBI

15/06/2026

This Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Soroptimists are standing up for women's health.

Cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer by detecting changes early, before they become serious. If you've been invited, please book your appointment and encourage the women in your life to do the same.

Together, we can raise awareness, break down barriers and help save lives.

Find out more about our work sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-work/health/cervicalcancer.

12/06/2026

Save the date for the Soroptimist International AGM 2026.

Join us online via Zoom on Saturday 11 July 2026 at 09:00 BST for updates on Soroptimist International’s work during 2025.

The session will run for approximately two hours, and registration is required in advance.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lUI9acMTRSmrp9pWede7vA

10/06/2026

Do you ever worry that your children or grandchildren might be in an unhealthy relationship?

Every young person deserves a relationship built on respect, trust and safety — free from abuse. Talking openly about what’s healthy, reasonable and acceptable is one of the most effective ways to prevent harm before it starts.

Simple tools can help start those conversations. Resources like the Loves Me/ Loves Me Not bookmarks, shared by many Soroptimist clubs in their communities, have become powerful conversation starters for young people and families alike.

Women's Aid has also produced some excellent information on healthy relationships https://shorturl.at/dz4QR.

Soroptimists continue to take action to improve women’s safety in our communities.

Learn more about our work: sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-work/womens-safety.

10/06/2026

With only 10% of stations staffed at all times – and just over half (55%) offering any visible security – it’s clear that safety at railway stations is still not being taken seriously.

Our newly published Railway Station Safety Survey exposes significant gaps in safety and security across the UK rail network, putting many at risk – particularly women and girls.

Today, our President, Gillie O'Rourke , shared these findings on ITV News, highlighting the stark reality, what must change, and SIGBI’s recommendations for rail operators across the country.

📺 Catch up on today’s broadcast here: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/watch-wednesdays-lunchtime-news-as-the-pm-calls-for-calm-and-order-after-belfast-disorder/gktz1xf

🔗 Read the report here: https://sigbi.org/railwaysurvey

10/06/2026

More than half of UK train stations are still failing on basic safety measures.

Our recent investigation – the Railway Station Safety Survey – has revealed:
🚫 55% lack visible security.
🚫 Only 1 in 10 are staffed at all times.
🚫 1/3 have no emergency help point.
🚫 Poorly lit and isolated car parks remain common.

“These key measures, which can help women feel more secure, remain inconsistent, patchy and mixed at best. This leaves women increasingly vulnerable when travelling by train,” says Soroptimist SIGBI President Gillie O'Rourke.

SIGBI’s Programme Director, Lindsay Green,added: “Our goal is to stand up for women and girls, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and representation. The relaunch of our railway safety project has been key in advancing this important issue and bringing it to the forefront of policy makers’ agendas.”

🔗 Read our official press release here: sigbi.org/2026/more-than-half-of-uk-train-stations-are-still-failing-on-basic-safety-measures

📖 Read our report here: sigbi.org/railwaysurvey

10/06/2026

🚨Calling all Soroptimist SIGBI members – we’re on Good Morning Britain today!

Following the relaunch of our Railway Station Safety Survey, the findings were shared LIVE on GMB this morning as we prepare to publish the full report online from 10am onwards.

We couldn’t be prouder to see decades of work reaching a national audience and helping raise vital awareness about making rail travel safer for women and girls.

The report provides an in-depth look at safety at railway stations across the UK – highlighting what has improved and, crucially, what still needs to change since our original Future of the Railways investigation in 1996.

It also sets out clear recommendations for rail operators, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail and Road on the action needed next.

A huge thank you to our Programme Director Lindsay Green for leading on collating the results, and to every SIGBI member who contributed, whether in 1996 or today. Your commitment continues to drive real change.

📺 Watch GMB here (featured in 6am/7am news): https://www.itv.com/watch/good-morning-britain/2a3211

🔗 Learn more about the Relaunch of the Railway Station Safety Survey here: https://sigbi.org/2024/railway-safety-project/

More updates will be shared throughout the day – please keep an eye on our channels.

05/06/2026

Women are at the forefront of climate action — and when they lead, communities thrive.

This World Environment Day, we’re celebrating how women and girls are driving sustainable change through education, advocacy and community action.

Find out more sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-work/climate-action

05/06/2026

This World Environment Day, let’s recognise and support women leading the way in sustainability.

From local projects to global impact, women and girls are building greener, more resilient communities.

To mark our centenary, Soroptimists planted over 100,000 trees — a lasting contribution to a greener future. 🌱

Read our blog sigbi.org/2026/world-environment-day-2.

04/06/2026

Soroptimist SIGBI South East President Dr Roxanne St Clair recently spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about an exciting new partnership with South Eastern Railway to improve confidence for female passengers in .

This summer, the club will establish their community-led forum with the railway company, where the focus will be on improving safety and confidence for women and girls using rail services.
Roxanne said: “This is about listening, learning and working together to create a railway where everyone feels safe, supported and able to travel with confidence.”

🔗Read the full article here: https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/kent/news/womens-charity-partners-southeastern-railway-safety-forum-kent

With crimes against women and girls on UK railways rising by more than 50%...

03/06/2026

HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR CONFERENCE PLACE?

Registration for the Soroptimist Cardiff 2026 Conference is OPEN.

Book your ticket here thehub.sigbi.org/events.

Further information about the conference and what to do in Cardiff is on the conference website: sigbi.org/cardiff2026.