THE FYLDE CLUB and PROGRAMME ACTION
The Fylde Club has been in existence for over 70 years and has a very active programme including fund-raising, service work and social events.
Fylde Club has a vibrant and enthusiastic attitude to Programme Action - which is the service and fund-raising arm of Soroptimism. We support a number of long-term and annual projects, as well as “one off” activities to raise awareness of differing problems, both local and global. We support Life Education, the Contact Centre, Traidcraft and Fair Trade, the local Womens’ Refuge and Trinity Hospice, and we sponsor the education of a number of children in Third World countries.
The Club has a particular interest in health and environmental matters. We are currently supporting a scheme which will promote walking and outdoor exercise and are always looking at environmental issues locally to see where we can assist or raise awareness. The photo above shows members Michelle Smith, Linda Beddows and Sue Smith taking part in the Illumathon - a 14 mile walk for Trinity Hospice.
We hold pamper days (with therapies and relaxation) for carers which are arranged in conjunction with Carers’ Point!
We have recently raised funds to help supply a roundabout playpump which will provide water to the village of Watamu in Kenya - the water is pumped into the village as children play on the roundabout! The photo below shows members and partners enjoying a fundraising Ceilidh. The pump will ensure clean water supplies which will release the children and women in order that they may enjoy a more positive role and, in the case of the children, a good education. The Watamu link came from a project undertaken by Sue Hayward, a friend of SI Fylde. (For information on the Happy House project in Watamu see http://www.childrenofwatamu.net/)
During the course of the year, we aim to be involved in other events linked to the United Nations’ Observance Days, in particular the International Day of Peace (in September) and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
We also work on a joint projects with other Clubs to raise awareness about the importance of various issues. For example, the Club joined with other clubs in the Region to donate bras to be sent to Cyprus for the longest chain of bras to be created for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records - this was to help raise awareness of Breast Cancer.
Members of SI Fylde attend our local Child Contact on a six weekly rota as volunteers to man the centre. This involves signing in families, providing a friendly place to meet with drinks and snacks and toys/games for parents to interact with their childr
SI Fylde support the local refuge by supplying toiletries and starter packs for the Ladies together with ladies and childrens clothes and toys. Also fundraising as and when necessary to help provide other items.
Members of SI Fylde promote Fair Trade during Fair Trade Fortnight in March by assisting with a Fair Trade Stall at the local Farmers’ Market and by using Fair Trade products in their own Clubroom.
Regionally we support the “Purple Teardrop” Campaign which raises awareness about Human Trafficking and we actively support all activities which aim to support Women in Crisis.
At an international level, SI Fylde support Project Sierra, the quadrennial appeal which supports Hope and Homes for Children in Sierra Leone.