At the AGM of Tenby and District Soroptimist international held in April at the Giltar Hotel, incoming President, Pam Maggs received the chain of office from outgoing President Margaret Harries. Members enjoyed a delicious supper following the proceedings.

Her aim as president this year is to help members to gain a better understanding of mental health and well being issues affecting children and adolescents. The first two speakers focused on school and college students, which created a lively discussion and insight into the help available to young people.

To commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee several members would be taking part in the club’s sponsored walk. The aim is to walk seventy miles and to raise £70.

Money raised through sponsorship will help to provide water filters to be used in areas where clean water is not yet available. The filters are purchased and installed by the Water Bearers Charity.

The Jubilee Celebration Tea is to be held in Carmarthen in July. This will follow a tour led by the Rev Dr Mary Thorley, of the homes of prominent local women in history.

The Club’s current ongoing Programme Action project, which was started earlier this year, is the gifting of Brave Bear books to 12 primary schools in our area.

The book deals with difficult and sometimes dangerous situations that can directly affect young children. Invisible trafficking is a symptom of modern day slavery and children are often unaware of the dangers involved.

Initiated by the Brave Bear Trust this is a story for debate and discussion by pupils and teachers together. One local school has already set up a discussion group with their pupils to explore this problem, and the Club is looking forward to joining one of their sessions in the very near future.

Several members are already actively involved in the anti-slavery and human trafficking campaign and represent Soroptimists as members of the Wales Anti-Slavery Leadership Group.

The Club is pleased to have welcomed three new members into our club this year, Julie, Jan and Henrietta.

“I very much hope they will enjoy being a Soroptimist as we work towards enhancing the lives of women and children,” said Pam.

After the summer break in August the Club starts the new session in September with a speaker from BAWSO, a charity that was set up to help women and girls in disadvantaged situations. Further speakers are booked for the winter period.

Other ongoing projects include: knitting and providing comfort bears; collecting and providing much needed goods for a local women’s refuge; collecting items not easily recycled which are then made into something useful; Smalls for All Campaign; tree planting; annual donation to PATCH; annual sale of cards from Hope and Home; Lemon Tree Trust – providing seeds for women in disadvantaged areas to create their own produce gardens; annual donation Water Aid; Blankets for Ukraine and Syria.

In November the Club is holding a Festival of Puddings (mini puddings both savoury and sweet) this is a fun evening and everyone is welcome. Tickets will be available in September.