Earlier this month, the charity – which has consultancy status at the United Nations – held its 90th conference at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.

It used this occasion to share its annual Best Practice Awards, which celebrates the project work of its members – known as Soroptimists – and showcases a dedication to improving the lives of women and girls around the world.

Ruth Healey, president of SIGBI, said: “Our 90th Conference provided a great milestone in which to look back and take in the work of Soroptimists over the last 90 years, but we were keen to celebrate the work of Soroptimists right now too.

“I would like to extend many congratulations and thanks to, not only our nine shortlisted applicants, but to all those who entered their projects into our 2024 Best Practice Awards.

“The goal of all our projects is to stand up for women and girls, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and representation.

“We’re so proud of the work our members continue to do, and the applications received truly demonstrated the breadth and depth of projects being undertaken by Soroptimists throughout the Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland Federation.”

Over 100 projects were submitted to the award process, showcasing the work of 248 clubs and 5,150 members – throughout the UK, Ireland, Malta, Asia and the Caribbean.

The categories shone a light on the wider themes of the 90th conference – educate, empower and enable – along with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Out of the nine projects that were shortlisted, four were from UK clubs, including the Delegate Choice Award Winner from the charity’s Poole, Purbeck and District club, based in Dorset.

An initial response to questions received from survivors in a women’s refuge, a full-scale booklet designed and written by the club in Poole, is now a practical tool – and solution –  in support of the Government’s agenda to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls.

The booklet, now named ‘Fresh Thoughts’, is transforming lives by providing accurate local information relevant to the needs of domestic abuse victims.

It provides information for women who are fleeing domestic abuse about online personal safety, going to court, financial assistance, housing advice and the contact details of support agencies.

Caroline Foster JP, from SIGBI’s Poole, Purbeck and District club, said: “Over the years, we have regularly supported our local women’s refuge as a club. We realised through discussions with victims that they had little information on what would happen next in their situations, particularly in relation to the legal aspects of their cases.

“We developed the content in collaboration with our local authorities, Citizen’s Advice and the Domestic Abuse Forum, and, after producing a bid to our local Police and Crime Commissioner, have received funding for printing the booklet locally.”

The Club had several thousand booklets printed and held a launch event, with guest speakers – these included David Sidwick, Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Tomlinson KC, MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole, and Colin Weston, High Sherriff of Dorset.

About 60 people attended the launch, and approximately 1,200 booklets were distributed.

Jackie Farquharson, a safe house manager, said: “A survivor we’re in contact with told us they wished they’d had this booklet when they were in an abusive relationship.

“Now, the booklet is being widely used by professionals across our region, and as a training tool within our local advice services.”

Ruth added: “The professional content of the booklet has strengthened many working relationships between our Soroptimists, the local authorities, primary care hubs and local charities providing domestic abuse services.

“The booklet continues to showcase Soroptimists’ efforts to provide practical support and solutions, to improve the lives of women and girls, not just in Poole and Dorset locally, but everywhere.”

‘Fresh Thoughts’ is now being picked up by other clubs and organisations nationally.

The other UK winners of the Best Practice Awards included:

• Public speaking in King’s Lynn – A year 6 public speaking competition providing local students with a chance to learn and showcase their public speaking skills.
• Supporting migrant women in Canterbury – The club has been supporting migrant women in the area with their spoken language skills, through going for walks, chatting and allowing the women to practice their learnings from local college English classes.
• Social action in Sheffield – ‘Healthy Hampers’ donated to women’s refuges and Winn Garden, an economically challenged and very diverse estate in the city, which houses many asylum seekers and women escaping domestic violence. 

Ruth concluded: “Our Best Practice Awards reinforce that it’s only by working together that we can empower women and girls to achieve their full potential and eliminate barriers and discriminations that hinder women’s progress.”

SIGBI is a membership organisation which focuses on empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential. Get involved now: https://sigbi.org/

The Scottish Housing News Charity Spotlight feature highlights the vital work of charities across Scotland each Friday. To include your local charity, whether housing-related or not, send your story and images to us at newsdesk@scottishnews.com.