Our ‘inspiring communities’ strategy has enabled us to work in close partnership with four amazing charities that are local to our base in Birmingham.
It’s not only allowed us to witness first hand the incredible services that SIFA Fireside, First Class Foundation, Edward’s Trust and Birmingham Children’s Trust provide to their local communities; it’s also given us the opportunity to get involved too.
And now we want to do even more.
As a global organisation that works with people and organisations worldwide, we’ve been exploring ways that we can support good causes further afield.
Take Soroptimist International, a global volunteer movement that advocates for human rights and gender equality.
We’ve been learning more about the organisation through Marian Ellens, who is not only an OTD coach, but president of the Dutch Arm of Soroptimist International.
Through Marian’s support, we’ve been able to make a difference to the lives of Salida and Malia, two young women who are embarking on a new life in the Netherlands, having fled Syria and Afghanistan respectively.
A donation has funded the purchase of new flooring, beds and a fridge for Salida and Malia, which is hopefully just the beginning of a better life ahead.
Marian said: “We’re protecting, supporting and trying to empower Salida and Malia as soon as possible. At the moment we’re helping them to learn the Dutch language but they have so much to learn, even the traffic laws are different!
“It’s a very tough beginning. You come here, you’re homesick and you start with a debt. We are trying to give our women a better chance to establish a life in a new Dutch world and it will take time to gain their trust after what they have experienced.”
Earlier this year, Marian’s organisation celebrated its 90th anniversary; that’s 90 years of professional women helping to bring about gender equality, healthcare, safety and opportunities to other females.
Passionate and energetic, Marian is determined to ensure that her group is ready to meet the challenges of the next 90 years.
“We really want to attract lots of younger women to join the community and to modernise the club,” she said. “I don’t believe that contributions are made on paper, it’s about what we do and not what we say. Together we can really contribute to improving the position of girls and women worldwide.”
Maybe you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read? Here’s how to find out more: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/
In Brief: A huge ‘thank you’ to those that joined our recent coach forum, where we enjoyed a special introduction to Edward’s Trust given by the charity’s Lucy Goodway. Thanks to your incredible generosity, a sum of £520.00 has been donated to the Trust which will help children and families facing bereavement.