Soroptimist International Winchester has delivered £800 and essential goods to three local charities in the past six months, marking a year of intensified community impact. The donations—£200 each to Trinity Services, the Women’s Refuge managed by STOP Domestic Abuse, and £100 to Winchester Beacon—follow a relentless schedule of fundraising events across the city. Tuesday’s disbursement brings the club’s total contributions since September to £800, alongside winter coats for the Winchester women’s and girls’ rugby teams and ongoing support for the Lend with Care Microfinance programme.
Julie Blackwell, treasurer of the Winchester branch, confirmed the latest round of funding during a meeting with Danny Chambers MP on 21 March at the club’s Ladies Lunch. ‘We prioritise transparency and direct impact,’ Blackwell said. ‘Every penny raised goes straight into services that protect vulnerable women and girls or invest in their futures.’ The event also featured discussions on expanding domestic abuse campaigns with Winchester City Council, leveraging both the club’s £500+ donation from Rick Stein Winchester Pudding sales and Tesco Winnall’s International Women’s Day fundraiser.
📋 By The Numbers
- £500+ — Donated by Rick Stein Winchester Pudding sales over four weeks
- 64 — Free arts workshops funded by Winchester Beacon since February
- 25 — Coats donated to Winchester women’s and girls’ rugby teams for the 2024-25 season
The club’s fundraising strategy blends high-profile partnerships with grassroots engagement. Tesco Winnall’s store on Winnall Road hosted a weekend pop-up stall during International Women’s Day, raising £320 in under 48 hours. Meanwhile, the group secured a pitch at Winchester City Council’s monthly car boot sale, generating an additional £180. Blackwell stressed the importance of these collaborations: ‘Our strength lies in community networks—local businesses like Tesco and Rick Stein don’t just donate; they amplify our reach.’
| Fundraising Source | Amount Raised | Beneficiary |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco Winnall | £320 | Trinity Services |
| Rick Stein Winchester Pudding | £500+ | STOP Domestic Abuse |
| Winchester City Council Car Boot Sale | £180 | Winchester Beacon |
| Winter Coat Drive | 25 coats | Winchester Rugby Teams |
Beyond immediate grants, Soroptimist International Winchester embeds long-term support through international initiatives like Lend with Care Microfinance, where members facilitate small business loans for women in developing nations. The club’s global affiliation—under the UN consultative status—also positions it to influence policy discussions on gender equity. ‘We’re not just writing cheques,’ Blackwell said. ‘We’re building systems that last.’
Key Points
- ✅ £800 distributed to Trinity Services, STOP Domestic Abuse, and Winchester Beacon since September 2024
- ⚡ Partnerships with Tesco Winnall, Rick Stein, and Winchester City Council amplified fundraising efforts
- 💡 25 winter coats provided to local rugby teams; 64 free arts workshops funded via Winchester Beacon
For those seeking to join or contribute, the club welcomes new members year-round and accepts donations via its official channels. ‘Change starts with conversation,’ Blackwell said. ‘Join us, and let’s turn talk into tangible progress.’ The next general meeting is scheduled for 15 June at the Winchester Guildhall, open to all residents interested in gender equity and social justice.
💡 Pro Tip
Local businesses looking to support women’s causes should align with established networks like Soroptimist International Winchester. Their track record shows that sustained partnerships—even small ones—yield outsized community benefits.
Soroptimist International, founded in 1921, operates in 120+ countries and has consultative status at the United Nations. The Winchester branch remains one of the UK’s most active, with members ranging from educators to entrepreneurs. While the club focuses on local impact, its global ties enable advocacy on issues like gender-based violence and economic inequality. ‘We measure success by the lives we touch,’ Blackwell added, ‘not the headlines we generate.’
- 📊 120+ countries — Global reach of Soroptimist International
- 🔍 1921 — Year the organisation was founded
- ⚠️ Membership remains open; no prior experience required