A WOMEN’S group has celebrated a year of extraordinary community work – from helping domestic abuse survivors to collecting thousands of bras for women in Africa.

Members of Salisbury Soroptimists gathered at their recent AGM to welcome new president Liz Batten, who takes over the role from Michele Smith.

But while the changing of the Chain of Office marked a new chapter for the organisation, the evening also shone a spotlight on the huge impact the group has quietly been making across Salisbury and beyond.

Among the club’s achievements over the past year were collecting more than 5,500 bras to send to Africa, supporting Salisbury Women’s Refuge, fundraising for charity and campaigning to tackle violence against women and girls.

The group also produced Fresh Thoughts, a booklet designed to help people fleeing domestic abuse, while another guide is being developed to support autistic women.

Closer to home, members have also been working to make Salisbury feel safer by carrying out street lighting audits and promoting the Ask for Angela safety scheme in venues across the city.

Thank you Michele!

New president Liz has been a Soroptimist for more than 40 years and previously served as president of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, which has thousands of members across 20 countries.

As she begins her new term, Liz says her focus will be ‘Words into Action’ – strengthening projects already underway while encouraging more women to get involved.

Salisbury Soroptimists meet on the fourth Thursday of every month at Salisbury Baptist Church Hall, with informal coffee mornings also taking place monthly at Salisbury Museum Café.

The group says anyone interested in supporting women and girls locally and around the world is welcome to come along and find out more.

More information about Soroptimist International and local groups can be found online.