WHEN Soroptimist International of Bolton women’s service group was founded the Second World War was imminent.

Now, the organisation is celebrating its 80th birthday and received congratulations from the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, at Bolton Town Hall.

Bolton Soroptimists – the name comes from Latin “soror” meaning sister or woman and “optima” meaning best so to give the best for women – is part of an international movement with 75,000 members in 122 countries, founded in 1921.

Bolton Soroptimists support local projects and also have an international programme with Action Focus Areas on modern day slavery and trafficking, child sexual exploitation, FGM, domestic violence, forced marriage and gender equality.

For many years they have supported a group of girls in Nepal to facilitate their education. The Bolton members continue to support them as they rebuild their lives following the earthquake of 2015. Bolton Soroptimists also support the Meru Women’s Garden Project in Kenya to create sustainable gardening techniques and provide tools.

Closer to home, Bolton Soroptimists are involved with Urban Outreach, Bolton Newstalk, Salford’s Talking News, Mums and Toddlers at the Hope Centre, The Destitution Project, Bolton Hospice, Bolton women’s refuge and Bolton City of Sanctuary. President Maureen Barber said: “We are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities worldwide.”

* For more information on Bolton Soroptimists go to https://sigbi.org/bolton/