- Dec 19, 2025
In The Press: Fresh Thoughts Booklet Praised in UK Parliament and a Milestone for Soroptimist International
- Georgie @ Fresh Thoughts
- Press
- 0 comments
We are delighted to share that on the 18th December 2025 we received a landmark moment for our initiative, the Fresh Thoughts booklet where it was officially championed in the UK Parliament! This recognition marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide essential domestic abuse support and resources for front-line workers across England and Wales.
A Voice for Change in the House of Commons
The programme was officially brought to the floor by John Glen, MP for Salisbury, who highlighted the impactful work of the Salisbury Soroptimists.
Addressing the Chamber, Mr Glen stated:
"I welcome the publication of the strategy, and acknowledge the Minister’s commitment over many years to get to this point—this must be a great moment for her. A few weeks ago, I visited Salisbury Soroptimists, who published “Fresh Thoughts”, a document taken from Dorset and customised for Wiltshire to give information and support for women fleeing domestic abuse, through close working with Wiltshire police, Wiltshire council and the end violence against women and girls campaign in Wiltshire. After I go back and tell them about this strategy, how best can they engage with it to build on the work that the Minister has set out?"
By sharing this success story in Parliament, Mr Glen showcased how a local club can effectively adapt a proven model, in this case, our original Dorset initiative, to create a customised resource for Wiltshire specifically designed to assist women and girls in crisis.
He particularly emphasised the multi-agency collaboration that makes Fresh Thoughts so effective, including:
Wiltshire Police
Wiltshire Council
Local End Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) campaigns
By working closely with these organisations, the programme ensures that front-line workers have the exact localised information they need to protect those in crisis, bridging the gap between national strategy and local action.
"They Can Change Government Policy"
In a powerful response, Jess Phillips MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, paid tribute to the wider Soroptimist International network.
Addressing the impact of volunteer-led programmes, the Minister stated:
"As I have said, the strategy will live and die on whether everybody takes part in it. The right hon. Gentleman has given me the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to Soroptimists from all over the country. Some of the work that appears in the strategy—specialist advocates for rape victims in courts, for example—started because of volunteer programmes run by Soroptimists in parts of the country. I want to give them the confidence that they can change Government policy, and they can work through the right hon. Gentleman’s good offices to reach out to me. They do amazing work in their local communities."
This high-level endorsement reinforces what we have always known: local action by dedicated volunteers can drive national change. The Fresh Thoughts strategy is built on this very principle, empowering clubs to provide practical, life-saving information at a grassroots level.
What This Means for the Fresh Thoughts Programme
Parliamentary recognition validates the hard work of our small team and the efficacy of the booklet as a vital resource for front-line workers. It highlights the success of our "easily adaptable" model, which allows a core framework to be tailored to specific local needs, whether in Dorset, Wiltshire, or beyond.
As we continue our rollout across England and Wales, this mention in the House of Commons provides the momentum needed to reach even more communities and support even more women in need.
Join the Collaboration
Are you a member of a Soroptimist International club looking to make a difference? Or a front-line professional seeking better support resources?
The Fresh Thoughts Club Portal is now open for authorised clubs to access localised booklets, share best practice, and download exclusive resources.
A Heartfelt Thank You
This recognition in Parliament is a testament to the power of our collective voice and the dedication of our volunteers. As we look back on this milestone and the progress we have made, we want to say a huge thank you for your support this year!
Together, we are changing lives and influencing policy at the highest levels. To everyone in the Fresh Thoughts community: thank you for your unwavering support and for your commitment to protecting women and girls!