Welcome to West Midlands Federation
Welcome to the West Midlands Federation
Here in the West Midlands, all our WIs offer a very warm welcome and we would be delighted for you to join us. Wherever you live in the county there is a WI near to you waiting for you to become a member of this amazing organisation.
The Women’s Institute opens up so many opportunities for you to make new friends and widen your social circle with a group of like-minded women.
You will be able to learn new skills, further your leisure interests and through the WI Campaigns contribute in some way to conserving the world in which we live and improving the lives of so many women.
All members of the WI are part of a nationwide organisation of women who aim to inspire and be inspired and you could become one of them.
WI meetings give you the opportunity to meet on a regular basis, take part in activities, listen to speakers, enjoy educational visits and explore places of interest.
Nationally we also campaign on current issues and vote for Resolutions that affect women and the greater population. These include climate change, women’s health and wellbeing, wildlife issues, social and community welfare.
Set up as an educational organisation there is a revival of interest in crafts, cookery, gardening and homemaking. Wellbeing activities such as walking groups and walking netball are enjoyed by many members. Several WIs hold knit and natter meetings, lunch groups, book clubs and quizzes to encourage socialisation and to help alleviate loneliness.
At monthly meetings our WIs book a wide range of educational and interesting speakers covering a variety of topics and interests.
Each of our WIs is very individual but all follow the values of the Womens Institute Vision. That vision is to create a world where women come together to learn, share new skills and work together to become active citizens, influencing change to improve lives in their local, national and global communities. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of all WI meetings.
You are very welcome to attend more than one meeting before choosing the WI that suits you best. There are morning, afternoon and evening meetings and even a Sunday afternoon. Zoom has been embraced as a way of staying connected and sometimes is used alongside monthly meetings to enable distanced members to keep in touch. Several WIs use Facebook and WhatsApp as another way to keep in contact with members.
West Midlands Federation issue a monthly Newsletter which goes out electronically or by post to all members. This informs members of what is happening within the Federation, upcoming events and enables members to post photographs of what has been happening at their meetings.
Members are as diverse as our Institutes: young women, mothers, working women, busy professionals, grandmothers and retirees all with different expectations from theirmembership.
If you have often wondered what being a member of the Women's Institute entails then why not contact us and find out more. Whatever your interests there will be a WI near to you just wating for you to join them.
Cathryn Marsh
Chair, West Midlands Federation.
