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Original poster

Anyone a member of WI?

27 replies

scurryfunger · 30/12/2021 14:26

I'm thinking of joining a Womens Institute group, can anyone tell me more about what to expect and if they are suitable for women in their 40's? Just wanting to meet new people really, any alternatives?

OP posts:
Harpydragon · 30/12/2021 14:29

I was in one, sadly it closed because of covid but people framed in age from early 20' ask the way up to 70's. It was great fun different thing s from yoga to wreath making, bee keeping and Indian cooking. It was fabulous and I'm sad it closed. I'm now looking for a new group. A great way to meet new people and try new things

Kind0fABigDeal · 30/12/2021 14:29

I'm interested too!

itwasntaparty · 30/12/2021 14:33

I have friends in WI and they love it, it's a bit like brownies for grown ups. Give it a go!

Original poster
scurryfunger · 30/12/2021 14:46

@Harpydragon

I was in one, sadly it closed because of covid but people framed in age from early 20' ask the way up to 70's. It was great fun different thing s from yoga to wreath making, bee keeping and Indian cooking. It was fabulous and I'm sad it closed. I'm now looking for a new group. A great way to meet new people and try new things
Oh wow this sounds fantastic! I'm sold @harpydragon. I'm definitely going to sign up! I thought it might be for an older generation but if it's a mix of many like you say then that would be lovely! There's a few in my area, I guess trying out which is the best fit would be the way to go.
OP posts:
Original poster
scurryfunger · 30/12/2021 14:47

@itwasntaparty

I have friends in WI and they love it, it's a bit like brownies for grown ups. Give it a go!
I loved Brownies! I definitely need a Brownies group for grown ups in my life Grin!
OP posts:
CaptainCarp · 30/12/2021 14:52

My mum is in 1 hers was mostly 50+ with a larger sway towards the retiree end. They had a few younger 1s but the whole area is lived in by majority 45+ & of the younger couples most work full time out of area.

I really wanted to join becuase they did loads of different activities but i wasn't around a lot of the time!

TheVolturi · 30/12/2021 14:56

Sounds really good!

Lacedwithgrace · 30/12/2021 14:58

I'm 27 and was in a group before covid, we had all ages from a 20 year old to a 93 year old! I only left because some older members were very political and offensive and the group was starting to split. I've been invited to a younger group now which might be safer

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 30/12/2021 14:59

I was on the verge of joining. Sent back my membership form, logged on to online banking to pay my 'subs'. Bank account not recognised. Emailed the 2 contacts I had (only emailed the 2nd when the 1st didn't reply). No reply. Emailed again. Still no reply.
So fuck 'em. They obviously don't care if if I join or not (why would they really) but its a bit rude.

PurBal · 30/12/2021 15:01

I was in one in my twenties (I’m early thirties now) but I moved and the local one meets during the daytime (I work) and is solely retired people

FlatterNow · 30/12/2021 15:01

I'm in my mid 40s and in one - I am towards the younger end but there are people younger than me. There are a lot of groups about and you can generally look at their Facebook pages or websites to get an idea of the kinds of things they do.

MeredithMae · 31/12/2021 19:27

I'm going to join this year. I'm super nervous at the thought of walking in by myself and really hoping they'll be friendly and welcoming! Wish I had someone who would come with me Blush

Somethingsnappy · 31/12/2021 20:13

I'm thinking of joining!

LawnFever · 31/12/2021 20:17

@itwasntaparty

I have friends in WI and they love it, it's a bit like brownies for grown ups. Give it a go!
Yes I agree I often say it’s like guides for grown ups Grin

I’ve been a member of the WI since my early 30s, I love it and I’ve made loads of new friends through it.

All groups are different- ours is a real mix of ages, from mid 20s - 60s and we have so many different activities.

I’d definitely say try a couple of groups out, unless you’re lucky like me and the first one ‘fits’.

LawnFever · 31/12/2021 20:19

@MeredithMae

I'm going to join this year. I'm super nervous at the thought of walking in by myself and really hoping they'll be friendly and welcoming! Wish I had someone who would come with me Blush
I first went to mine completely on my own, I’ve been a member for years now & I’ve met loads of people but everyone is always really friendly to new people joining Smile
LawnFever · 31/12/2021 20:21

@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur

I was on the verge of joining. Sent back my membership form, logged on to online banking to pay my 'subs'. Bank account not recognised. Emailed the 2 contacts I had (only emailed the 2nd when the 1st didn't reply). No reply. Emailed again. Still no reply. So fuck 'em. They obviously don't care if if I join or not (why would they really) but its a bit rude.
Maybe that group isn’t operating any more?

Every group is run totally by volunteers, and many sadly closed during the pandemic, for all sorts of reasons.

If you’re interested in joining look and see if there’s another group near you.

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 31/12/2021 20:30

@LawnFever I suppose they could have closed, but this was during the pandemic and they have loads of members. It's a very active group. Plus I tried to pay the subs the day after I attended a meeting (free trial) so unless they folded overnight I don't think that's the case.

LawnFever · 31/12/2021 21:29

@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur oh no! Fair enough, weird!

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 31/12/2021 21:40

Not a member, but I gave my first ever 'proper' talk to a WI group a few years ago, and they were utterly LOVELY. I had no idea how active they are in womens rights, education, etc. and what an incredibly supportive environment they seemed to have. Obviously it'll vary from group to group, but since then I've done a few more talks for other WI groups and not found a bad one yet.

There's definitely a tendency for the group to be made up of older women, but not always. If that first group wasn't 200 miles away from where I live, I'd have joined them like a shot, even though I would have been the youngest by about 30yrs!

Toddlerteaplease · 31/12/2021 21:44

I've been a member for a couple of years. My group is huge but only meets once a month. Many of them are school mums so it does feel a bit clique. Though that maybe because I don't actually live in their area. We do some good things. But I'm not sure if I'll renew again. Or try a different branch. I have not got what I hoped I'd get out if it.

NOTANUM · 31/12/2021 21:53

I’ve just looked and there are almost no WI groups in urban areas. The nearest is over 5 miles away which is impossible on public transport and not close even by car.

Is this mostly a rural thing? A relative is in one but she’s in the deep countryside and there are TWO in her village.

TalesOfDrunkennessAndCruelty · 31/12/2021 22:00

There are several WI groups in my very urban area. My group continued to meet over Zoom during lockdown, but I don't know how all the other groups fared.

PaperMonster · 31/12/2021 22:05

I’m in one - I joined in my early 40s and newly pregnant. Been a member for ten years. Love the talks! Met loads of fab women!

Glenthebattleostrich · 31/12/2021 22:06

Thanks for this thread. I have just emailed my local group to join! Wish me luck

DerAlteMann · 31/12/2021 22:12

I'm not a WI member (being a bloke) but I give talks to WIs throughout the south of England and all those I have spoken to seem to be very friendly and when there have been new members at the meeting they are welcomed and introduced and not just left to get on with it. In ages the groups I have spoken to range from mid 20s to well over 70s with the older ages being in groups that meet in the mornings or afternoons, fairly obviously. My neighbour is a WI member, but not at our local branch. She said she found she fitted in better with one a few miles away so goes there. Maybe you have to try a few to find one that suits you best.