Is anyone a member of the WI?

[listsandbudgets]

What's it really like?

Are they as they appear to be on the outside a group of upper middle class, middle aged cake making enthusiasts or is there a lot more to it? I've been asked by a friend to join but she's being a bit "vague"... it's hardly the Masons so was hoping for a bit more by asking here?

what do they do? What are the meetings like? Is it friendly and welcoming? Anything else??

When I moved to the UK 22yrs ago, I saw a news programme about the WI and a progressive group in North London who were doing pole dancing, hanging yoga and all manner of activities. I'd never heard of the WI before, so assumed all groups do similar.

A few months later, with my English MIL, we were at a country fayre type thing with a WI stand. The average age of the ladies was about 80, but I assumed the younger ones just weren't there that day. I asked if they too did pole dancing. They all looked quite aghast and in a head mistress tone said 'we most certainly do NOT!' I was 24 at the time, and decided that particular branch wasn't the best for me! 😊

Me too.

I'm in the WI it's a bit like mumsnet demographics socially.
but it's made up from women who have time in their hands after family and career .
The group I'm in is mainly retired professionals . With adult or no children.

I'd like to know how to get rid of the men who are joining. I think I'll leave if one joins any of the groups I'm in,

My WI supports a woman's refuge, with fundraising

We have a newish group here, started about a year ago. Good mix of ages and interests...groups usually meet once a month so its not too much of a commitment.

@CJ0374

I really like the sound of North London WI group too,
if i didn't have any health issues and i was living nearby at that neck of woods i think,
i would have been quite tempted to join up too 🤣

I think it could have been that particular one i heard about too, in the media that was definitely quite very progressive ect..

I liked your post too about how at a Country fayre one WI member was clutching her pearl necklace reaction 😆 to your question

I wonder if it's still going 🤔 the North London and is still like that then too?

I've been a member for a while. It's a huge group, and only meets monthly. So I've not really made any friends through it. It's based about 4 miles from
Me so I don't feel part of it for that reason. It's mainly school
Mums who know each other. They do some good activities.

I really want to join U3A, but I'm too young.

I've spoken to a number of WIs over the years and while some tended to be 60+ there are still a good number of younger members. They all seem keen alert and by no means all "Jam and Jerusalem".

Go along to one as a guest, if you can. I thought them the best fun of all the groups I spoke to.

I was a member in the late 1980s and it was nothing like your description then. Sure some might be but there is usually a choice of groups to try. I rejoined in 2015 but resigned several years later over their stance on gender. That group was too big to get to know anyone. Smaller village ones are good.

£48 for the year and it covers all meetings

I vaguely think the North London branch was around Islington somewhere!

I found this from a Devon branch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-20493792

I'm secretary of mine, in SW London, not much jam and zero Jerusalem at ours. We met last night and had gin tasting with Pernod Ricard, next month is a talk from a charity who support women who have been victims of FGM. I'm in my early 40s and I'd say I'm one of the oldest although there's a few retirees as well. We meet in the cocktail bar of a local pub, drink a lot of wine, have a book club, craft club and supper club and support our local women's refuge. The WI campaigns nationally on important issues like Keep Britain Tidy and Care Not Custody. I've made so many great friends over the years and I love it.

The WI is more than occasionally politically aware, they are a campaigning group. Every year they vote on which resolutions to support, anyone can suggest one. The WI are responsible for the Keep Britain Tidy campaign among other things.

The resolutions or campaigns are usually women focussed and are intended for change.

Op on the link I posted I had some responses from others that recommended different groups too such as Ladies circle (up to age 45) and Tangent (for after ladies circle) so if it’s younger groups people are after, they might be worth looking at, along with Inner Wheel and Soroptimists (though definitely for more older members in my area).