To join the WI?

[NoShelfElf]

I'm not yet 40. I know my local sect (?!!!) is mostly older ladies. I don't anticipate being able to go to the majority of their meetings, but probably would make some and I think the online courses and magazines might be useful. Is anyone a member already and recommend it? Or other experiences? Am I old before my time????

Go along as a guest one evening (it will cost you about £3-4) and see how it feels. Then make your decision :)

Lots of w.i's have younger memberships. You won't be the only younger woman joining up although I appreciate they might be older in your particular group. I was a member briefly a few years ago and it was good. Not brilliant but it varies between groups anyway

The groups vary. My mother runs one and loves it. She recruits ladies to go in the street/co op/you get the idea. Mind you she's 75

I’d try one if there was one near me.

Try it. I joined 2 years ago and sometimes I feel a bit too young for it even at 56 but I have had some good evenings and met some great women. Mine can be a little like a convention of headmistresses but I think it will change with the generations.

I've been thinking of joining and I'm 38. My son is 11 and it's difficult to attend evening meetings as I have nowhere to leave him.

I tried it a few years ago. I was about 30 years old and the youngest after me was about 70/75 years old. I felt like a right spare part.

I’m just assisting in one, it might just be fab and filled with new friends.

I joined a few months ago. We have a really young 24 year old who comes with their Mum and the rest are 50-85. It’s a laugh though and you can try out a couple of meetings before you commit to joining.

The one I'm in has a varied age group. It's a fairly big group 60+ in numbers. We do quite a few interesting things, gin tasting , chocolate making, Christmas bow making, good talks, a woman about our pelvic floors, a belly dancer, CPR. Give it a go. magazine is crap

I’m a member of the WI - joined when I was 30. We have about 60 members in our group, ranging from 20s to 80s. Our group is great, we do all sorts at our meeting from crafts and talks to salsa dancing and archery. We also have spin off groups, book club, knitting, theatre, netball etc. It’s brilliant and I’ve made so many local friends since I started that I wouldn’t otherwise know. As pp said, it depends on the group, the WI in my mums village is mostly much older ladies who are very traditional in their outlook/activities, she’s in her 60s and doesn’t go as it is “too old”!

I fancied joining when I was 29 with my neighbour who was 32, I can't remember why we didn't?

My mum was in the village WI from late twenties along with other mums the same age, there were older members too but I think it had a good mix. obviously that was years ago though.

you might as well try it out and see what your local ones like.

Sounds like it's worth a punt! I live in a lovely place, the ladies I know who go are lovely, but I'd definitely drag down the average age significantly!! Sad to hear magazine not up to much, hopefully the online courses are good. I've a lot to do this year and becoming less hermit like is a big thing. Thank you

WI is for ladies 18 plus. At 40 you will be mid range. I'm 50 and towards the upper age group of mine. Remember now days you don't go to your nearest WI but to the one that suits you best.

I would recommend it. 5 years ago (when I was still in my 20s) I would have laughed at the idea if joining the WI. But now I am on the organising committee. I am not the youngest (there are some 10 years younger plus 50 years older). I have met people and made friends I never would have otherwise. I would struggle to be without it now, it's part of my social life.

Facebook is a good place to look for different groups and what they are doing.