WIBU to join the WI at my age?

[instituute]

I saw someone suggest this to another poster who was lonely and it struck me as a wonderful idea.

Am I too young at 33 to join myself? What should I expect?

My nearest one is in Wimbledon Village.

I shouldn’t think so, go for it.

Nope, I've been along to a few meetings at my mum's WI. Lots of lively and interesting conversation. You can go to two or three meetings before formally joining to see if you like it. Some groups have a younger demographic than others.

Shop around if you don’t love the first one you go to. WIs differ hugely. Mine is really modern, some are more old fashioned.

I did this. There wasn't one near me so I ended up setting one up myself.
It was lovely. I got to meet lots of people and the ages varied from 98 to 24.

I started going to the WI when I was 26.

The one I went to disbanded though, I still miss it but the other local ones aren’t quite the same.

It really can be for all ages. Give it a try and go along as a visitor first. If that one doesn't 'fit' try another.
There really is very little 'Jam and Jerusalem' these days.

I go to a group with an age range of maybe 35-75. Every month is an interesting talk about something and everyone is friendly. The group nearest to me though has a much older age range. I also go to a very friendly knitting group . Try searching Facebook or the meet-up app.

It might have been me you saw suggesting it. I was 28 when I joined. Mine is one of the more traditional ones but everyone is lovely and welcoming.

When I had a newborn I took him every month and it was like he had an army of grandmas to fuss over him

Thanks for the replies.

Do I have to be religious?

It's non-sectarian, so no religious involvement needed.

My dsis has been running her local WI branch since she was early 30s, they have lots of younger women there, it's great! You can only give it a try!

Even if they still sing Jerusalem (rare) it is considered an anthem and is used by the WI because of its connection to the Suffragette movement not because of any religious connotation.

The WI has no religious affiliation at all.

I'd like to join, but there isn't one near me in my city. The nearest one is in the "posh" bit of the city and is full of older women and quite cliquey, according to our vicar (a lovely quirky lady).

Can you take small children with you to WI?

www.thewi.org.uk/faqs

Wimbledon Village WI is in the same federation as mine, I think it's fairly traditional with more older women. The further into London you go you go the broader the age range I have found, although there are exceptions. My WI (ex president, now secretary) is Balham and I'm one of the older ones at 37, although we do have members up to 65+

Typically no @givemefiveminutes although I know of one around here that allows it.

I live in SE London and the WI here was so full a new one started which is also now full. Go along and see what you think, if you don’t like your nearest one see if there is another one close by

Check out WING ( WI Next Generation)
Also think about Townswomen Guild TG.

I've been to meetings and on trips with my little one (when he was three and four months old). And it was definitely like having an army of grandmas to hand! Really lovely.

Not at all! Go for it! lt's not about age, it's about interests. There's a Goth one in North London. l'd go to that if l lived anywhere near it.