WI Memberships (?)

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Nana Tuesday, I’m sorry you had no response to your enquiries but I really don’t think that’s typical. I’m a member of two WI branches which are both very responsive to new member enquiries.

My two WIs are quite different but I enjoy them both. One is afternoon and predominantly older age range (yes we sing Jersusalem which I love) and the other is evening with mainly a younger, working age membership, lots of fun and no Jerusalem. Our current President is 32 for instance. We have some really good speakers and lots of opportunities for interesting outings. No jam in sight at either of them.

Anyone can attend meetings as a visitor a few times before they decide whether to join and my advice would be to visit a few as they are all different.

Being a member of both the WI and U3A is quite possible because I do it.

pascal30

ninamoore

Remember U3A have groups not classes or courses

Not true here in Brighton we have loads of courses that are run in a variety of topics and last for months.. I suggest looking at your local U3A lists of topics which should all be on-line

Ours has over 70 groups, but the groups are led by volunteers who lead, organise speakers, give a sense of direction. Without these enthusiastic volunteers it could easily become different groups of people meeting and chatting aimlessly.

Being a member of both the WI and U3A is quite possible because I do it

And being a member of TWG as well 🙂

Primrose53 Denman has been closed for some time and no longer belongs to the WI

I belong to a local WI and love it. I’m in my late 60’s, which I’d say is about the average age of our members. Age range from 40’s to 80’s I’d say. I’ve been going for almost 2 years and find it very friendly and enjoyable. Some of the talks are more entertaining/informative than others, but on the whole they’re good. I’m not on the committee, but maybe I will be one day (if they’re short!). I would never want to be President as I hate public speaking and wouldn’t want to commit too much time - although I realise that someone has to do it if the WI is to thrive, so that sounds like a very selfish attitude from me!
We have a few outings, although I haven’t been on any of them as yet as nothing has appealed so far. I’d say if you’re not sure about the WI, just go along to one of the meetings and give it a try. It took me many years to get round to the idea of going, as I thought it was for elderly women, but I’m not that young myself now and far younger women than me attend. I may be wrong, but I think that Denman College may do some courses online. I’ve no idea what they cost though.
I have a friend in a U3A group in her local area and she loves it, but I’ve yet to give it a try. It’s definitely something I’m considering.

Our group meeting went so well yesterday that we over ran on time! One of our newer, still -working younger members sent an email to say how much she is enjoying being a part of such a lovely group. Yes, we are trying to recruit younger members but our latest joiner is 79 and we don’t mind! We try hard to mix daytime and evening meetings, to include everyone and have trips, cafe visits and meals out, as well as speakers. And we do the business as quickly as possible at the beginning of the meeting!
Instead of Denman, there are a wide range of online courses including IT, craft, Art, history and more, mostly free to members.
Give your local groups a try!

Our oldest WI member is 97, dresses fashionably and isn’t slow to make her voice heard. She joined our trip to Chenies Manor recently and insisted on climbing the stairs to see the upper rooms. She is a trouper 👍

Soniah

Primrose53 Denman has been closed for some time and no longer belongs to the WI

I know. Several people have already said that.

I am a member of the National Women's Register (NWR) which I love. Have been a member since my children were little when I lived in Essex and I am so lucky that they have a local group where I live now. There are not groups everywhere but you will be able to enquire via their website and you can attend a couple of meetings free to see if it is for you. Meetings are very informal discussion/social based get togethers and the topics are decided by the members in the group. Just a suggestion

GlendaMayCooper

I am a member of the National Women's Register (NWR) which I love. Have been a member since my children were little when I lived in Essex and I am so lucky that they have a local group where I live now. There are not groups everywhere but you will be able to enquire via their website and you can attend a couple of meetings free to see if it is for you. Meetings are very informal discussion/social based get togethers and the topics are decided by the members in the group. Just a suggestion

I joined NWR when I moved to a new area. I've made new friends, done new things and discussed many interesting topics! Well worth investigating.

Happily the WI that I’m a member off is thriving. We used to have to limit the membership to 40 because of the size of the room so there was a waiting list. We recently moved to a larger room and our membership has doubled in just over a year.
When I started WI 20years ago I was one of the ‘younger’ members - obviously not now - many of our new members are in their 40s and 50s and are very enthusiastic.
I was also a member of the U3A for 10 years but had to give up my membership after COVID as I couldn’t fit everything in so had to chose between the two. I much preferred WI over U3A.
I can’t believe that the WI you emailed would deliberately ignore your request. Perhaps the email address is out of date.

Could someone explain how the NWR is different from the WI? Would you say it’s for younger women? I have tried U3A (bit cliquey) and Townswomen’s Guild (too doddery)!

Dempie55

Could someone explain how the NWR is different from the WI? Would you say it’s for younger women? I have tried U3A (bit cliquey) and Townswomen’s Guild (too doddery)!

NWR members here are mainly retired women.

They discuss different subjects at meetings, one member researches a topic, presents it and it is then discussed at the next meeting. They also have a national quiz (very enjoyable).

Townswomen’s Guild (too doddery)!

Oh, we might be doddering but there's plenty of life in us yet!!
Interesting speakers, social gatherings, trips out, lunches etc.

NWR is open to women of all ages. The reason why I joined is that anyone can set up a new group and so I find that easier than joining an established group, There is great support available and a really good web-site and monthly magazine too.

My group is still in the embryonic stages but I want evening meetings, younger women and very open discussion topics; no crafting, baking or walking. Trans women would also be welcome- no one has told me they're not!

Maybe that's a bit different to WI?

I was in the NWR when my children were little. I thought it was for younger women. It certainly was then for mainly SAHM to help prevent loneliness and to keep our brains active.

I joined U3A a few years ago when DH became ill and there was a walking group, which I loved and still do. I joined 2 other interest groups.

The WI, which I think is the Women's Rural around here, is struggling if not stopped altogether due to the costs going up. I was told the National fees on top of local fees are too much for most people, which is rather sad.

There are various other groups in my town so you could be out every day and evening!
I'm just home from the community cinema, run by the Development Trust. Tomorrow I shall have to miss a talk about the horticultural society which the historical society is running, as I am at a church meeting!

I think sometimes you need to be proactive. If the groups are full, suggest starting another one.

Our art appreciation group has gone from 6 to 26 very quickly.

You might be interested in the NWR, National Women's Register. Very similar to WI. I was going to join my local WI but, unfortunately, at the time it was not well run here. I met a lady while out walking one morning and she told me about the NWR. I was made very welcome and am enjoying my time with them.

Sorry to hear about WI groups that are not welcoming .
I am on the committee of our local WI and enjoy the meetings very much. We have a variety of talks, some serious and others definitely not.
We have a book club, a walking group , coffee mornings. Also a knitting group and sewing group that make items for various charities.
Our committee does its best to be welcoming and does its best to support members who need help in any way.
We often combine with other WIs for different meetings.
We do sing Jerusalem ( not my choice) and there are always delicious cakes.
Hope you can find a WI that suits you.

Mum was on her local WI committee for years but eventually they all decided to give up as they got more elderly and no one volunteered to take over. So they folded and joined the one in the next village which was not so easy to get to.

I always wanted to join but the one in our small village only had 6 members and the meeting mil and I went to was sooo boring we didn’t go again and it died. The larger group in the next village was/is very cliquey. Some officers transferred from our village and one became chairman so I put out feelers I would really like to join. They invited a friend of mine however
but not me. As I didn’t feel welcome I gave up on the idea and my friend rarely went.

keepingquiet

I think NWR may be the way to go. I am in the process of setting up a new group in my area. They are more open ended than WI which I know isn't for me and less restrictive than U3A.

I second this. I found them a much friendlier group than WI.

keepingquiet

NWR is open to women of all ages. The reason why I joined is that anyone can set up a new group and so I find that easier than joining an established group, There is great support available and a really good web-site and monthly magazine too.

My group is still in the embryonic stages but I want evening meetings, younger women and very open discussion topics; no crafting, baking or walking. Trans women would also be welcome- no one has told me they're not!

Maybe that's a bit different to WI?

We do some rafting, baking and walking - nothing wrong with that but we do many other things as well.

Crafting!

dragonfly46

Crafting!

I was wondering if our local NWR did rafting.

I can't imagine any of them crafting.

Frogs

Happily the WI that I’m a member off is thriving. We used to have to limit the membership to 40 because of the size of the room so there was a waiting list. We recently moved to a larger room and our membership has doubled in just over a year.
When I started WI 20years ago I was one of the ‘younger’ members - obviously not now - many of our new members are in their 40s and 50s and are very enthusiastic.
I was also a member of the U3A for 10 years but had to give up my membership after COVID as I couldn’t fit everything in so had to chose between the two. I much preferred WI over U3A.
I can’t believe that the WI you emailed would deliberately ignore your request. Perhaps the email address is out of date.

I’m not sure why they would use about if date email , but considering that the President or whatever emailed on my behalf previously it seems quite rude . Also may be as others have said because they are quite a closed group .
My SIL moved to a village & had thrown herself into all manner of activities, beginning with pub life quizzes etc & seems to be thriving . Maybe I’ll move to a village community 😂