What We Doat the WI
MANDY SKEATES explains the Wonky Women’s Institute: a safe, social and educational space for chat, laughter – and always fun
2023 Charities Cheque Presentation Evening. Pictured L to R: Saving The Homeless; Sarah (former Secretary); Little Gate Farm; Jan (former President); Women’s Voice; Hazel (Wonky fundraising member)
Wonky WI is based in St Leonards at the Arthur Easton Centre at St Michaels Hospice on Upper Maze Hill. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month (except August), in the evening. It provides a supportive and safe environment that enables the diverse and wholly unique nature of St Leonards women to come together to chat and swap ideas, joining together in support of local charities and national campaigns that affect women, while learning together over a lovely cuppa.
Each month we have an invited speaker or presentation of interest to our members, given by a local person. We have a great programme of events set up this year (April to March) which includes subjects from Forensics to Pelvic Floor, and from Trees to All Things Chocolate!! We have arranged outings for theatre, cinema, fish and chip supper, crazy golf, as well as in-house quizzes. We plan to do a major garden centre trip soon, subsidising the cost to members. We also run a monthly craft club (Wonky members only, with a small fee) where we try out new and clever crafts.
We have a great fundraising ethic, enabling us to support local charities by donating generous amounts on an annual basis. One way we fundraise is by selling beautifully handcrafted items at craft sales, all made by our wonderfully gifted members. Last year we were able to support three local charities with over £1,000 each and present them with their cheques at a lovely evening event.
This year we are supporting a local children’s charity called Glow Baby, that provides safe and supportive sensory play, messy play and free play to children with additional needs, while also supporting the families. It was amazing to meet up with Lauren, its founder, when she came to speak to us in June.
We are currently recruiting new members, offering taster sessions (which are generally free to attend) to any woman wanting to see what we are about. We will invite you to a meeting of your choice, introduce you to key members, show you round our ‘activity tables’ and information board and enjoy a chat and a cuppa or two! We will also provide you with Wonky WI information along with membership details and the programme for 2024/25. The membership fee this year is £48 pro rata.
Come and join us! We’re a lovely bunch.
The Women’s Institute is a progressive organisation for all who live as women, treating all fairly and equally, no matter what their background, affiliations (non-political), characteristics or circumstances, with over 200,000 members (as of 2022). They are proud to state they believe in fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. It is proven that membership of a social group contributes to an increased lifespan by giving a feeling of accessibility, inclusion and support, (NFWI, 2023)
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