The WI
The Women's Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK. The WI celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has almost 180,000 members in approximately 6,000 WIs.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. The WI is based on the ideals of fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. The organisation is non-sectarian and non-party political. WIs are charitable and everything they do must be consistent with that special legal status.
The national headquarters of the WI are located in Parsons Green, London.
https://www.thewi.org.uk
Cheshire Federation
Each WI is self-governing within the framework of the WI constitution and rules and belongs to one of 69 federations – each with a regional office. The 6,000 WIs and 69 federations make up the National Federation.
Cheshire Federation of Women’s Institutes (CFWI), established in 1920, is the largest Federation in the country with WI’s covering Cheshire, South Manchester, Warrington and Wirral.
Cheshire Federation Headquarters are based at 11, White Friars, Chester, CH1 1NZ
https://cheshirewi.org.uk
VIA LEARNING HUB -LIFE LONG LEARNING WITH THE WI
When the Women's Institute (WI) first started back in 1915, it wasn't just about jam-making and crafting (though that's a proud part of our story!). From the very beginning, education sat at the heart of the WI's mission, and over the past century the WI has quietly, and powerfully, transformed learning opportunities for women across the country.
Today, the WI continues its educational mission through the charity Denman College and VIA, with traditional skills and forward-thinking topics, helping individuals to build confidence, and grow as active citizens. But education at the WI isn't just about personal enrichment; its about understanding the issues that matter most to women and communities, and acting on them together. Through our democratic resolutions process and broad campaigning agenda, members identify and learn about important topis such as climate change, mental health, access to dental care, river pollution and much more. These campaigns spark learning, broaden awareness, shape public conversation, and inspire members to advocate for positive change at local and national levels.
https://via.thewi.org.uk/