NFWI Annual Review 2015-2016

TAILORED EVENTS
FOR WHAT MEMBERS
REALLY WANT
so members really were witnessing history in the
making.
One event that brought a great deal of publicity was
their celebration of WI Day 2015. Calling on an
already existing relationship with BBC Radio
Northampton, the presenters agreed to run their
lunchtime show from WI House. Their presenter,
Helen Blaby, runs a special series throughout her
show called “Helen tries...” around the county, which
saw her trying out different sports and activities. She
came to WI House for the live broadcast interviewing
a range of different WI members and had a go at all of
the showcased items. Throughout the two-hour
show, Helen tried bobbin lace, spinning, machine
embroidery, Mah Jong, and basket weaving –
hopefully she’ll be joining a local WI soon!
Another great example of federations tailoring their
events to what members really want to learn is from
Durham Federation, who recently organised ‘Back to
Basics’ workshops to respond to requests for
workshops and educational sessions from their
members. One of their newer younger members
expressed a wish to make scones so the idea of a
range of Back to Basics sessions was formed. Their
Home Economics and Craft Committee took the idea
IMAGE: Louise Haywood-Schiefer
on board and so far they have held a scone making
session with members learning how to make three
different kinds, a jam making session with a variety
of flavours tried and tested, and a chutney making
session. Every session has been oversubscribed and
they intend to offer them again next year – a great
example of the WI’s educational ethos with members
handing down key skills and learning through their
membership.
ABOVE: Changed due to
resolution
Crafts weren’t forgotten; two ‘Back to Basics - crochet’
sessions have been organised, and there are also
monthly self-help knitting, embroidery, and sewing
sessions. Such a simple idea that goes right back to
the very roots of the WI has really caught the
attention and imagination of so many members – a
great idea for all federations and WIs to try.
Communications through the WI is a continually
evolving feat, with members turning to social media
to keep an eye on what the WI is up to nationally,
whilst sharing details of their own WI events with
their federation through Facebook, and promoting
activities to potential new members through Twitter.
We’re seeing more and more members reaching out
on Instagram and sharing more images than ever
before – WI Sports Week was a perfect example of
every NFWI social media channel working together
in harmony – with longer-form case studies written
for the NFWI blog, Behind the Door of 104, shared to
inspire fellow members to give their latest activity a
go. The WI website continues to share information
online, but this is primarily a tool to market the WI to
those looking for more information on what the WI is
and what it does, and for women hoping to find a WI
nearby to visit for their first-ever meeting. With this
in mind, the WI members’ only website is currently
under development with the aim of providing an
easy-to-access secure online space with everything
that a WI member needs to know, alongside
inspirational projects and information to allow
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