Benefits for Members

Inspiring Women!

As a member of the Women’s Institute you are part of a large organisation with many opportunities readily available to you.

As a member you have a new set of friends and access to all the activities offered by the WI. You can be wholly involved in all activities, organise your own events, or pick and choose what you want to do. The decision is yours!
In addition you receive:

Annual programme - at Shadforth WI, of monthly meetings on your doorstep: with interesting speakers on wide ranging subjects, chat, games, competitions, etc!

Monthly programme - from Durham County Federation of Women’s Institutes (DCFWI), with news, activities, trips, classes, offers and competitions to take part in individually or as an institute (see Involvement with other WIs and What does Shadforth WI do for examples of DCFWI events). Every member receives a personal copy of County News DCFWI's monthly newsletter to keep up to date.

WI Magazine: WI Life - Sent directly to all members, eight times a year, from January 2007.

Vouchers – in an annual thick booklet.

Competitions, activities, offers, merchandise and holidays - as listed on the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) website:

Competitions:

Activities:

Offers and merchandise:

Holidays:

Publications

WI Life – the WI Magazine

This full-colour monthly magazine mixes informative articles, creative craft and cookery, consumer and financial advice, top competitions and giveaways, fiction and news from across the country of the WI's many activities and campaigns. And it's completely free with your membership!

(N.B. This continues on from the previous WI magazine Home & Country which was published from 1919 to December 2006.) For further details see:

As an environmental campaigner, the NFWI made WI Life as eco friendly as possible. It is printed on 100% recycled paper, using vegetable based inks, and is even delivered in a bio-degradable polybag! To find out more see:

Woman’s World – the WI Annual

This is available through the DCFWI. For further details see:

Books

NFWI publish a range of books on topics of interest to WI members. For details of current titles see:

Education

Craft DIY!

Action Packs are available for WI members to hire and work together in a group, following step-by-step guidelines, to learn a new skill. Aimed at beginers, the packs included details instructions and illustrations to enable you to hold the workshop without a tutor. Current packs available are:

* Fabric boxes
* Fabric frames
* Canvaswork
* Braids and tassels
* Christmas
* Aromatherapy
* Stencilling
* Foundation piecing for patchwork
* Keepsake books
* Strip patchwork
* Amish patchwork and quilting
* Paper beads

For more information or to order an Action Pack, please contact the NFWI Unit on 01865 391788 or see:

Denman College

Denman College, near Oxford, is the Women’s Institutes’ own Residential Adult Education College. It was named after the first NFWI Chairman, Lady Denman and is a graceful Georgian house set in 17 acres of grounds, which also include Fir Tree Cottage which is available to rent. Anyone can attend the college (although under 18 year olds must be accompanied by an adult), either to take part in a course or just for a holiday. Courses last for 2, 3 or 4 days and bursaries can be obtained – ask Shadforth WI Secretary for details. The college offers all sorts of subjects, for example literature, music, craft, art, personal development, languages, photography and video. There is something for everyone! For up to date information and details of Denman Open Days and Craft Taster Weeks see:

Training

Training in its many forms has always been an integral part of the WI organisation. As a member you have the opportunity to develop your ability to work and speak in the public arena, whether by presiding at your local WI meeting, chairing a Federation Committee, working as a WI Adviser or in one of the many other roles within the WI.

The WI offers special personal development courses, to members only. For further information see: