Lancashire Federation of Women's Institutes
Your membership support team (wi advisers)
In brief, and according to MyWI, advisers:
- form new WIs and help grow existing groups
- promote the WI at outside events
- visit other WIs and attend meetings
- plan and run training sessions - such as public speaking, training treasurers and helping secretaries and presidents in their role
- support struggling WIs and suspend WIs when necessary
- keep the Federation informed of WI activities and opinions
We would also like you to know!
- Just like you, your WI Adviser is a WI member who is passionate about every member getting the best she can from her WI experience
- Advisers have been trained by NFWI and work under the authority and guidance of the Federation Board of Trustees
- Advisers are volunteers
- Advisers aim to support, encourage, assist ,advise, share ideas and try to help you find the answers to queries and problems
- Advisers are only a phone call or an email away
MEET THE MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT TEAM!
Ruth Grimley
I have been a WI Adviser since 2014. I so enjoyed visiting WIs to give my report after an NFWI Annual meeting that I wanted to do more with the Federation.
I live in the Preston area but have WIs all over Lancashire. I really enjoy meeting the challenges of WI and supporting those who are having difficulties. It's also great to be involved in celebrations and the good things that WI offers.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening - well pulling up weeds and cutting back brambles in a garden restoration I am involved in!
Jane Jackson
I am a multiple member of 2 Lancashire WIs (Cherestanc and Norden). - Cherestanc is my primary WI
I have been both a WI President and Secretary.
I am involved at Federation level as a member of the Leisure Activities Team and also an IFE.
I trained as a WI Adviser in February 2021 which I enjoyed tremendously and which gave me even greater insight into how amazing the WI is.
I feel proud to be a member of such a fabulous organisation for women.
Helen Aldcroft
Brought up in the Kent, University in Manchester brought me back to my Northern family roots.
I worked as a Primary School Teacher and Deputy Head for 23 years - a job I loved and felt very passionate about.
I live about as far east in Lancashire as you can get, and I have been a member of Milnrow and District WI since its formation in 2016. I have been President since 2019. Being a member of the WI has brought so many wonderful things - laughter, friendships, new skills and so many experiences.
I trained as an adviser in 2022
Rosalind McEntee
I live in Preston with my husband and feel extremely fortunate to have joined the WI; it has given me new friendships and encouraged me to try new things.
I joined Ashton-on-Ribble WI in January 2016 and have since been President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
As an Adviser I enjoy assisting other WIs through meetings, delivering workshops and within the Clusters
Dee Cox
I have been a member of Tarleton WI since 2021 and became their treasurer in 2022.
In late 2024 I commenced training to become a WI Adviser, completing the training in early 2025. Becoming an Adviser has given me the opportunity to meet other WI's within Lancashire, meet other likeminded people and learn more about what the WI represents and the support it provides to all its members.
Wendy Holbeche
I have been a member of Mawdesley WI since 2014 and soon became a Committee Member. I am currently President but was the Secretary for several years.
On retiring I decided I wanted to keep healthy in both mind and body and sought out new interests, leading me to start training as a WI Adviser in 2024. I enjoy visiting different WI’s, learning more about the organisation and how I can contribute to the effective running of our Federation and its diverse range of WI’s.
As a result of inviting a local Music Society to talk at my WI, I am now their Treasurer and manage the Box Office, a task I thoroughly enjoy. I also love the theatre and cinema with visits to both planned most weeks.
Most mornings I can be seen taking a long walk in the countryside surrounding my village whilst I catch up on the day’s news and keep fit and healthy
Keen to know more about the history of tHE WI?
Suggested reading list:
A Force to be Reckoned With – Jane Robinson
Bows of Burning Gold – Helen Carey
Jam and Jerusalem – Simon Goodenough
The WI A Century In The Making – Mavis Curtis