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 undertaken NFWI training and peer support from within the Federation 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 really enjoyed visiting WIs to give my report after an NFWI Annual meeting so decided that I wanted to do more with the Federation.
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.
Jane Jackson
I am a member of Cherestanc, which is in Garstang and also a member of WI LD which a new WI formed in 2026 in Littleborough. I trained as a WI Adviser in 2021 which was an amazing experience. I have been both President and Secretary of a WI and also trained as an IFE.
I especially enjoy supporting the Clusters and getting to know the members in them. Being able to support and encourage such a variety of WIs is very fulfilling.
I am proud to be member of such a fantastic 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 and was President there for 6 years.
I trained as an adviser in 2022 and thoroughly enjoy supporting the many and varied WIs of The Manchester Hive Cluster, The East Lancs Cluster and the South Lancs Collective Cluster.
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 look after many WIs across Lancashire, and I really enjoy visiting different WIs, supporting members with queries, attending meetings and helping to facilitate workshops.
I firmly believe that our Cluster groups are a golden opportunity for us all to reach out, connect and engage with one another. By sharing our experiences, ideas and knowledge, we can strengthen our WIs and build a greater sense of community across Lancashire.
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
Jill Snow
In 2020 I was invited, along with my daughter, to join the WI. She asked “but what do the WI do?” and my answer was “other than make jam and sing Jerusalem, I don’t really know”. I’m pleased to say that this changed rapidly and, if asked the question now, my answer would be “what don’t they do?” I’ve learned that the WI is a women’s workforce, determined to make a difference - in their own lives, their own communities and wider. Personally I have learned so much through speakers, different events, trips, training on the WI website and the support and friendship of others. I became an honorary Lancastrian in 2021 when I migrated from the West Midlands to Morecambe, and joined my local WI soon after where I have been Secretary for several years. I have continued with membership of my original WI, so see the diversity of two groups “singing from the same hymn sheet” but operating ways which best suit them. I decided to volunteer to train to be a WI adviser after LFWI put out a recruitment campaign in 2025. I’m looking forward to learning from colleagues and supporting WIs in my area and especially trying to expand membership to ensure viability going forward.
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