Why oh WI did I think they were stuffy?

I’d always thought of the WI as stuffy and irrelevant.

But this week I was invited down to Kent to meet the ladies of the Erith Women’s Institute and they really set me straight.

Their president Angela Lester gave me a rundown of all the great work they do – everything from tackling food poverty to championing carers.

“The WI is not about jam-making and basketweaving,” she told me. “We’re a non-political organisation which aims to inspire women of all ages to come together and add value to the communities we live in.”

Nationally the WI has 220,000 members – including the Queen!

So if you are looking for friendship, inspiration and the chance to learn some new skills, check out your local WI. See thewi.org.uk.