Welcome to Example Federation

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Welcome to the Northamptonshire Federation

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^{In brief : Northamptonshire is a long County, with 113 WIs and just under 3400 members. Click on the tabs above (and sides on other pages) to find out more. You will not be disappointed.}

Northamptonshire is a beautiful County with plenty of open spaces, historic locations, pretty villages and friendly WIs.

Northamptonshire is the shoe making capital of the world, also known as the Rose of the Shires and nicknamed the county of Spires and Squires.

In Northamptonshire Federation we have just under 3400 members spread across the County in 113 WIs. The Federation was formed in 1918 and along with six WIs Badby & Fawsley, Brackley, Brigstock, Clipston, Hargrave and Wootton we celebrated our Centenaries in 2018.

Every WI is different and joining is a great way to make new friends.  From Gretton, Glapthorn and Oundle in the North to Aynho and Charlton in the South there are plenty of WIs to choose from all over the County.  Morning, Afternoon and Evening WIs, some small and intimate others having over 60 members.  Many WIs also have extras  other than the monthly meeting, for example book clubs, craft groups, regular walks, cinema and theatre trips There are lots of opportunities to learn new skills, take part in a varied programme of events, coach trips to places of interest and short holidays organised by our Federation Sub-Committees.

Resolutions on all sorts of different issues are put forward by WI members each year and if selected and mandated by the members they become campaigns giving the opportunity to influence decisions locally and nationally.  From equal pay to climate change, from gaps in the midwifery workforce to the plight of the honeybee, WI members have built up a reputation to embrace a diverse set of challenges over a long history of campaigning and changing things for the better.

New members would be very welcome at all our WIs.  If you can, visit a few and decide which you would like to join, it is possible to join more than one as a dual member with a reduced annual subscription fee at the second and any subsequent WI.  If you are unable to get to a local WI then you can become an associate member.

For more information about our WIs in Northamptonshire please contact the County Federation Office on 01604 646055 email admin@ncfwi.org.uk

Anne Rodwell
Federation Chairman

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Me, Myself and WI

Supporting your own mental and physical health now and adjusting to the changes in daily life over the next few months as the new road map outlined by the Government starts to unfold is important. It’s easy to feel bored, frustrated or lonely. You may also feel low, worried, anxious, or be concerned about your health or that of those close to you. Everyone reacts differently and changes in the way that we think, feel and behave vary between people and over time. Now, more than ever, it’s important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and to reach out for support if you need it.

The WI has an outstanding reputation for supporting members’ during difficult times and today’s situation is of no exception. The NFWI is exceptionally proud to learn of the positive, motivational and inspirational ways in which members are supporting one-another, both within their WIs and with fellow members across the country.

From 26 March, the NFWI has launched the ‘Me, Myself and WI’ programme with the aim of helping members easily recognise ways in which they can help their mental and physical health. Using the butterfly logos (above), across the NFWI, we will help identify activities which members could undertake; form cooking and craft, to exercise and science, we will be highlighting a variety of activities across the coming weeks which members could incorporate into daily life. When the butterfly logo is shown, member’s will be able to identify the activity as being a benefit to their mental and/or physical wellbeing.

The Butterfly Effect…Every single thing you do matters.
You have been created as one of a kind.
You have been created in order to make a difference.
You have within you the power to Change the World.

Andy Andrews