WI members are urged to help stop energy waste. Many shops waste huge amounts of energy by keeping their doors open all day, losing heating in winter and air conditioning in the summer. WI members are asked to encourage retailers to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting the Close the Door campaign.

Support shops that don't waste energy in this way or write to the head offices of chain stores.

For a copy of the NFWI campaign briefing paper contact Public Affairs Dept at NFWI or visit www.closethedoor.org.uk

The NFWI will be launching a new water campaign to raise awareness of the unsustainable way in which we use water and the environmental cost of the increasing popularity of bottled water.

During WI Water Week 19-25 March 2012 you might want to call on local cafes and restaurants to serve tap water. NFWI asks members to boycott bottled water on World Water Day 22 March and to push for more water fountains in playgrounds and public spaces.

Jean Morris, the Bucks Federation Chairman attended the Clare Foundation Conference at Saunderton and she was invited to speak about the WI mandate on the care of stroke victims.Speakers from organisations involved in after care described their work in the Early Discharge Scheme, the role of care homes, and their contribution as speech therapists and stroke co-ordinators.The WI mandate was welcomed as a worthwhile contribution to raising awareness of shared problems and keeping them in the forefront planners' minds when considering health re-organisation.

At the 2011 BFWI Annual Council Meeting in April, Bucks WI members passed a resolution calling on local Health and Social Care providers to make resources for the care of Stroke Survivors more effective.

Members are asked to write to those who can make a difference to raise awareness of this issue. If help is needed in writing letters, BFWI has sent out to all WIs a proforma letter which is also available electronically from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Members are advised to compose their own letters if possible especially if they have personal experience of dealing with post stroke victims or their carers.

We need to raise public awareness and to ensure that existing facilities are maintained and new ones developed.

Responses to the work on the Bucks FWI mandate on the care of stroke victims is being monitored by the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee. If it hasn't already done so, remind your WI to write letters to influential people in your hospital area.