Our national campaigns tackle issues that matter to members. From equal pay to climate change, mental health and violence against women, over the past 100 years our members have embraced a diverse set of challenges. The WI has brought about real change - and we are just getting started.
#BlackLivesMatter
The stated Mission of the Women’s Institute is this:
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. We inspire women through experiences, knowledge and skills. These are passed down through generations and continually updated to reflect the lives of women today.
In the first week of June 2020, deep racial divisions in the communities of the UK and the US were sharply exposed by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Buckinghamshire Federation of WIs stands in solidarity with all people of colour across our sector and around the world. We know that we have more work to do as an organisation to be effectively inclusive and representative. We continue to learn and reflect on our responsibilities and challenge racism wherever we can, and take on the work needed to be truly anti-racist.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. We inspire women through experiences, knowledge and skills. These are passed down through generations and continually updated to reflect the lives of women today.
In the first week of June 2020, deep racial divisions in the communities of the UK and the US were sharply exposed by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Buckinghamshire Federation of WIs stands in solidarity with all people of colour across our sector and around the world. We know that we have more work to do as an organisation to be effectively inclusive and representative. We continue to learn and reflect on our responsibilities and challenge racism wherever we can, and take on the work needed to be truly anti-racist.
On 30 June we came together for a virtual lobby. Many WI members and thousands of others met up with each other and with their MPs online. We asked our representatives in parliament to put people, climate and nature at the heart of our nation’s recovery.
FIND OUT MORE HERE!
https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/virtual-lobby
You can also find out how your MP votes on crucial climate change issues here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com
FIND OUT MORE HERE!
https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/virtual-lobby
You can also find out how your MP votes on crucial climate change issues here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com
There is an urgent need to increase the number of people registered on the aligned UK stem cell registry in order to provide potentially life-saving treatment to people of all ages with certain blood cancers. We call on all WI members to promote registration to the database to avoid people dying whilst waiting for a match.
There are tens of thousands of victims of modern slavery hiding in plain sight in the UK. Modern slavery has severe consequences for the health and mental wellbeing of survivors. The NFWI calls on the Government to protect victims of modern slavery in the first instance and deliver longer term support to help them rebuild their lives. We call on our members to raise awareness of the prevalence of modern slavery throughout society and to campaign to defeat it.
Our 5 Minutes that Matter campaign seeks to raise awareness of the importance of attending routine cervical screening, and support more women to make an informed decision about whether or not to take up their invitations. It also calls on WI members to help make cervical screening more accessible by tackling barriers to attendance. The campaign was launched at the NFWI Annual Meeting in June 2019.
Take part in NFWI research on cervical screening
This study aims to explore a wide range of issues, including barriers to cervical screening attendance and personal attitudes towards strategies designed to improve uptake. Please note that this research is open to all women over the age of 25, regardless of whether they have attended cervical screening recently or at all.
Campaign Action Pack
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
Take part in NFWI research on cervical screening
This study aims to explore a wide range of issues, including barriers to cervical screening attendance and personal attitudes towards strategies designed to improve uptake. Please note that this research is open to all women over the age of 25, regardless of whether they have attended cervical screening recently or at all.
Campaign Action Pack
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
| wi_actionpack_5minutes.pdf |
With bus services under threat across England, Wales and the Islands, our Get on Board for a Better Bus Service campaign calls on both local and national governments to take action.
We are seeking to raise awareness of the importance of local bus services and to empower members, WIs and federations to make the case for buses in their local communities.
Campaign Action Pack
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
We are seeking to raise awareness of the importance of local bus services and to empower members, WIs and federations to make the case for buses in their local communities.
Campaign Action Pack
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
| wi_actionpack_getonboard.pdf |
Update on the new Domestic Abuse Bill
In July, the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill passed its final stage in the House of Commons.
Whilst we are pleased to welcome this groundbreaking piece of legislation, the bill still fails to protect migrant women. No survivor should be left behind. We will continue to push for change so that all survivors have access to the support they need.
To find out more visit Southall Black Sisters page.
Whilst we are pleased to welcome this groundbreaking piece of legislation, the bill still fails to protect migrant women. No survivor should be left behind. We will continue to push for change so that all survivors have access to the support they need.
To find out more visit Southall Black Sisters page.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown, there has been an alarming rise in domestic abuse. NFWI Public Affairs Dept has been sharing sources of support so that members know what is available to them and where they can access it. Members are asked to share these with friends and family. The NFWI has united with 60+ organisations to call for immediate action from UK Government to protect women and girls during lockdown.
In 2018, an estimated 1.3 million women across the UK experienced violence, including domestic violence, rape, forced marriage, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse and harassment. We are encouraging members to take action to end the scourge of violence against women by pledging to take part in 16 days of action each November with #WhiteRibbonDay and ending on Human Rights Day in December.
Many of Bucks WIs are in contact with their local Women’s Refuge and are providing financial and material support. During this difficult time if you wish to support the work and care that the Women’s Refuge provides then please make contact and find out what they need. The Science & Society Committee produced the May 2020 .pdf update (To download, click on icon below).
More information, too, at www.thewi.org.uk/home/coronavirus/Domestic-Violence-Support
In 2018, an estimated 1.3 million women across the UK experienced violence, including domestic violence, rape, forced marriage, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse and harassment. We are encouraging members to take action to end the scourge of violence against women by pledging to take part in 16 days of action each November with #WhiteRibbonDay and ending on Human Rights Day in December.
Many of Bucks WIs are in contact with their local Women’s Refuge and are providing financial and material support. During this difficult time if you wish to support the work and care that the Women’s Refuge provides then please make contact and find out what they need. The Science & Society Committee produced the May 2020 .pdf update (To download, click on icon below).
More information, too, at www.thewi.org.uk/home/coronavirus/Domestic-Violence-Support
| domestic_abuse_update_may_2020.pdf |
Campaign Action Pack
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
If you would like to know more about the campaign and discover ways to participate, please download the action pack below.
| wi_actionpack_nomoreviolenceagainstwomen.pdf |
END PLASTIC SOUP - "Microplastic fibres are shed from synthetic clothing with every wash and are the main contributors to microplastic contamination of the oceans. The NFWI calls on Government and industry to research and develop innovative solutions to this problem in order to stop the accumulation of microplastic fibres in our oceans"
Ashley Green WI, Buckinghamshire Federation
Our Wash and Wear Well checklist outlines small ways you can make a difference in your own life. To find out more, download the checklist.
Ashley Green WI, Buckinghamshire Federation
Our Wash and Wear Well checklist outlines small ways you can make a difference in your own life. To find out more, download the checklist.
Throughout the WI’s 105 year history, members have sought to reach out to others in their communities and further afield, offering a chance for women to come together to make friends, learn new skills and work for change on the issues that matter to them.
While tackling loneliness has always been part of the WI’s ethos, members brought it to the forefront of WI’s national campaigning agenda with the launch of our Link Together campaign in 2017. To help ensure people get the support they need, the campaign calls on members to work alongside health and social care providers, and raise awareness of the causes and impacts of loneliness.
While tackling loneliness has always been part of the WI’s ethos, members brought it to the forefront of WI’s national campaigning agenda with the launch of our Link Together campaign in 2017. To help ensure people get the support they need, the campaign calls on members to work alongside health and social care providers, and raise awareness of the causes and impacts of loneliness.
COVID-19: staying connected while staying apart
During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to take steps to look after yourself and others if you can. With self-isolation and social distancing measures in place, more of us may now feel lonely and for those who are already vulnerable, existing feelings of loneliness may be exacerbated. Here are some ideas of things you can do to support your well-being and the people around you:
You could also consider joining the British Red Cross Community Reserve Volunteers, a network which is safely supporting people in any way needed. As long as you are 18 or above, anyone can sign up – no specialist skills are needed.
If you are clinically trained and would like to volunteer to help, contact your local hospital trust or visit the NHS website.
- Stay connected with others. Without the ability to meet face-to-face, think about how you can keep in touch with friends and family by phone, video calls, email or messaging.For advice and guidance on setting up online groups to keep your WI connected, and moving your meetings online, visit My WI.
It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same access to technology, so try to consider other ways you could reach out to them, such as posting a note through their letterbox. Alternatively, join the WI pen pal exchange programme, run by WI Member Valerie Hughes. Members can recommend friends who might not have access to a computer. Join the UWI Pen Pal Exchange Facebook group here. - Look out for people in your community. Government advice is that you should only leave the house for one of four reasons, which include providing care or help to a vulnerable person. WI members are well connected in their communities, so you may already know who might need the extra help in your area. If you are well and are not considered vulnerable, you could collect groceries, medication or other essential items for someone who is self-isolating or a key worker and leave them on their doorstep. Or, maybe you know of someone that could use your help placing an online order for groceries? Don’t forget to ask others for help as well if you need it.It’s important to remember that even when helping others, make sure you are doing this safely and in line with Government advice.
- Volunteer with local charities or national schemes. Lots of local organisations providing support are stretched and under pressure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but there are there plenty of ways you can help. To search for opportunities near you visit Do-it, the UK’s national volunteering database, or get in touch with your local volunteer centre in England or Wales. If you’d like to volunteer your professional skills from home, take a look at Reach Volunteering – an organisation linking charities to people with the expertise they need to support them through these challenging times.
You could also consider joining the British Red Cross Community Reserve Volunteers, a network which is safely supporting people in any way needed. As long as you are 18 or above, anyone can sign up – no specialist skills are needed.
If you are clinically trained and would like to volunteer to help, contact your local hospital trust or visit the NHS website.
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Charity No: 228057
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