Make a difference in your community and beyond - WI campaigns have played a key role in the social fabric of the nation.  Early campaigns stemmed from the upheaval of the First & Second World Wars.  By joining us, you will be a member of a unique organisation that gives every member the opportunity to campaign and make a difference on the issues that matter to them.

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It was started in 1897 by Mrs Adelaide Hoodless a Canadian Farmer's wife living in Stoney Creek.  Her first baby had died largely she thought by her own ignorance of hygiene and infant feeding so she gave a talk at the 'Saltfleet Farmer's Institute', urging that lectures and demonstrations should be made available to all women in domestic science and home-making.  She suggested that the formation of a group to educate women to learn household/homecraft subjects would be a great boon to everyone. 

The Women's Institute Movement in Britain started in 1915. During the First World War, it was formed to encourage countrywomen to get involved in growing and preserving food to help to increase the supply of food to the war-torn nation.

The WI in the UK celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has 220,000 members in around 6,300 WIs. 

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