Jerry Silvester takes a look at the modern day Women’s Institute

What comes to mind when you hear of the Women’s Institute or WI? Tea? Cake? OAPs knitting and moaning about their husbands? Or maybe you think it’s merely something that is somewhat extinct today, an institution that once existed but one which has steadily been made redundant in the ever-changing, ever-progressing climate in which we live. Whilst tea is probably still a prevalent part of this movement, these outdated assumptions about a long-standing community perhaps need and deserve a fresh pair of eyes.

The WI was founded in Britain in 1915, in order to encourage women to engage in growing and supplying food for a nation still damaged and fragile from the World War. The formative years for the WI were vital to implementing its core intentions of creating a better community through the solidarity of women and their skills and strengths. It is an organisation that is known for its wholesome role in providing women with educational and skill-based opportunities, that are mostly thought to be ‘traditionally feminine’ activities. With almost 220,000 members and approximately 6,300 groups in the UK, its place in society is still very active and desired. Proudly claiming to be absent from any political standing, they state that they base their ideals on ‘fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice’.