It’s not all home-made jam and cakes for the women of Forest Gate Women’s Institute (WI).

This mould-breaking Women’s Institute, which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, has been an inspiration for women like Joanne Deane who, when a friend suggested she join three years ago, initially thought “absolutely no way”. She felt she did not fit the stereotype for membership: she was single, not a Christian and didn’t bake!

However, she was persuaded to go along as a guest and was pleasantly surprised at what she experienced.

She totally changed her mind and was impressed with the different activities and their support of various charities. Joanne was relieved as a non-cook that she was not expected to bake! She joined.

Following the pandemic and a bereavement, Joanne really appreciated the enormous support she got from three members. Most of her contacts and connections were all over the country and she was not able to see them during lockdown. The WI provided Joanne with local friendship groups which she had not had before.

Like most organisations in the last 18 months, Forest Gate WI meet via zoom. Nevertheless, the WI has flourished. It is an independent charity and is funded by a low cost annual membership subscription of £34 (Pandemic fee).

Wendy Levis has also been a member of Forest Gate WI for about three years and has become a committee member.

Like Joanne, Wendy’s friends lived out of London and she did not have any local connections. The WI seemed to be a good way to expand her network locally.

Each month, Forest Gate WI has different speakers as varied as a drag artist, a runner up on Master Chef and someone who spoke about their mental health.

One charity they support is the Magpie Project providing a “safe and fun place for mums and under-fives suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation.”

The Forest Gate WI is actively seeking to increase diversity with younger women and people from different ethnic groups and they meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 7.15pm to 9.30pm.

Contact: website, email, Twitter, Facebook.

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