Autumn Council Meeting  -  Saturday 10 October 2026

Thank you to all those members that attended our Council Meeting this year.  It was great to see so many members and delegates and to welcome Jeryl Stone, NFWI Chair to our meeting.

If you were unable to attend the Council Meeting, we have uploaded the documents below, for your perusal.

Photo Credit: London Colney WI

Annual Council Meeting 2026

Autumn Campaigns Update...

NFWI have stepped up their campaign actions and it is important that we work closely with National to ensure our own neighbourhoods and communities can benefit from our endeavours, particularly on issues around climate change and sustainable living – matters that we know are close to you.

Here are some of the things we can all get involved in to make a difference

Week of River Action

The fourth annual Week of River Action will be held on 7 and 13 September, and it will be the most important yet. We need to hold government to account to make the reform as strong as possible, including getting serious on microplastic pollution! There are plenty of resources on MyWI, including the new MP Engagement Guide, to help you get involved and fight for our rivers.

Letter to MP campaign on microplastics

Ahead of this year's WI Week of River Action, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Microplastics will launch its second policy report, setting out recommendations for government action on microplastic pollution. We need to ensure microplastic pollution is not overlooked as part of upcoming water reforms.

Through the APPG on Microplastics, for which the NFWI provides the secretariat, parliamentarians and experts have been exploring what more can be done to prevent microplastics entering our waterways and environment. The report will bring together their findings and recommendations.  Keep an eye out on MyWI for ideas and guidance on how to make an impact locally.

Climate Change

As Britain comes to the end of its fifth heatwave this year, and we have seen catastrophic and devastating floods in Tibet, one thing is clear: the climate and nature crisis is no longer a warning about the future. It’s here now, and escalating. To that end, NFWI is supporting Zero Hour’s petition calling on the Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Secure Our Future.

The Prime Minister is already feeling the heat from corporate lobbyists and unions who want him to scrap net zero and drill in the North Sea. We face a choice: carry on with business as usual or seize the moment to deliver real change.

The heat is on, and Britain can't afford another false start. Help us make sure our Prime Minister on the side of people, not polluters. Head to zerohour.uk/andy to sign the petition today.

Upcoming guidance on public loos

Since June, NFWI have been working on a campaign guide for WI members to provide them with everything they need to campaign on this resolution in their communities. The guide is now available to download on My WI. You will also be able to request hard copies of the guide. Head to the Current Campaigns page on My WI to see what the latest is.

No Woman Without a Home – campaign

When we think of homelessness, we often picture rough sleeping. But for many women, homelessness is hidden. It can mean sofa surfing, moving between temporary accommodation, living in unsafe housing, or staying in an abusive relationship because there is nowhere else to go. As a result, many women experiencing homelessness remain invisible and unsupported.

NFWI have set out 3 campaign asks:

1. Keep Her Home: Change the default response to domestic abuse so that, wherever it is safe to do so, and required, women and children can remain in their homes.

2. Keep Her Safe: Every Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) should trigger an automatic housing support assessment, including:

• security improvements and lock changes
• sanctuary measures
• tenancy, mortgage and legal advice
• practical support to help women remain safely at home.

3. Count Her to Prevent It: Campaign for the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census to be mandatory for local authorities.

We believe these priorities have the potential to create meaningful and lasting change for women and girls across the country, helping to prevent homelessness, improve access to support services, and ensure that no woman is forced to choose between abuse and a roof over her head.

Keep an eye on the Current Campaigns page on My WI over the next few weeks to find the campaign pack, ways to contribute and how we can all make a real difference.

Jackie Westlake, OBE

Campaigns & Resolutions Officer

Autumn Council Meeting  -  Saturday 11 October 2025

Thank you to all those members that attended our Council Meeting this year.  It was great to see so many members and delegates.

If you were unable to attend the Council Meeting, we have uploaded the documents below, for your perusal.

Autumn Council Meeting 2025

Hertfordshire Institutes Celebrate 110th WI Day at English Heritage's Audley End House & Gardens

In partnership with English Heritage, Hertfordshire Federation, Essex Federation, Cambridgeshire Federation and Suffolk West Federation, the WI took over Audley End House & Gardens for WI Day 2025. We were fortunate to have free flow access to the house and garden included, along with a number of house tours.

We wish to thank Ed Welch and his fantastic team of staff and volunteers who truly made it an enjoyable and memorable day.  We appreciate all your hard work!

Hertfordshire Institutes Celebrate 110th WI Day at English Heritage's Audley End House & Gardens, Saffron Walden

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 1

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 2

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 3

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 4

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 5

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 6

Hertfordshire Institutes' Pennants Part 7

Hertfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes Pennants

Thank you to all the institutes that contributed a pennant for our bunting.  Like the women that made them, they are creative, collaborative and display what talented women we are.  We were amazed by the creativity of the ideas used on the pennants
to represent each Institute’s village or area and the quality of the workmanship was incredible.

We look forward to reusing the bunting at many of our future events.

We raised £430.00 to Great Ormond Street Hospital's Children's Cancer Centre.  Thank you to everyone that took part and look out for this event next Summer.