WMFWI : West Midlands Federation of Women's Institutes

23/08/2026

As we approach the week of River Action, what activities have you planned to help clean up our rivers? Perhaps an email to your MP? Or something more substantial? Send in your photos to the Cog.

"People in the midlands who don't live by the sea, locals know what's happening and they protect their children"

23/08/2026

Less than two weeks!!

Only 2 weeks left to submit your resolution!

This is your chance to highlight an issue you are concerned about and put forward your ideas about what you would like to see the WI campaign on from next year.

You can find the submission form, and all the information you need about the resolution process here: https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/news-and-actions/submit-a-resolution-make-a-change-202627

The deadline for submissions to be sent to your federation is 1 September. Get in touch with us if you need more info - [email protected]

23/08/2026

Register for Restart a Heart Live

The annual public awareness live-stream event Restart a Heart Live is back on 1 October 2026. It aims to offer CPR familiarisation to as many people as possible by live streaming sessions to living rooms, classrooms and workplaces. Delivered by Resuscitation Council UK, Save a Life Cymru and other partners, the goal is to train one million people across the UK by 2027.

To join the event, register your interest at www.restartaheart.live so that you can receive email updates and reminders of the event and also the live link on 1 October. You can register as an individual, family or community group. A timetable of events will be available closer to the time.

Earlier this year, NFWI-Wales and Save a Life Cymru launched a CPR video for members. The video is available to watch here: https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/campaigns/bystanders-can-be-lifesavers

Please help us share the video widely.

Achub Bywyd Cymru / Save a Life Cymru

23/08/2026

We welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to offer all rough sleepers housing over Christmas. WI members are calling for action to support homeless women through our new campaign, launching soon.

Vulnerable women are often invisible in official figures because they rarely sleep rough. Many spend nights walking, sofa surfing, or remaining with abusive partners rather than sleeping on the streets. The first step must be to count everyone experiencing homelessness.

We are encouraging WI members to write to their local council and urge them to participate in the Rough Sleeping Women's Census. Find out more about the census at Women’s Rough Sleeping Census - Solace Womens Aid and you can contact the Public Affairs team for a letter you can send to your local council.

Contact us at [email protected]

Photo - Solace Women's Aid

Crisis Action

23/08/2026

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Innovation to lead our Innovation team.

£62,151 (London)
£53,459 (Outer London)
Hybrid, with one day a week at our London, Oxfordshire or Wales office

Leading innovation across the organisation, you will be responsible for developing and delivering a strategy to grow our movement, to increase our membership and reach whilst ensuring we continue to reflect the needs and aspirations of women. You will oversee research into women’s evolving needs and preferences, whilst testing approaches with new external audiences to maximise our relevance, diversity and inclusivity.
At the same time, you will actively embed innovation into strategy and decision-making in all areas, constantly find new ways to reach underrepresented women and build a wealth of data to support your recommendations. You will lead transformation across the organisation by championing change, creativity and a forward-thinking strategy that ensures the continued growth for the WI.

How to apply:
For further information about this Head of Innovation role, please download the recruitment pack which includes the job description and person specification: https://www.thewi.org.uk/jobs/head-of-innovation

Closing date:
Thursday 3 September 2026

Interview dates:
First round (virtual): 11 September 2026
Second round (in-person): 15 September 2026

10/08/2026

Last year we made mosaic bee baths, Robin is making good use of it in this heat.

08/08/2026

Only 1 month left to submit your resolution!

This is your chance to highlight an issue you are concerned about and put forward your ideas about what you would like to see the WI campaign on from next year.

You can find the submission form, and all the information you need about the resolution process here: https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/news-and-actions/submit-a-resolution-make-a-change-202627

The deadline for submissions to be sent to your federation is 1 September. Get in touch with us if you need more info [email protected]

08/08/2026

The WI Week of River Action starts in one month, and it's the most important one yet!

The government has promised a once-in-a-generation reform to the water system in England and Wales. We are encouraging WI members to support us in calling for strong water reform and strong action on microplastics in their communities and in Westminster by holding stunts or events in their communities and by speaking to their MP.

Check out our MP engagement guide here: https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/current-campaigns/clean-rivers-for-people-and-wildlife/wi-week-of-river-action-toolkit

08/08/2026

Drum roll, please… the results are in!

🎉 15.04 MILLION PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE BIG LUNCH & BIG HELP OUT THIS YEAR! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who shared food or lent a hand, helping bring communities together across the UK. Together, we've sparked new friendships, inspired more volunteering and helped people feel less lonely.

A massive thank you to all the WIs which held a Big Lunch & a Big Help Out event this year! 💚

04/08/2026

Make your voice heard about community life in the UK

We know WI members are at the heart of our communities up and down the UK, Wales, and the islands; but too often our voices aren't heard or heeded by those making decisions or shaping policy.

That's why NFWI is supporting the National Conversation - one of the biggest listening surveys in a generation, asking one simple question: what kind of country and community do you want to live in?

It's independent, run by Nuffield College, University of Oxford. It's anonymous. And it takes just 12 minutes. The answers will shape the work of the Independent Commission on Community & Cohesion, co-chaired by Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas.

We're supporting the National Conversation because the WI's community deserves to be heard. Please take part today.

Please make sure you have your say by completing the survey before the end of August → https://www.national-conversation.ox.ac.uk/?lang=en&channel=thewi&utm_source=thewi&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=national_conversation&utm_id=thewi&utm_content=en