Welcome to the Northumberland Federation
– a thriving and vibrant Federation
Whether you are a member, thinking of joining us or just visiting the region, I would like to welcome you to Northumberland.
Northumberland is one of the least known and most unspoilt regions in England. It contains the Cheviot Hills reaching to the Scottish Borders, some 50 miles of coastline of ‘outstanding natural beauty’ and, of course, Hadrian’s Wall, Holy Island and the Farnes.
The Northumberland Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) was formed in 1917 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.
Since then the organisation’s aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK.
The Northumberland Federation of WIs celebrated its centenary in 2017.
The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
The WI is based on the ideals of fellowship, truth, tolerance and justice. The organisation is non-sectarian and non-party political. WIs are charitable and everything they do must be consistent with that special legal status.
Members and counting
We now have 111 WIs around the Federation with membership numbers ranging from 9 to 90.
Latest News
Resolutions 2021 – Time to make your choice
Deadline 18 January 2021 The shortlist of resolutions for the 2020/21 process has now been published on the NFWI website and on My WI along with a range of resources to support members in making their individual selections. You can access the resources here. The...
Candlelight Vigil
As part of our No More Violence campaign, National have been asking WI members to take part in the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from 25 November – 10 December. On 9 December at 6pm, we are asking WI members to hold a candlelight vigil from their...
Our Chairman’s Christmas Message – December 2020
At the end of what can only be described as the strangest of years I wanted to write a more personal message to all the members of Northumberland Federation. With the exception of some of our members who do remember the wartime years, for most of us this has been the...
Craft Committee – November 2020 Update
Here is a Winter competition for all members of Northumberland Federation of WIs. As it looks like the wearing of facemasks will continue for the foreseeable future, the Federation is launching a craft competition to: ‘Make a mask for Marj’ To be worn by the...
Upcoming Events
Our Next Event
We run events at Cresswell House, our Federation office in Seaton Burn as well as around the Federation.
From walking netball, to sugar-craft, join us for a talk on Claude Monet, or support the campaign to reduce plastic in our seas.
Each of our sub-committees run a variety of events which you can view by clicking one of the links below.
Alternatively you can view our events calendar here
Federation Board of Trustees Meeting
office Closed
December 8 @ 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
