Welcome to the Guernsey Islands Federation
The WI is a welcoming organisation where the view of each and every member is important. It provides an opportunity for shared experiences, making new friends, socialising, campaigning, learning new skills and sharing existing ones. In short the WI is whatever YOU want it to be.
It’s not just “Jam and Jerusalem”. Most WIs will offer home-made cake at their meetings and yes we do sing Jerusalem at our annual meeting but there’s also so much more on offer. It’s full of inspiring women with knowledge, skills and experiences to share.
Guernsey currently has 10 WI's and you can join any one of them, they are all a bit different to each other. If you would like to find out more about the WI, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our Organisation
Our Trustees Team, who are all WI members, manage the operation of the Federation which includes an active Arts and Homecrafts committee and Darts league.
CORRINA WALKER
St Saviours WI
Chair / WI Adviser
I joined St Saviours WI in 2013 as I love arts and home crafts and knew the WI would be a great place to meet like-minded women.
I want Guernsey WI to make a difference through education and active participation in promoting issues that matter to women and the local community. I moved to Guernsey in 2006 to run Beau Vallon Holiday apartments and recently have been part of the COVID Welcome team at the airport and harbour.
During my WI Advisor training I was inspired by the causes the WI have lobbied for in the past such as ‘Equal pay for Women’.Now I want to make sure the WI in Guernsey does the same for women in our community. Also Eileen Jones taught me how to bake a Victoria sponge without the peak in the middle- I will be forever grateful!
Email: chair@wiguernsey.org.uk, Tel : 01481 265888 / 07911 733092
SUE LAWRENCE
GY WI Vice Chairman
I joined GYWI 11 years ago and have been on the committee for nearly 2 years now. I love the friendship & camaraderie the WI offers and the unusual things we get up to.
I’m working full-time at the moment and thoroughly enjoy supply teaching at various primary schools as no two weeks are ever the same. Its fair to say I lead a busy life with two teenage daughters and a wonderful husband but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am a marathon runner and love sea swimming and try to get in 2-3 times a week if I can.
I’m sure we all love our own WI’s but it IS time to make some changes if we are to appeal to a younger demographic of women. Any support that WI members feel they are able to give to help the BoT achieve this goal would be very welcome.
Email: jackanory@cwgsy.net
ROSE POLLI
Sausmarez WI
I am married with 3 adult children and my hobbies mostly involve all sorts of crafts. I am looking forward to travelling again. I joined the WI in 1990 first Clos du Valle as they met during the day and I could take my youngest with me. My membership lapsed for a few years after I returned to work. Later I was a founder member of Sausmarez WI.
I have held various positions on both Clos du Valle and Sausmarez Committees and am currently on the Arts and Home Crafts Committee as well as a new member of Board of Trustees.
I look forward to the challenges ahead.
Email : rosemob@lobster.nu
DOT WILLIAMS
GY WI
I have been a member of GYWI for 14 years now, and have been a member of the committee for most of that time, including a stint as Treasurer.
I relish the great variety of different events and activities that the WI in Guernsey offers, both the Federation and within our WI group. I particularly enjoy the craft activities, entertaining meals out and the odd glass of fizz and fun with fellow members. I also help organise the WI Darts League and play in one of the GY teams - which should not be mistaken for any level of competence!
I enjoy the delights of living in Cobo and am married with two grown up children.
Fran Torode
St Johns
My WI life started in May 1989 as a founder member of the Clos Du Valle WI at the age of 32. I was a member there for 11 years until I went back to work full time and could no longer go to a morning Institute, so, I joined St John’s in 2000 and I’m still there.
I’m now also a member of the Manx Valkyries Virtual WI as well as a fan of the WI Learning Hub, most weeks I can be found doing a class or listening to a talk.
I’m now retired from my office admin job and have more time to also enjoy crafting as well as growing things for my hedge veg stall.
The WI is what you make it and the future is bright.
Jane Dilcock
Bailiwick Belles
I joined the Bailiwick Belles WI in November 2021 and have been an active team member since day one, It was a lucky day for me when the fact that a new WI was starting in Guernsey popped up on Facebook as I had been interested in joining the WI for many years but had never been ‘brave’ enough - the ad gave me the nudge I needed.
The WI has changed my life, its members old and new, island wide, have welcomed me, I have made many friends and have tried so many new activities and that has resulted in an increase of confidence in myself that I never thought possible.
I joined the Board of Trustees at the beginning of 2024.
My WI journey so far has been amazing and I am so glad I made that jump into the unknown.
Mel Roberts
Bailiwick Belles
My Wi journey started in November 2021 when I saw a post on Facebook for a new group starting – Bailiwick Belles WI. I had been looking for a new interest that involved crafting and also a way to make new friends. At this point I had never thought about joining WI – I thought I was too young!
I then joined the Bailiwick Belles committee January 2022 to help organise the monthly meetings and additional events throughout the year.
I have made more new friends than I thought possible, have learnt new skills and also things about myself! The WI has definitely opened up a new window of opportunity for me and I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage anyone to “give it a go”.
I am very hands on and always happy to help out where I can, so I joined the Board of Trustees at the beginning of 2024.
Friendship
The WI Vision
To create a world where women come together to learn, share skills and work together to become active citizens, influencing change to improve lives in their local, national and global communities.
We Connect Women
Our movement offers women of all ages and backgrounds a unique chance to come together and share experiences, tackling social isolation and building community cohesion.
We Support Women
We support women to learn, develop new skills and achieve their goals throughout their lives, building confidence and improving physical and mental wellbeing.
We Empower Women
We empower women to use their voice individually and collectively to achieve real changes on the issues that matter to them.
My WI
WI members have access to the MY WI site, which is full of information to make the most from your membership.
WI Newsletter
Women of all ages are welcome to visit any of the 10 local wi's to see what goes on. Each is different, just like their members.