Spalding and Fulney Women’s Institute hopes to break stereotype and attract younger members
A group leader hopes to encourage younger people to join the women’s institute – and stresses it’s not all ‘jams and Jerusalem’.
Spalding and Fulney Women’s Institute President, Lesely Ducker, is on a mission to ditch the stereotype many individuals associate with the group.
The Spalding resident hopes to attract a younger generation to bring a new perspective to the group – which currently has 22 members.
Lesley has been part of the local W.I for seven years and took over the role of President three years ago. She said: “I got into the group through a friend who used to encourage me to come along to the coffee mornings.
“I include myself when I say this, people often think a Women’s Institute is just jams and Jerusalem, and that it’s something for the older generation who enjoy knitting and making jams.
“I’m trying to break that stereotype because once people come and see what we do, they realise it’s not like that at all.”
The Spalding and Fulney Women’s Institute was established in 1936 – and has allowed generations of women to make friends - as well as supporting the community.
As part of her role, Lesley is responsible for planning and leading meetings along with organising fun activities for members, such as coffee mornings, speaker events, lunches, craft days and more.
The group currently has members ranging from 40 years-old to ladies in their 80s – but Lesley is looking to attract younger people to have a mixed variety.
She added: “The idea of the group is for people to just enjoy themselves – everyone who wants to have some fun and meet new people is welcome.
“We would love to attract all ages and younger people would help contribute a different perspective to the group.
“Even if you have a nice circle of friends, some people will often go home to an empty house, so by going to the W.I and meeting other people in similar situations and distracting your mind, I think is a really good thing – when my partner passed away it certainly did me a lot of good.”
The Spalding and Fulney meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at Spalding Services Club on High Street from 7.30pm.