Chair's Letter - April 2025

Welcome to the April newsletter. Such a lovely time of the year. Thank you, Oxfordshire WIs who rose to the challenge and made an OFWI Chair (well-padded with reasonable legs) very happy! We had a record number of delegates and observers attend the OFWI Annual Meeting at Worton Hall on the 19 March. It is a wonderful experience to stand on the stage and see so many WI members gathered together. Certainly a force to be reckoned with!

May I thank those Trustees who have taken on the mantle

of two years service on the Board of Trustees. May I thank those that have stood down, for the time and dedication given. Jane Finnerty has stepped down from being a Trustee,

but continues to be a WI Adviser, Safeguarding Officer and supporter of the WI. As I said at Worton Hall, if all members could look at offering two years to an OFWI sub-committee or

the Board, this would ensure the longevity of the Federation and the same must be said for our WI committees. It can be a job for life, but equally two years would be brilliant and allows

both WIs and the Federation to grow and change and meet the need of our members.

I would now like to update you on the Denman Grant Funding Scheme. In January 2024 the Learning Hub was launched and I know that many of us have enjoyed the courses the

Learning Hub has to offer. The Learning Hub is funded via the money from the sale of Denman. To further our learning opportunities, the Denman Grant Funding Scheme, again

funded from the sale of Denman, was launched last November.

All Federations have been invited to apply for the newly established grants which is an

initiative designed to support Federations in delivering educational opportunities that align with our values. The scheme has been created to provide funding for projects that foster personal and professional development, education and skill-building for WI members. This targeted financial support aims to empower Federations to undertake projects that enhance the educational experience of our members, for example, through workshops and events. So, a little project group from the Oxfordshire trustees is beavering away in the background to put an application together to apply for a grant to undertake educational opportunities for

our members in Oxfordshire. Watch this space – I will keep you informed about our progress.

In the meantime, please have a look at Oxfordshire Inspires or visit the OFWI website to find out about all the wonderful events that have been planned by our sub-committees both to learn new skills and to foster fun and friendship – such important aspects of our membership.

With love and best wishes.

Tracy

Tracy Strain

OFWI Chair

01235 765285

tracy.strain@oxfordshirewi.co.uk