Looking to make new friends, have fun and learn new things?

These are the three promised made by Stamford's Women's Institute (WI) - and they are currently welcoming new members.

But what is the Women's Institute?

In 1915, the WI set out to "give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community". Since then, their membership and ambitions have grown and, today, they are the largest women's organisation in the UK.

Stamford WI was founded in 2016 and its mantra has always been "to be welcoming and inclusive to all". They are a diverse group with young and old members alike. Founding committee members, Karen and Sally, have been members of this group since the start, and have always strived to make it a fun, friendly and interesting group - a safe place where like-minded people could come together to make friends. 

Now, the WI are far from the jam making, bun baking characters you will have seen in films such as 'Calendar Girls'.

The Stamford group meet at a local pub, The Danish Invader, and host a series of talks with community groups, covering topics such as mental health, charity work, art and crafts, the environment and much more - they even met the Lincolnshire Fire Service and learned about the good work undertaken by the emergency service team.

The group have also begun hosting a range of new events heading into 2023, beginning with their Sunday Walking Club, great for both retired and working women who want to make friends, keep fit, and explore the local area.

Their next meeting is on Wednesday 15 February at 7:30pm, so there has never been a better time to sign up.

At this meeting, the group will be joined by the Bourne-based charity, Don't Lose Hope, whose aim it is "to enhance the well-being of all members of our community by providing access to therapeutic and emotional support".

Find out more, including how to sign up, by visiting their website.