Campaigns and Charities
The NFWI and local Federations take campaigns to the heart of Government and provide action packs online to local WIs, enabling them to take forward and participate in campaigns should they so wish.
For the latest on NFWI campaigns, please visit their website https://www.thewi.org.uk/
Our Aims
Many of our members are involved with local charities and community groups. We offer help and support to their activities where we can. Our monthly meetings always include a raffle. The money raised goes to a local charity nominated by our members.
Our local Community
Battersea WI is a regular supporter of Little Village , a London based charity supporting families with children under five living in poverty. One of their main hubs is in Wandsworth. Our Knitting & Crochet Group regularly makes babies and children's clothing items to donate to them. In March we are collecting toiletries for treats for Mothers' Month.
In March 2026 our Knitting & Crochet Group will once again be supplying knitted and crocheted Easter chicks to Royal Trinity Hospice and help fill them with crème eggs for sale in local shops and schools at Easter.
In April 2025 we held a belated celebration of International Women's Day with an afternoon of events at Battersea Arts Centre raising over £150 for Refuge, the charity supporting women and children fleeing abusive relationships.
Raffle monies have also been donated to Carney's Community a social enterprise set up to support all young people, in particular those who’ve had adverse childhood experiences, face poverty, are in the care system, impacted by gun and knife crime, excluded from school or involved in the criminal justice system.
Climate Change
In July 2025 the NFWI launched its climate campaign 'Fair Green Future'
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and it doesn’t affect everyone equally. In particular, women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds bear the brunt of climate impacts, yet are left out of the decisions meant to support them. Meanwhile, some voices are seeking to divide the public climate debate and put our crucial progress at risk. We are taking action on climate inequality and promoting public participation in climate solutions starting at a local level.
Our Climate Ambassador attended the Climate Coalition Mass Lobby last year and regularly attends the Wandsworth Sustainability Network as well as being a member of local environmental interest groups such as the Battersea Society's Open Spaces Committee (including blogs about sustainability and Citizen Science) as well as the Battersea Team for Climate Change Action. You can read updates in our monthly newsletter.
Battersea WI is a member of the Work & Play Scrapstore, enabling members to take advantage of repurposing materials that would otherwise go to landfill.
In February 2026 we relaunched our Foraging and Fruit Gathering Group as Green Living, Sustainability and Foraging, sharing green living tips as well as days out to learn more about our local environment with organisations like London Park City.
End Violence Against Women and Girls - 16 days of activism against gender based violence
This annual campaign runs from 25th November - 10th December every year. Last year we supported the Surrey Federation of Women's Institutes campaign, making a selection of up cycled orange flowers for a display outside SFWI HQ. A couple of our members also took part in an evening group walk in Battersea organised by Wandsworth Council's Community Safety Partnership. This year's events include a White Ribbon Torch Parade in Roehampton, free training, webinars and forums. Wandsworth Borough's One Stop Shops provide a weekly drop-in service offering free, discrete support, advice and information concerning domestic abuse, stalking and sexual violence. No appointment necessary. Battersea One Stop Shop is every Monday (excluding bank holidays) from 10-12 noon at St. Mark’s, Battersea Rise, SW11 1EJ (entrance on Boutflower Road) - see map for Battersea One Stop Shop
Poppy appeals
Inspired by the poppies we made in 2024 year for the Standing with Giants D-Day commemoration project in 2025, our craft group made poppies for the community initiative inspired by Peacock Women's Institute (WI), Corsham In 2026, Standing with Giants is planning the restoration of the plinths that surround the soldier storage crates. Once again they have asked WI members to craft additional poppies for their display.
- There is no specific pattern or size required — members are welcome to knit or crochet in any style they choose. Click for Poppy-Patterns
- Poppies should be red (any shade of red is absolutely fine)
- Where possible, pure acrylic wool should be used as it offers the best colour retention for outdoor display. Sometimes referred to as solution-dyed acrylic, the dye is locked into the fibre during manufacture and is much more fade-resistant
