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 5 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 August 2025, the Charity has launched an urgent appeal for nappies and wipes for newborns as their nappy banks across London have run out of supplies. If you can donate, please do.
In March 2025 our Knitting & Crochet Group once again knitted and crocheted over 50 Easter chicks for Royal Trinity Hospice and helped 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. We raised over £150 for Refuge, the charity supporting women and children fleeing abusive relationships.
Our most recently nominated charity for funds raised at our monthly meetings is 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
Earlier this year, the NFWI launched its new campaign 'Fair Green Future'
As one of the biggest challenges we face, Climate Change 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 exploring and taking action on:
- Climate inequality
- Protecting the public mandate for climate change
- Promoting public participation in climate solutions
Our Climate Ambassador attended the Mass Lobby on 9th July 2025. You can read her updates in our monthly newsletter.
We encourage members to 'reduce, reuse, recycle.' Battersea WI is a member of the Work & Play Scrapstore, so all members can take advantage of repurposing materials that would otherwise go to landfill.
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 last year for the Standing with Giants D-Day commemoration project This year, our craft group made poppies for the community initiative inspired by Peacock Women's Institute (WI), Corsham.
