June: Children's Literacy

At Craft Club, Victoria showed members how to make wonderful earring display stands out of old picture frames and fabric. Why spend a fortune when you can upcycle? Step aside Kirsty Allsop!

 

turning these...

 

into this

The monthly meeting began with an impromptu photo session outside the vestry hall, to provide Helena with some new images to update our publicity leaflets with. Hopefully we can share her work at the next meeting.

The NFWI Resolution, Organ Donation – Time to Talk, which we voted to support at our May meeting, was passed at the AGM with a 98% majority vote.   

 

More information on how we as a WI and as individuals can support this can be found here: http://www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/84931/AM-Resolution-Briefing-Notes-Increasing-Organ-Donation-March-2014-web.pdf

And so on to our speaker!  Harriet Watson from Beanstalk spoke to us about the work they and their volunteers carry out to improve children’s literacy, through working in primary schools on a one-to-one basis with children who need help with their reading skills.  Our committee member, Jenny, also spoke about her experiences as a Beanstalk volunteer. 

If anyone is interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer, please go to http://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers  or contact us at Londonwestendwi@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to give you Harriet’s contact details.

June Happenings in the West End

Now that June's here, our next meeting is right around the corner. On the 19th of June Kusuma Barnett, Head of Volunteers at the British Museum, will come and regale us with her stories and insights about one our city's major attractions. Kusuma has worked with the British Museum for nearly twently years, and has recently been awarded an MBE for her efforts!

On Sunday June 17th at 12:15 there will be a "meet the neighbours" lunch at St.George Bloomsbury. Please come to this great opportunity to get to know your community, and bring food and drink!

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Oxfam Bookshop on 12 Bloomsbury Way is still encouraged to do so. An application can be downloaded here. Oxfam requires a minimum 4-hour-a-week commitment, but these can be arranged flexibly to best suit your schedule.

Anyone interested in completing their online Food Hygiene Course can find information here. The course requires a minimum of 8 hours learning and a 45-minute multiple choice exam. The WI will fund volunteers.

Keep in mind that our summer garden party is rapidly approaching! Please bring your ideas to the next meeting so we can start to get the ball rolling on our plans. Also remember that July's meeting will feature a talk from Richard Knight of Camden's Local Studies and Archives Centre, who will dazzle us with his knowledge of the St Giles and Bloomsbury areas.

That's all for now - we hope to see you all at 6:30 on June 19th at Dragon Hall!