Why Join the SWI
The Scottish Womens' Institute is a community group that aims to provide support and fellowship for its members, who can often feel isolated in today's society. We are an inclusive and welcoming organisation, often serving as an introduction into the broader community for those recently moving to the area. Whilst we do hold competitions and classes on home-baking, horticulture and handicrafts, it is by no means the primary focus. Each meeting will normally have a guest speaker and where appropriate associated activities - everything from Apiary (bee-keeping) to Zumba, so if the subject for this meeting doesn't take your fancy, don't worry - the next one will be different again...
... and even if you're not interested in the evening's talk, there is always an opportunity for a cup of tea and a chat.
WHAT WE DO
It's not just...
It would be much easier to talk about what we don't do...
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Maybe you like amateur dramatics? We've had speakers from the local theatre groups, organised trips to the theatre, been taught magic tricks. We have even put on our own shows!
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Do you want to be more active? We've had crazy golf evenings, tried walking football and netball, we've given yoga, jazzercise and zumba a go, we've also been known to go on the occasional light hike (although the cafe/pub at the end of the route normally features heavily!
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Maybe you want to visit take the opportunity to learn more about Scotland? We've had summer outings to the Kelpies, had VIP tours of the Royal Yacht Britannia, visited a number of heritage sites and of course the bonny banks of Loch Lomond.
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Perhaps handicrafts and homebaking is your passion? Not only do we have regular competitions and shows for these skills, but if you have a surplus of enthusiasm, but maybe not quite the skills to match we also have a whole community who are more than happy to help, support and pass on many lifetimes' knowledge.
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Perhaps life-long learning leaps out at you? We have visiting guest speakers from all walks of life, whether they are artists, activists, or accountants they offer unique insights into their areas of interest and might just spark a new interest or hobby in you!
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This is just a flavour of what lies in store for you at your local SWI, but even if nothing immediately leaps off the page at you, don't despair. Each year's programme is developed in conjunction with our own members, if you have a particular interest that you'd like to share, or encourage the institute to investigate further - just let us know, and it could well be in the programme in a few months time!