THE President welcomed everyone to the March meeting, including two new members. The business included an appeal for some volunteers to come onto Committee, as we have two members retiring in May.

Federation outings and art days were announced and lists were out for the visit to Alcester and Hillers on Thursday, March 20. This was also the date of the Council meeting at No. 8, Pershore when Sheila Dibnah (wife of the late Fred), will be the speaker. Many other exciting future visits are planned - in April when we attend a bread making demonstration at Waitrose and a tour of the World War One VA Hospital at Cheltenham and a possible trip to Madresfield Court, near Malvern in May.

Margaret Nicklin gave a brief update of the craft group, which has been organised by Meg Archer with some of the young mums of the village. This is held in the Chapel Hall fortnightly. Several of our members have joined the group and it is hoped that at the next session they will be printing on fabric and eventually making cushions, bags or even clothes.

Maggie Dunsby gave out the dates of the Vale skittles and Dianne Stephens information on the next walk, which begins at Broadway Tower on Tuesday, March 18.

The NFWI are encouraging each WI to prepare a page exploring local social history from 1980 to 2015. This will mean delving into the Ashton WI archives and finding some interesting information and pictures. This is for a publication to celebrate the centenary of the National Federation of Women`s Institutes in 2015.

Items of toiletry and daily necessities were requested for the next meeting, to be donated to the Caring Hands in the Vale.

The speaker for the evening was then introduced – Helen Hurdman from Working World. This is a charitable venture Helen runs in Evesham for young adults with special educational needs. When realising that there was very little provision for adult clients who had reached the end of their time in education, she formed a small group of eight clients at a base at Woodlands, near Evesham Adventure Playground. She now has 32 clients who come to her and her seven volunteer helpers for typically two days in the week. The project is independent and mostly self-funding with grants from local government. Useful activities are run from the centre and clients learn useful skills for a home and work environment. These include cooking, shopping and serving in their own little café based on site. One of the money raising projects is packing, weighing and selling sweets, which can then be placed in offices, businesses and supermarkets. Helen was accompanied by Della and Sarah who enthusiastically told us of their social times and all the activities they enjoy taking part, such as swimming, zumba, singing, and theatre visits.

It was obvious that the Centre is doing a sterling job in supporting, building confidence and encouraging them to be more independent.

We were all very admiring of Helen’s dedication and work. She told us that the café is open to anyone Monday – Thursday from 10am to 2pm

Mollie Groom thanked Helen, Pauline and her team for the wonderful insight into this venture.

Working World can be contacted on 07966 92223.

Next months meeting will be Tuesday, April 1 and the speaker will be Lynn Hackles and The £2 that changed my Life. Visitors are welcome.

JEN CREESE