Home Birds Virtual WI is a vibrant and welcoming community of women who meet online to share their hobbies, interests, and experiences. As we approach our first birthday, we’re proud to look back on a year of growth and friendship – and to invite you to join us online.
Home Birds was founded in response to the pandemic, which left many of us feeling isolated and disconnected. As someone with long-term health issues (ME and EDS), I knew it would take me longer than other people to get back to “normal”. I wanted to create a space where women in the same or a similar boat could come together and make friends without leaving home. That’s exactly what we’ve achieved! Our WI may be virtual, but the friendships are real.
One of the highlights of our first year has been the range of subgroups we’ve created. We have a craft club that meets twice a month, a book club (which has a monthly theme instead of a reading list), a podcast club, and a TV and film club. These clubs have been fantastic ways to get to know other members, as well as a way to schedule in time for our hobbies and interests.
Some of the biggest highlights for me have involved listening to speakers who would never have been able to come to see us in person. We’ve been joined by speakers from across the UK, but also two speakers who joined us from abroad: Belgium, and Ukraine.
Our Ukrainian speaker was a British photographer based in Kiev, where he Zoomed us from his flat. He had met President Zelenskyy and told us about his life before and during the war.
The benefits of online meetings have been numerous. Not only has it allowed us to connect from the comfort of our own homes, but it’s also offered flexibility for those with busy schedules or mobility issues. Plus, it provides a safe space for members to share and learn from each other without the pressure of meeting in person.
Our main meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 19:30
via Zoom. Our meetings include guest speakers, quizzes, activities, and whatever else our members like to suggest. All our subgroups are on Zoom too, though we are looking into meeting in person to do something special at some point. We welcome new members with open arms – we’d love to
meet you!
Visit our website at https://homebirdswi.wordpress.com or follow us on social media to learn more and get involved. Send us a message! Don’t forget to mention this article – we’re always curious to know how people found us.