We were welcomed by Mrs Sarah Phillips who introduced two guests, Anne Cottier and Leanne Urwin, who had come to talk to us about the resolution to be put the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) at the annual conference in London.

Leanne Urwin will be the Isle of Man representative at conference.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved and our visit to the goat farm was considered to have been a great success by all who were there.

In addition a photograph which was taken of us there had been put on the WI Facebook page in first position - fame at last!

Mrs Phillips told us that our annual outing in July will be to Sunset Lakes at Peel.

Two of our members, Mrs Phillips and Mrs Judy Rae, had both received Denman College bursaries, which could be used on the Isle of Man.

Mrs Phillips had chosen to go to Newcastle to take a quilting course and Mrs Rae had attended a First Aid course on the island. Both had enjoyed the experience although Mrs Phillips had found herself confronted with a huge, terrifying and baffling computerised sewing machine and a fearsome tutor and Mrs Rae, who was attempting to revive a dummy of a child, could not induce it to ’breathe’ no matter how hard she blew, had to have the assistance of an engineer who pointed out that the lungs and the mouth had not been connected, so resuscitation would be most unlikely until it was put right.

Mrs Phillips then handed over to Anne Cottier, who spoke about the resolution that is to be put to conference in November.

Every year each Federation sends a representative who votes on behalf of the members. Sixty resolutions are put forward and examined and five are short-listed always taking into account that the WI is a non-political and non-religious organisation. The aim is to benefit the community.

This year’s resolution states that the NFWI recognises parity between physical and mental health and that the stigma attached to discussing mental health problems means that there is little support.

Ms Cottier spoke most about mental health problems in children which can affect one child in 12.

She said that the government had put £1.25 billion into this area but the money is not reaching the right people.

As well as children, among the sufferers she mentioned were veterans with post-traumatic stress and new mothers with post-natal depression.

The WI can organise an awareness campaign but we need to know what else we can do to help.

Mrs Phillips made the point that everything depends on funding, which is out of our hands. Ms Cottier said that we can listen and talk about the problem.

It was agreed that the wording of the resolution was not well-constructed and we voted to give Leanne discretion with her vote as she will hear all the arguments for and against and also expert opinion so she will be better placed to make an informed judgement.

It was also pointed out that the resolution could be reformed or thrown out.

This was a thought-provoking evening for us but we shall have to wait until November to know the conclusion.

Our next meeting will be held at Arbory Methodist Chapel on June 14 at 7.15pm.

Sheena Gilbert