WI members leave bouquets in villages to spread happiness to strangers

Women’s Institute members left bouquets in bus shelters and on public benches in Moulton and Whaplode for strangers, in a bid to spread happiness.

The effort last Friday (May 5) – National Flower Arranging Day – was part of the Lonely Bouquet campaign promoted by the national Women’s Institute (WI) movement.

Ex-Whaplode WI president Jacki Ford, who credits WI with helping her recover following a nervous breakdown, was supported by fellow members when she suggested they take part.

She said: “I think the campaign really struck a chord with me because I just imagined a few years ago when I was quite low how nice it would have been to stumble across a bunch of flowers.

“We weren’t asking people who found them to do anything, they didn’t have to engage or commit to anything. I put my phone number on just in case anybody wanted to know more about WI or wanted that  human contact.
“I had a call from one lady to say she had picked one up and it made a difference to her because she was having some issues going on. It was so good to know it had cheered up somebody’s day.”

Even now, not all of Mrs Ford’s WI group know that when she joined she was recovering from a nervous breakdown, which she attributes to the pressure of her job as a social worker.

That was 2010, and Mrs Ford (62), of Moulton Eaugate, decided upon early retirement, but living in a rural area, the eldest of her seven children having just left home and suddenly not having her busy job to think about, created its own challenges.

She said: “At the time I was finding it very difficult to talk to people and it would have been very easy to just become a recluse. My friend basically strong-armed me into going along to WI.
“Everyone was very welcoming and very supportive. It was something that made me leave the house but didn’t put any pressure on me. For many months I’d go along, just listen to the speaker and leave, but last year I was president.”

The national WI website said: “The idea of the Lonely Bouquet is to spread a little joy by making a small bouquet, or even just a single bloom, and leaving it somewhere for a random stranger to find. Last year 60,000 bouquets were made and distributed.”

This week is national Mental Health Awareness Week.
The Mental Health Foundation said: “If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse, or you’re worried about someone you know, help is available. You’re not alone; talk to someone you trust. Sharing a problem is often the first step to recovery.”

To find out more about Whaplode WI, contact Mrs Ford on 01406 380777.