Young Derry widow highlights charity providing support to those who have lost their loved one

WAY- Widowed and Young- was founded 26 years ago by journalist Caroline Sarll, who was shocked to find that there was no support available for her sister when she was widowed at the age of 35. 

Since then, the charity has gone from strength to strength and now has more than 4,600 members across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Derry woman, Laura Doherty, who sadly lost her husband Chris two years ago when he suffered from cardiac arrest aged just 38, says the charity has been an incredible support.

The mum of two now acts as one of the area contacts for WAY Northern Ireland. Laura said: “Being a part of WAY has been a huge support to me since losing my husband in September 2021.

"There isn’t much support available for young widows and it is great to see so many people at the Big Picnic supporting each other.”

Laura pictured with her late husband Chris and their two sons, Archie and Max

Members of the charity WAY and their families and friends recently spread out their picnic blankets, opened up their picnic hampers and shared great food, drinks and fun at Botanic Gardens in Belfast.

The gathering of over 30 people on Saturday was part of WAY’s annual Big Picnic weekend, which included events at 38 of the most picturesque picnic spots across the UK – including Botanic Gardens.  

Following the Big Picnic weekend, WAY’s Chief Executive Stephanie Patrick said: “I was absolutely delighted to see so many Big Picnics taking place this year all across the UK – from Belfast to Norwich and from Aberdeen to the Channel Islands.

"It was great that the sun came out for many of the picnics too. WAY Widowed and Young’s annual big picnic events are such a great opportunity for young widowed people and their friends and family to get together and connect."

WAY supports anyone aged 50 or under who is overcoming the loss of a partner – whether they were married or not, with or without children, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender, race and religion.

It is a peer-to-peer support network run by volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.

Over the past 26 years, WAY has supported more than 14,000 young widows and widowers as they have adjusted to life after the death of their loved one.

Stephanie Patrick added: “We hope our Big Picnic weekend will help to show more young widows and widowers that there is support out there through WAY Widowed and Young’s peer support network from other people who understand exactly what it’s like to be widowed at a young age.”

You can find out more about WAY at www.widowedandyoung.org.uk or you can follow them on social media via Facebook: @widowedandyoung, Twitter: @WidowedAndYoung and Instagram: @widowedandyoung