Black History Month 2026

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Black History Month 2026 focuses on the theme of 'Honouring our Communities'.  WAY's peer support community includes people who have been widowed young from all walks of life, all cultures and all religions - everybody widowed before the age of 51 is welcome. 

WAY's Cultural Diversity Group will be celebrating WAY's diverse community throughout October with some activities including a quiz (open to all), an online writing workshop (member-only) and a social Zoom (member-only) - we hope everyone who wishes to can join in and honour their community! 

South Asian Heritage Month 2026

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WAY’s Cultural Diversity Working Group are helping WAY members to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month by raising awareness of some of the themes around being widowed, young and from a South Asian community. 

On Thursday 16^th July, WAY Ambassador and Cultural Diversity Working Group volunteer, Selina hosted  an online panel discussion with three WAY members, Dulari, Rammi and Shalini around the themes of “Faith, Judgement and Relationships”.  

If you missed the opportunity to join on the night, you can listen to the recording by clicking the link below. 

 

If you would like to share your experiences of being widowed young as a South Asian, we would love to hear from you: 

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To find out more about WAY's work around cultural diversity, please read on: 

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As an organisation, WAY strives to be fully inclusive. WAY’s members come from a very wide range of diverse backgrounds and part of WAY’s Strategic Plan is to ensure that the charity is able to fully support those members and make sure that those considering joining WAY’s community know that they are welcome. 
WAY members know that bereavement and grieving is a very personal and unique experience, however different cultures and ethnicities may have common themes, rituals and expectations.  

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WAY has a Cultural Diversity Working Group which brings members and volunteers together with staff and trustees to discuss how to celebrate and support its community’s diversity.  Some of the group’s members have shared their stories below.

Read on to learn more about what WAY can bring, to help you in what is the most difficult of times.

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Hear from our members

• Shalini has spoken openly about being a Hindu widow, mental health, grief and empowerment through the arts.
• International Widows Day highlights the discrimination that many widows face around the world. Sweena shared her story.
• Ruba has shared some of the challenges of being widowed and young within the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan
• Read WAY Member, Nimisha Sharma's blog, Being propelled into life
• WAY volunteer Sunita tells us why she volunteers and set up a Culturally and Ethnically Diverse subgroup for members
• WAY volunteer Johanna shares the story of how she navigated the cultural challenges of being widowed and Black 
• WAY member Selina shares her story to mark Black History Month 2023
• WAY member Shalini explains how her Indian heritage and her Hindu faith have affected her bereavement journey since her husband died, and how she will be celebrating Diwali by looking for light and happiness…

We work closely with our Cultural Diversity Working Group to set up an exciting and engaging programme of events throughout Black History Month, including history walks, book discussions, Instagram Lives and themed quizzes. 

As an organisation, WAY strives to be fully inclusive. WAY’s members come from a very wide range of diverse backgrounds and part of WAY’s Strategic Plan is to ensure that the charity is able to fully support those members and make sure that those considering joining WAY’s community know that they are welcome. 

Joining WAY

When you join WAY you’ll have access to a community of other widowed people who understand what you are going through. We also have a a Culturally and Ethnically Diverse subgroup so that members can discuss both their loss and any more specific cultural issues arising from their bereavement. 

You will also be able to access events organised across the UK, a telephone support line offering counselling, legal and financial support, a subscription to our members magazine and helpful resources to help you understand your loss.

We are sorry you or a loved one needs to be here, but we all understand how difficult these times can be and we’re here for when you are ready.

Join WAY