Campaigning for change: Democracy in action

April 2025

As part of WAY’s Stand up for Bereaved Families campaign, WAY trustee Gary wrote to his MP in Glasgow, which set in chain a series of meetings that have opened doors for WAY to talk to the Government. Gary takes up the story.

“When I first saw WAY’s call to contact our local MPs after last summer’s General Election, I decided to write to my MP John Grady. I thought: ‘even if nothing is to come of it, it’s worth getting more awareness out there about the struggles facing bereaved families like mine’. I used the template letter on WAY’s website and added my own story – it didn’t take more than five minutes before I was ready to hit send.

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In all honesty, I was quite surprised when I got the first contact back from John’s assistant. I was just really, really glad they wanted to talk to me. That initial exchange led to a video call, and that led to an in-person meeting in Glasgow with my MP John Grady, Scottish MSP Paul O’Kane and their staff earlier this year. Suddenly, my five-minute email had turned into a two-hour conversation! We talked about the cuts to bereavement benefits and the impact that had on me, as well as childcare costs and other challenges facing bereaved families.

I had never met an MP or MSP before then. I was quite nervous walking to the meeting in Glasgow, worrying that I should have worn a suit (I was wearing my best shirt and some smart jeans!). But I needn’t have worried. They were both sitting around a table eating Gregg’s pastries while they leaned in, asked questions and referenced details I’d mentioned at the start of the meeting. They weren’t just going through the motions: they were really listening.

They have promised to raise the issues we discussed with colleagues in Westminster and at Holyrood. And WAY has also now been invited to meet with Government representatives. It’s amazing that just sending out that one email has led to further meetings with people at the highest level. It’s been quite incredible.

It’s just proof that you never know what can happen from sending out one email. I know people might think, ‘Is there any point?,’ but this proves that politicians do listen. They might receive hundreds of emails, but yours might be the one that gets noticed, sparks the meeting and might eventually lead to change.”

Please help to be the change by writing to your own MP today.