Taking the plunge together: Emma and Poppy’s PGL adventures

February 2025

Recently, WAY member Emma and her daughter Poppy joined nearly 80 WAY members and children as part of an activity weekend at PGL Caythorpe near Grantham. Emma shares their experience…

“I have been a member of WAY Widowed and Young since 2021 after the sudden death of my husband. My daughter Poppy was 4 years old and still in pre-school at the time.

We went to our first WAY PGL activity weekend in 2022 – shortly before the first anniversary of my husband’s death – and we have been back every year since. In fact, Poppy starts nagging me about it every autumn now asking if it has been booked!

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She loves these weekends because she gets to try activities that she wouldn’t normally have the chance to do – and she makes new friends whilst doing it. This year’s adventures included canoeing, zip lining, rifle shooting, archery, orienteering, a giant swing, abseiling and a basic survivor course. 

After our first PGL trip, Poppy told me that she finds it helpful knowing that all the other children have experienced the death of a parent, just like her, even though the kids never seem to actually talk about what they’ve been through. Just knowing they are in the company of others like them is enough. 

For the adults, we get to chat to others who understand what we’re going through, whilst knowing that our children are in a safe environment. And sometimes we just like to talk about TV, work, laundry, aches and pains (especially from taking part in the activities!) and how bad the traffic was on the way to the meet up! We carry our grief with us, but weekends like these remind us that joy, laughter and everyday life continue too.”

Find support from WAY

When you join WAY, you’ll have access to a community of other widowed people who understand what you are going through.

Members can access meet ups like the annual PGL activity weekend, a telephone support line offering counselling, legal and financial support, a subscription to our members’ magazine, specific groups to connect with other people who’ve been widowed at a young age 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 you, when you are ready.

Watch the Smiley Movement Video from our PGL Trip in 2023