WAY members head to Bournemouth for 2025 AGM

October 2025

More than 115 WAY members came together in Bournemouth on 27 September for the charity’s Annual Gathering (AGM) and Dinner Dance.

Alongside updates from WAY’s Chief Executive Stephanie Patrick, Chair Jo Sedley-Burke, WAY members also heard powerful speeches from WAY’s inspirational founder Caroline Sarll – who first established the charity back in 1997 – and leadership coach Lisa Strutt from Northern Ireland, who shared some of the tools she’s used to navigate life since her husband died in 2020.   

The weekend wasn’t all serious though. WAY members threw themselves into a range of lively breakout sessions – from journalling and wine tasting to hip hop dancing, soap felting and sound bathing. And, true to WAY tradition, the festivities continued late into the evening with the ever popular dinner dance on Saturday night.

And some members rounded off the weekend with a bracing walk along the beach to blow some of the cobwebs away.

Two of our lovely members shared these reflections with us after attending their first WAY AGM: 

Sarah said:

“I truly had the best weekend. There was many a time prior to it that I nearly talked myself out of going and I’m so pleased I didn’t. It was a humbling experience being in a room full of others who are all experiencing pain and upset yet there we all were dancing, chatting, hugging, drinking and shedding tears. But the thing that struck me the most were the smiles. A beautiful sight. I feel in a completely different place since the event and it was so amazing meeting up with people I already knew and making new friends. We might be in the worst club ever but we most definitely are not alone.”

Matthew said:

“I’m just home from the AGM, as a newbie, and wanted to say what brilliant weekend. So powerful and emotional. Thank you so much to everyone who helped organise it, and thank you to everyone who went and made me feel so welcome. If you are debating whether to go next year, please do it. I can honestly say it has helped me and changed me for the better.”

Appointment of Charity Trustees

Since its inception as a membership charity in 1997, WAY has arranged its AGMs in different locations around the UK. This allows WAY members to attend and get involved with the charity’s decision-making, as well as enjoying the social side that follows.

AGMs are not only important from a governance perspective, but they also provide a platform for WAY members to share their views and ask questions to ensure transparency. This helps to make sure that the charity is being run in the best interest of its members. 

At each Annual General Meeting, WAY trustees retire from office when they have served a three-year term of office. They may stand for re-election and can serve for up to nine years. 

The 2025 AGM marked important updates to WAY’s Board of Trustees.

• Jo Sedley-Burke and Kate Spikings were both reappointed as Trustees.
• Emma Charlesworth, who was co-opted onto the Board earlier this year, was also formally appointed as a Trustee.
• Stuart Scarbrough stepped down after nine years of dedicated service, particularly supporting Member Holidays and Finance.
• Marcos Eleftheriou also gave notice of his resignation after two years supporting the charity with legal matters.

Convening an AGM is a legal requirement for all charities. Find out more about why WAY holds an AGM here.

A copy of the WAY Annual Report for 2024 can be found here