Impacts & Strategies

The pandemic is one of the most unprecedented, unrivalled scientific and global challenges. The communities we serve are now faced with multiple challenges - grief, lockdown, the risk of contracting the virus itself and its impact on overstretched health services, to the knock-on effect on the health and livelihood system.

We are adapting our work to respond to these new challenges, both now and in the long term. While we continue to meet our charitable objectives, tacking loneliness, isolation & mental health.

When it is safe to do so, and in line with national government guidelines & rules, we continued to work directly with communities. Our volunteers form deep relationships and build on trust, with people with whom we provide support for. Our befriending service over the phone & face to face on social distancing with PPE is helping to tackle the social isolation. Also, our online activities ensuring that our response plans are meeting the needs of the people we serve- and using our existing networks to share important information across our volunteers. Most of our community and national volunteer have been able to continue their work since the pandemic started.

Our befriender Lesley was Dawn's first point of contact. Lesley helped her on call and also put her in touch with another widow with young kids so that they could help support each other.

Dawn looks forward to the arts & craft and bingo zoom calls as that gives her time to herself and allows her to enjoy herself, have a laugh and take a break from her daily routine.

To find out more about Dawn's Story click here.

Stephanie has been working with us as a finance officer for nearly 2.5 years now and she 'loves the job'. She prepared this short testimonial for us for our 4 year anniversary. 

"I found new family in the people in this charity"

I faced some very lonely years as a widow until I found a new family in the people at The Widows Empowerment Trust. Here I can enjoy social outings, and I especially appreciate the fact that we get the opportunity to go for a meal and to the cinema again, as doing this alone just never felt the same.

I have learned new skills and rediscovered old ones, and this has helped me build my confidence, trust in myself and also given me the strength to empower other widows. Thank you to The Widows Empowerment Trust for everything you do.

I love the fact that Oyovwe, did not hesitate to offer me the role and took a chance on me and is developing and investing in my skills and in return, I work exceptionally hard to deliver.

Without Oyovwe, willing to take a chance on me, I would have been applying for vacancies that were at entry level and well below the experience that I had gained over my working life.

This has had a huge impact on my wellbeing, I feel confident, I feel like I am contributing to society and giving back to society by working for such an amazing and selfless organisation.

"I'm convinced you helped me recover quicker"

Just a few lines to thank Oyovwe and Richard and The Widows Empowerment Trust for the kindness you have shown me over the past times when I was not very well. 

I´m convinced that the visit you made to my flat helped me recover quicker, 

so once again, thank you.

 "They lifted my spirit so I could be strong for my family" 

I lost my husband to an unexpected heart attack, and it was a devastating experience. At the same time as I felt numb from the shock, I was also in deep sorrow for my loss. Not only did I have the pain of bereavement to cope with, but this also robbed me of the future we were planning together. I also faced an array of practical challenges, like raising children on my own. It was a very overwhelming feeling, and I am grateful for my friends and family who helped me through this time, and also to The Widows Empowerment Trust. 

Being a widow can be very isolating, and you feel like you are the only one going through this type of loss. Also, our society is not adequately equipped to handle grief, and you may feel awkward in social situations, and that people can´t relate. 

That´s why the support and community you get in The Widows Empowerment Trust is one of the best things that could have happened to me. They helped me through counselling, numerous home-visits phone calls and gifts. I have benefitted a lot from the fact that they are so supportive and ready to help. They lifted my spirit and made it possible for me to carry on with daily life and be strong for my family. 

The single most important factor they supply is the support of others. In this time, it is so essential to express your feelings, to not feel alone and to be with people who understand what you are experiencing. Before I knew of The Widows Empowerment Trust, I felt alone trying to raise to children with autism, isolated, socially excluded and terrified about the future. With the support of the Widows Empowerment Trust, I feel like I have a support network of people who strengthen each other through shared experiences and I never feel alone anymore. I can never thank you enough for your love and support.