6 Oct 2025 Community

Amy Taylor’s memory shines bright at The Kirkwood’s Light Up A Life service

Every December, The Kirkwood invites families from across Kirklees to come together and remember their loved ones at their special Light Up A Life services. The events, held in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, are a chance to pause during the busy festive season, reflect on precious memories, and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us.

For Yvonne Shaw, Light Up A Life has become an important part of how she remembers her mum, Amy Taylor, who died in September 2022 aged 79. Amy had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier that year and also lived with a below the knee amputation, which meant she needed a great deal of support. She spent two weeks at The Kirkwood for respite care before her health declined, and the family experienced first hand the hospice’s compassion.

Yvonne said: “My mum, Amy, went into The Kirkwood for two weeks of respite care in September 2022. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier that year and by that point her illness had spread and she was very unwell. On top of that, she’d had a below the knee amputation, which meant there were so many things she just couldn’t do for herself anymore. Simple things we all take for granted. At The Kirkwood, nothing was ever too much trouble. The team there gave her the help and dignity she needed. They did so much for her, little things that made such a big difference and honestly it was life changing. Not just for her, but for us as a family too, because we could see how much comfort it gave her.

“I’ll never forget the first time I walked through the doors. Mum had gone ahead in the ambulance, and I drove there and walked in through reception. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. You hear the word ‘hospice’ and your mind jumps to certain things. But the second I stepped inside, I felt calm. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. I don’t know what I had expected, but The Kirkwood was nothing like I imagined it was beautiful, peaceful, and full of warmth.”

Yvonne says the care her mum received transformed how both of them viewed hospices: “Like a lot of people, Mum was stubborn at first, she didn’t want to be in the hospice. But once she realised just how much the nurses and staff were doing for her, her whole attitude changed. She began to see that they were giving her comfort and independence she hadn’t had at home. It totally changed the way she thought about hospices, and it did for me too. I think there are so many misconceptions about what a hospice is, but once you’ve experienced it personally, you see the truth: it’s about living well, with dignity, with care, with kindness.”

When Amy died just days after leaving The Kirkwood, Yvonne found comfort in the continued support she received:

She commented: “When Mum passed away not long after, The Kirkwood didn’t stop caring for us. The phone calls I had, the way they checked in, it meant so much. That ongoing support is something people don’t always realise hospices offer, but it made the world of difference to me. That’s why I’ve always said I’ll continue to support The Kirkwood for as long as I live. They were there for us when we needed them most, and I’ll always do what I can for them in return. One day, when I’ve got more time, I’d love to volunteer there, because I just can’t thank them enough. I entered the calander competition one year and my image was picked for July 2024. Mum loved nature and the image reminds me of her.”

It was during that first difficult Christmas without her mum that Yvonne and her daughter attended Light Up A Life for the first time.

She explained: “The first Light Up A Life I came to was later that same year, after Mum died. My daughter came with me, and I won’t lie, we were absolute wrecks. It was still so raw, and it’s such an emotional thing to do. But at the same time, it was really comforting. There’s something special about standing alongside so many other people who are there for the same reason, to remember someone they love. You don’t feel alone, you feel part of a community of people who understand your grief. That in itself is healing.”

“The service is beautiful. You listen to the words, you hear the music, you stand in silence together. And then the lights come on, one by one, and the whole place shines. It’s hard to describe, there’s just something magical about that moment. It’s powerful, it takes your breath away.

“When I think about Light Up A Life, I think about Mum in the gardens at The Kirkwood, because she loved being outside surrounded by flowers and nature. That’s the picture I hold in my mind when the lights shine, not the sadness of her being poorly, but the happy memories of her doing what she loved. That’s what the event gives you: the chance to remember with love, rather than just grief.

“I’d tell anyone who’s thinking about coming to Light Up A Life not to be nervous. It’s emotional, yes, but it’s also uplifting. Everyone is so kind, and the whole event has this caring, gentle atmosphere. It helps you remember your loved one, but it also helps you feel comforted and connected to others. It’s a really special night.

“For me, Light Up A Life has become part of how I remember Mum. It’s now something I’ll do every year, because it keeps her memory alive in such a beautiful way. When the lights shine, I know she’s still with me, and that’s a feeling I’ll always treasure.”

This year’s Light Up A Life services will be held on:

Saturday 6th December at 5pm – The Kirkwood Gardens, Huddersfield

Sunday 7th December at 5pm – The Kirkwood Gardens, Huddersfield

Sunday 7th December at 10.30am – Longcauseway Church, Dewsbury

After the events, The Kirkwood’s gardens in Dalton will once again be transformed into a haven of light, with each dedication shining brightly in memory of a loved one throughout the festive season.

To make a dedication or reserve your place at one of this year’s services, visit The Kirkwood’s Light Up A Life page HERE or call 01484 557 911.

For Yvonne, Light Up A Life is more than a service it is a tradition of love, remembrance and hope. By standing among others, sharing in music and silence, and watching the lights shine together, she has found comfort and a way to keep her mum’s memory alive. And for every family who takes part, each light is a reminder that though our loved ones may be gone, their light continues to shine brightly in our lives.