Members' Stories

Here are just a few stories from our incredible members and how our charity has supported them. 

Dancing through grief: Katherine’s story

Oct 2025

WAY Widowed and Young member Katherine shares how dancing has helped her through some of the darkest times…

International Brain Tumour Awareness Week: WAY member Debbie shares her story

Oct 2025

To mark International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, WAY member Debbie talks about how she has navigated the last four years since her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour…

Marking Black History Month 2025

Oct 2025

As Black History Month draws to a close, thanks go to WAY’s Cultural Diversity Working Group for organising and hosting several activities and events, as well as sharing their stories to raise awarene…

Serpentine Swim: Gemma takes the plunge for WAY

Oct 2025

One chilly morning in September, WAY member Gemma took the plunge for WAY, raising funds with her two childhood friends by taking part in the Serpentine Swim in London.

Ten-year tribute inspires year of giving

Oct 2025

Ten years after her husband died, WAY Widowed and Young member Lindsay is taking on 12 months of fundraising challenges in his memory…

Bringing people together: Lee’s story

Oct 2025

WAY member Lee explains how he started organising events in London to help other young widowed people smile again…

Congratulations to our 2025 Helen Bailey Award winner

Oct 2025

Meet the winner of our 2025 award for the best WAY blogger about widowed life, as voted by our members…

Celebrating our 2025 Mandy Burrows Award winners

Oct 2025

Read about the joint winners of our Mandy Burrows Award, for members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help other young widowed people…

WAY members head to Bournemouth for 2025 AGM

Oct 2025

More than 115 members of WAY Widowed and Young headed to Bournemouth for the charity’s annual general meeting and dinner dance…

Male breast cancer: Navigating life after a rare cancer diagnosis

Oct 2025

Around 400 men in the UK are diagnosed with male breast cancer each year, compared to 55,550 women, according to Cancer Research UK. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, WAY member Jess shares what …

Tapping into corporate support to raise awareness of WAY

Sept 2025

From March-July 2025, the market research company Savanta supported the charity WAY Widowed and Young on a pro bono study to explore how to increase awareness and strengthen current services. Research…

Turning personal loss into professional impact: Rachel’s story

Sept 2025

WAY Ambassador Rachel explores how she has drawn on her own experience of bereavement in her professional career to give back to the charity that’s supported her through widowhood…

Easing into autumn whilst living with complex grief after suicide loss

Sept 2025

This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, WAY member Piata offers some ideas on navigating the changing seasons after being bereaved by suicide…

World Suicide Prevention Day: Helping to change the narrative

Sept 2025

WAY member Claudia shares her thoughts to mark World Suicide Prevention Day…

Rebuilding hope after being widowed by suicide

Sept 2025

To mark Suicide Awareness Month, we asked writer and mentor Caroline Roodhouse to share her advice on navigating life after being widowed by suicide…

Suicide Awareness Month: Diane’s story

Sept 2025

To mark Suicide Awareness Month this September, we are sharing the stories of some of our members who have been bereaved by suicide – as well as sharing tips and advice about how they have coped with …

A magical WAY summer break in the Peak District

Aug 2025

A group of WAY Widowed and Young members travelled to the Peak District this summer for a magical three days of sunshine, shooting stars and mutual support…

Celebrating World Photography Day with WAY

Aug 2025

To mark World Photography Day, we encouraged WAY Widowed and Young members to send in photos from their travels. We received entries from far and wide…

Widow holidays: Karen’s story

Jul 2025

WAY’s Social Media Officer Karen decided to take her four young children away on holiday just a few days after her husband’s funeral. Here’s her story…

WAY welcomes new trustee, Emma

Jul 2025

WAY Widowed and Young is pleased to welcome our eleventh member to the charity’s Board of Trustees – Emma Charlesworth.

You don't have to face widowhood alone.

If you've lost your partner before your 51st birthday and live in the UK – whether you were married or not, with or without children, whatever your sexual orientation, race or religion – you are welcome to join us.

Joining up to WAY takes minutes and costs just £30 a year, which can be paid either by direct debit or PayPal.

“I will always remain a member of WAY as I know that my membership helps WAY to continue to support other members and reach out to new members.

Since WAY has made such a difference to me after being widowed young, I want to do all that I can to help that support continue” - WAY member, Jenny