Hi, I am Rebecca, and I was widowed in 2010, when my husband Keith died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism following a kidney transplant. We didn’t have any children as Keith’s poor health made us uncertain about our future.
Finding WAY made all the difference to me after being widowed. I knew very few people who had been widowed young, and WAY helped me to feel that I wasn’t alone – that there were people who understood. I often say that I presume I would have survived without WAY, but it would have been a very different experience.
It has also been really important to me to connect with those who, like me, are not parents. So I started a sub group for WAYers without children to offer a safe space for members who don’t have children of their own (either by birth or adoption), whether or not by choice, to connect with others in the same boat.
There are so many issues in being widowed and childless that benefit from extra peer support from those who understand – for example, many have lost their only chance to have children, or are struggling to come to terms with infertility, while some are considering whether they could go it alone and become single parents. Some struggle with the additional pain of knowing that their partner left no genetic legacy to remember them by – it can be complicated!
And while we can all support each other in dealing with these issues, we also have so much fun. There are tears sometimes, but there is always more laughter, as well as friendship and help. We have become the most amazing, strong, loving community, and always give the warmest welcome to new members.
Hear from our members
- WAY member Darren explains how he has navigated the past 11 months without husband Chris.
- WAY member Claire shares how she is facing life without her husband with as much optimism as she can
- WAY member Sarah shares her story and why she'd never have chosen a different path
- As part of our campaigning for better support for all widowed without children, WAY member Michelle shares her story
- We shared reflections on Father's Day from WAY members who didn't have the chance to have children with their partner
- WAY volunteer Ed helps to admin our Widowed without Children group. Read his story and how he volunteers
- Read more from WAY volunteer Rebecca. She shares her story and why volunteering for WAY is important to her
Joining WAY
When you join WAY you’ll have access to a community of other widowed people who understand what you are going through.
"There are tears sometimes, but there is always more laughter, as well as friendship and help. We have become the most amazing, strong, loving community, and always give the warmest welcome to new members."
As well as our Widowed without Children group, you can access events organised across the UK, a telephone support line offering counselling, legal and financial support, a subscription to our members magazine 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 when you are ready.