Members' Stories

Running through grief: Why Hannah decided to raise funds for WAY

Feb 2026

Hannah explains what motivated her to run the Bath Half Marathon for WAY Widowed and Young…

Love after loss: Reflecting on Valentine’s Day as a young widow

Feb 2026

WAY member Astrid Dolan shares her reflections on love, loss and community in the run up to Valentine’s Day.

“I want my baby to know who his dad was”: Mae’s fight to fill the Blank Space

Feb 2026

WAY member Mae explains why she is supporting our Blank Space campaign

Sam’s story: Living life after loss

Feb 2026

To mark World Cancer Day, WAY member Sam shares her story…

Parent Mental Health Day: Tips from widowed parents

Jan 2026

This Parent Mental Health Day, WAY members offer their advice on coping with life as a bereaved parent

Bringing our Blank Space campaign to Scotland

Jan 2026

WAY is bringing our Blank Space campaign to Scotland to help bereaved mothers navigate a complex and unfair process – and to call for change.

Blank Space campaign in Scotland: Karen’s story

Jan 2026

Scottish WAY member Karen shares why she is supporting WAY’s Blank Space campaign…

Focusing on moments of joy when Christmas has lost its sparkle: Astrid’s story

Dec 2025

WAY member Astrid describes the heaviness of facing her first Christmas as a young widowed mum – and offers hope for finding some moments of light…

Finding light in the darkness: Nicola’s story

Dec 2025

WAY member Nicola lost her husband Dave to cancer seven years ago, when she was 38. He was Christian and she is Jewish. She talks about navigating interfaith differences in life and in death – and as …

Counselling support for WAY members: Tim’s story

Nov 2025

WAY member Tim explains how being a member of WAY opened up the opportunity of free telephone bereavement counselling, which has helped him to reframe his approach to life as a widowed dad…

Children’s Grief Awareness Week: Sharing Emma’s story

Nov 2025

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, we share the story of WAY member Emma, who is using her own experience to help support grieving children.

Sharing Stories, Strengthening Hope: Andrew’s story

Nov 2025

This Children’s Grief Awareness Week, we share the story of WAY member Andrew, who offers his advice on navigating life as a widowed dad…

WAY Trustee Emma publishes book based on her award-winning blog

Nov 2025

WAY Trustee Emma Charlesworth started writing a blog back in 2020. Now she’s publishing her own book. Here’s her story…

Marking Children’s Grief Awareness Week: Sharing Stories, Strengthening Hope

Nov 2025

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, WAY member Alex shares his story of being a widowed dad to two children – one of whom has Down syndrome – and explains how WAY helped him to find a more hopefu…

We remember him every day…

Nov 2025

WAY member Laura Robbins MBE from Bristol is Chair of the RAF Widows’ Association. On Remembrance Day, Laura remembers her husband Nick, who served in the RAF.

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…

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…

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…