Members' Stories

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

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…

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…

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…

11 tips on holidaying alone with children as a widowed parent

Jul 2025

Widowed mum Lauren shares her tips on going on a solo holiday with young children

Blank Space: Sophie’s struggle to register her baby’s birth

Jun 2025

On Tuesday, 17 June, Sophie’s experiences were shared in Parliament by MP Jen Craft as part of her Ten Minute Rule Bill to close the Blank Space faced by some bereaved mothers trying to register their…

Jake’s journey: Navigating life as a widowed dad

Jun 2025

In the run up to Father’s Day, we share the story of widowed dad Jake…

Day of Reflection: Five years seems forever and no time at all

Mar 2025

To mark this Day of Reflection, WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth reflects on the five years since her husband Charlie died of COVID-19…

Taking the plunge together: Emma and Poppy’s PGL adventures

Feb 2025

Recently, WAY member Emma and her daughter Poppy joined nearly 80 WAY members and children as part of an activity weekend at PGL Caythorpe near Grantham. Emma shares their experience…

Bridget Jones as a young widow: A WAY member’s review of Mad About the Boy

Feb 2025

To mark the launch of the new Bridget Jones movie that shows Bridget as a young widow, we asked Scottish WAY member Alison to preview it for us…

Reflections on love, loss and happily ever after

Feb 2025

Ahead of the launch of the new Bridget Jones movie this Valentine’s Day eve, WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth shares her thoughts on love, loss, judgement – and ‘living happily ever after’ – five year…

Bereavement Support Payments: A lifeline for Stacey on Valentine’s Day

Feb 2025

On the two year anniversary of bereavement benefits being extended to cohabiting parents, we talk to WAY member Stacey about the difference the payments have made…

WAY too much fun in Glasgow

Feb 2025

Last weekend, a group of 19 young widowed people from across the UK descended on Glasgow for a weekend of food, Scottish dancing, whisky drinking and belly laughs...

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