Members' Stories

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

Navigating grief together: A mother and daughter’s journey

Nov 2023

We talk to WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica, whose husband Wullie died unexpectedly from a heart attack seven years ago, and her daughter Becca, now 18.

Emma's Story: Supporting Children

Nov 2023

WAY member and ex-primary school deputy headteacher Emma Marfleet shared her story during Children's Grief Awareness Week and how she is helping her children maintain an ongoing relationship with thei…

Reflecting on Remembrance Day: Matthew’s story

Nov 2023

WAY member Matthew, who’s a serving Navy officer and member of the WAY military subgroup, reflects on how he has navigated many difficult firsts since his wife and stepdaughter died – and how he’s pla…

Marking Black History Month: Johanna’s story

Sept 2023

WAY volunteer Johanna Pereira shares the story of how she navigated the cultural challenges of being widowed and Black

Finding friendship: Orlanda and Rachel’s story

Aug 2023

A chance encounter through WAY’s Instagram platform helped friendship to flourish between WAY Ambassador Orlanda and fellow WAY member Rachel, who were both widowed while pregnant.

Finding support and friendship through WAY

Jul 2023

WAY Ambassador Emma Gray shares her story on International Friendship Day of how her friendship with fellow WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth has helped them both to navigate life after loss.

Marking International Friendship Day - Emma's Story

Jul 2023

To mark International Friendship Day, we are sharing the stories of WAY Ambassadors Emma Charlesworth and Emma Gray – and how their friendship has helped them to navigate life after loss.

Providing a support network for military widows

Jun 2023

To mark Armed Forces Day, we share the story of WAY Ambassador Emma Gray, who has set up a support group for members of our charity who are either serving in the military or whose late partner or spou…

Caring for carers: Finding a web of support

Jun 2023

To mark Carers' Rights Day, charity consultant widowed dad Josh Cass writes about how he coped as a carer for his wife when she was ill with cancer, thanks to a web of support from friends and family.

Gavin’s Story: Coping with Father’s Day as a widowed dad

Jun 2023

As Father’s Day approaches, Gavin reflects on his experiences and how he’s coped with his own grief while raising his 8-year-old son, Magnus.

Steven's Story

Jun 2023

Ahead of Father’s Day, Wirral-based WAY member Steven shares his story…

Ian's Story: Challenging National Insurance discrimination

Apr 2023

When he was widowed to Covid-19 in 2020, WAY volunteer Ian from Coventry was shocked to hear that his family wasn’t entitled to Bereavement Support Payments either, because – like Suzzi – his wife had…

Marking National Day of Reflection: Emma’s reflections

Mar 2023

Today, 23 March, has become known as the National Day of Reflection. Set up by the charity Marie Curie, it takes place on the anniversary of the day that then Prime Minister Boris Johnson placed the U…

Ramadan as a young Muslim widow: Ruba’s story

Mar 2023

Ramadan Mubarak to all of those in the Muslim community and to our Muslim members. We understand how difficult it can be to experience this month without your loved one, so South London-based WAY memb…

"Will there be other people like us?" - Pete's Story

Mar 2023

When Pete's first WAY Forward newsletter fell onto the doormat, the PGL weekend in February immediately piqued his interest.

Extending Bereavement Support Payments: Lauren’s story

Mar 2023

When Lauren’s husband Rob died last June, she started to receive the first of 18 monthly instalments of Bereavement Support Payment to help support herself and her daughter, Amelia. Although she was g…

Siobhan's Story: Cohabiting Couples Campaign

Feb 2023

When Siobhan discovered through conversations with Citizen’s Advice that parents who were not married or in a civil partnership were unable to claim the support available at that time to married paren…

Kathy's Story: Cohabiting Couples Campaign

Feb 2023

WAY Ambassador Kathy Ford lost her partner Keith in November 2018 to a sudden heart attack. They had been together for 19 years and had two sons together. In June 2019, Kathy gave evidence to the Work…

Elanor shares her story to support our Cohabiting Couples Campaign

Feb 2023

Elanor’s partner Robin died in 2005 after a motorbike accident. She was pregnant with their only daughter Sophie when Robin died and has struggled for the past 17 years to bring up Sophie as a lone pa…

Celebrating campaign success: Pete's Story

Jan 2023

WAY member Pete Bailey has been campaigning to extend bereavement support to cohabiting couples since his partner died in 2010, when the couple’s youngest son was just six weeks old. Their boys are no…

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