Members' Stories

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

Navigating Christmas after being widowed: Tips from WAY members

Dec 2025

As the festive season approaches, WAY members share their tips on navigating Christmas when widowed…

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 comfort when Christmas has lost its magic: Sabine’s tips

Dec 2025

As Christmas approaches, WAY volunteer and nutritionist Sabine offers some helpful recipes for navigating the festive season after bereavement.

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 …

Supporting each other at Christmas: Sam’s story as a WAY volunteer

Dec 2025

WAY volunteer Sam explains why she’s hosting a Zoom meet up for young widowed people this Christmas.

Finding light in a dark season: Karen’s story

Dec 2025

WAY volunteer Karen shares her tips on finding light during the darkest of times…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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