Members' Stories

Men’s Health Week: Helping men navigate bereavement

Jun 2024

To mark Men’s Health Week, we wanted to talk about men and bereavement, and how to help men navigate the challenges of losing their life partner at a young age…

Loneliness Awareness Week: the importance of looking after yourself in widowhood

Jun 2024

To mark this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week, WAY Ambassador Norman shares how his faith, WAY and singing have helped him to combat loneliness...

WAY members treated to Oxford bus tour for Big Picnic weekend

May 2024

WAY members were invited for an exclusive guided bus tour of Oxford to mark Big Picnic weekend

Healing through helping others: Matt’s story

Apr 2024

WAY member Matt talks about how he wanted to help other people who’d been widowed at a young age by organising events in his local area - from curry nights to car maintenance…

Stress Awareness Month how creating objects from clay really did save me

Apr 2024

Ramadan as a widowed Muslim mother: Ruba’s story

Feb 2024

We understand how difficult this month can be without your loved one, especially this year when the start of the month coincides with Mother’s Day.

Facing the future with optimism: Claire's Story

Dec 2023

WAY member Claire shares how she is facing the Christmas and the New Year with as much optimism as she can since her husband of 20 years died in January…

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…

Celebrating Diwali: Finding light in the darkness

Nov 2023

WAY member Shalini explains how her Indian heritage and her Hindu faith have affected her bereavement journey since her husband died – and she shares how she will be celebrating Diwali this year by lo…

Advice for looking after your mental health from a WAY Ambassador

Oct 2023

Did you know 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem each year. That could be a family member, a friend, a colleague, or it could be you. WAY Ambassador Norman Smart shares his advice for…

Marking Black History Month: Selina’s story

Sept 2023

To mark Black History Month, Selina shares some of the financial and emotional challenges she faced after her fiancé Ray died in 2022…

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.

Rob shares his story for Men's Health Week

Jun 2023

WAY volunteer Rob shares how the online world helped him to make new friends and stay connected after his wife died for Men's Health Week.

WAY member shares advice on online dating

Feb 2019

WAY member Shalini Bhalla-Lucas has written a book about online dating after being widowed. Here she shares some words of wisdom on the challenges of finding love again following bereavement.