Members' Stories

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

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…

WAY’s Book Club: online support for our members

Jul 2025

WAY Ambassador Sophie explains why she finds WAY’s online Book Club such a great source of support

WAY’s Impact in 2024 – Supporting 4,500+ young widowed people across the UK

Jul 2025

A survey of WAY Widowed and Young members in June 2025 reveals the power of WAY’s peer-to-peer support network

Widowed to Motor Neurone Disease: Rachel’s story

Jun 2025

Raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, WAY member Rachel shares her story of caring for her husband Mark when he was diagnosed with MND...

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…

Men’s Health Week: how the Internet is helping young widowed people stay connected

Jun 2025

To mark this year’s Men’s Health Week, which turns the spotlight on men and the Internet, WAY Ambassador Norman Smart shares how going online has helped him to stay connected through the pandemic and …

Supporting each other through tough times: Volunteer Liz’s story

May 2025

Volunteer Liz explains why she decided to become a volunteer for WAY to help support other people who’ve been widowed young…

Book competition: Your chance to win I Am A Wolf Tonight

Apr 2025

WAY member Thelma Ainsworth has just published her first memoir I Am A Wolf Tonight, which documents her journey as a young widow after her husband died of cancer.

Day of Reflection: Learning to live again after loss

Mar 2025

To mark this Day of Reflection, WAY member Eileen reflects on the three years since she lost her partner Scott to COVID-19…

WAY member Ruba shares her reflections and resolutions this Ramadan, four years after her husband’s death…

Feb 2025

Ramadan Mubarak to all of those in the Muslim community and to our Muslim members. We know how difficult it can be to mark this Holy Month without your loved one.

Unleashing hope: Michelle’s story

Feb 2025

To mark National Love Your Pet Day, we share how WAY member Michelle followed her dream after she was widowed – setting up an award-winning dog grooming business…

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…

Reimagining your world: Finding rainbows through the storm

Jan 2025

WAY Widowed and Young Ambassador Emma Gray shares how she weathered the storms after she was widowed at a young age, finding light in the darkness as she navigated her bereavement…

Marking LGBT+ History Month

Jan 2025

WAY Widowed and Young is marking LGBT+ History Month with a series of stories and activities reflecting on the histories and experiences of LGBTQIA+ members as they have navigated their bereavement.

Volunteering with WAY in 2024

Jan 2025

As we enter 2025, WAY has almost 200 formal volunteers who have stepped forward to help support the charity and our members in a variety of different ways.

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