Members' Stories

LGBT+ History Month: Standing up for LGBT+ rights

Jan 2025

For LGBT+ History Month, we share the story of WAY Widowed and Young member Andrew, who campaigned for same-sex marriage and was able to marry his partner, Jerry, before he died at the age of 30.

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.

WAY Holidays: Looking back on 2024

Jan 2025

Throughout the year, the WAY Operations Team organises a number of weekend breaks across the country that all WAY members can attend. 2024 was no exception…

Coping with Christmas: Tips from WAY members

Dec 2024

Members of WAY share their tips on coping with Christmas when you’ve been widowed young…

Gary’s story: Navigating life as a widowed dad

Nov 2024

To mark International Men’s Day, we talk to WAY Trustee Gary about his experiences as a widowed dad…

Transgender Awareness Week: Hear from WAY Ambassador Maria

Nov 2024

This Transgender Awareness Week (13-19 November), we hear from WAY Ambassador Maria about coming out as trans – and the support she’s received from the widowed community…

Meet two WAY volunteers making a difference in their communities

Mar 2024

Meet two WAY volunteers making a difference in their communities

Lone parenting is an extreme sport with no training

Feb 2024

WAY member Meredith reflects on the relentlessness of widowed parenting – and the importance of asking for help…

National Day of Reflection: Looking back on four years since being widowed to Covid-19

Feb 2024

WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth reflects on the rollercoaster of emotions she has navigated since her husband Charlie died after contracting Covid-19 four years ago…

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.

Sophie’s story: Facing the New Year as a new mum

Dec 2023

WAY member Sophie was 17 weeks pregnant when her husband Paul died in a traffic accident earlier this year. She shares how she’ll be making this New Year as special as she can for their newborn daught…

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…

Sarah’s story – facing her first Christmas after her husband died

Dec 2023

This will be Sarah’s first Christmas and New Year without Glynn, who died on 3 March 2023. This time last year, Glynn was in and out of hospital before being discharged on New Year’s Eve: “It was such…

From WAY members with love this Christmas

Dec 2023

WAY volunteer Tracey shares the story of how WAY Widowed and Young’s Secret Santa initiative came about – this year she is organising for more than 170 gifts to be sent out...

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…

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…

World Menopause Day: Landmark opportunity inspired WAY member’s short story on menopause

Oct 2023

When writer Cath Holland’s husband Andy died of bowel cancer in 2019, she wasn’t able to write her own stories at first. So when Cath saw that WAY was offering members an opportunity to stay in a Land…

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: 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 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.