Members' Stories

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

Turning personal loss into professional impact: Rachel’s story

Sept 2025

WAY Ambassador Rachel explores how she has drawn on her own experience of bereavement in her professional career to give back to the charity that’s supported her through widowhood…

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 …

Mandy Burrows Award: Meet our 2025 nominees

Jun 2025

Meet our wonderful 2025 nominees for WAY’s Mandy Burrows Award for making an outstanding contribution to our charity.

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…

Walking through grief: Why Felix set up a hiking group for young widowed people

May 2025

To mark National Walking Month, WAY member Felix explains why he set up a walking and hiking group for young widowed people across the UK.

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.

Tips for beating the winter blues

Jan 2025

WAY volunteer and blogger Suzanne shares her tips for getting through the cold winter months when you’ve been widowed.

Hannah’s haircut in memory of Mum

Jan 2025

At just 11 years old, Hannah is proving that age is no barrier when it comes to making an impact.

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…

Suzanne’s story: Running for WAY

Sept 2024

Find out why WAY member Suzanne ran the Great North Run to raise funds for WAY…

WAY welcomes two new Trustees

Jul 2024

WAY is pleased to welcome two new members to the charity’s Board of Trustees, both of whom are young widowed fathers.

Finding friendship through WAY: Lisa and Lorraine’s story

Jul 2024

Two WAY members talk about the difference their friendship has made since they were both widowed in their 40s…

Volunteers’ Week: Celebrating WAY’s volunteers

Jun 2024

WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica shares a round up of this month’s Volunteers’ Week.

Pride Month: Invitation to LGBT Switchboard webinar

Jun 2024

Find out more about the organisation LGBT Switchboard at an event for WAY members and volunteers…

Helen Bailey Blog Award: Meet our 2024 nominees

Jun 2024

Meet our nominees for the 2024 Helen Bailey Award for best blog

Mandy Burrows Award: Meet our 2024 nominees

Jun 2024

Meet our wonderful 2024 nominees for WAY’s Mandy Burrows Award for making an outstanding contribution to our charity.

Kiltwalk Challenge: Veronica’s story

Apr 2024

WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica Currie explains why she’s walking more than 80 miles through Scotland’s biggest cities to raise funds for WAY in memory of her late husband, who would have tu…

Meet two WAY volunteers making a difference in their communities

Mar 2024

Meet two WAY volunteers making a difference in their communities

Beating the January blues

Jan 2024

Jodie joined WAY in summer 2022 and started volunteering as part of WAY’s Merseyside Area Contact Team in September 2023. She recently set up a mindful watercolour event for fellow WAY members to help…

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