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…

Facing the future with optimism: Claire’s story, one year on

Dec 2024

Last year, WAY member Claire shared how she planned to navigate her first Christmas and New Year without her husband Jason, finding comfort in travel, self-care and the support of the WAY community. W…

Rebecca’s story: Navigating Cultural Differences

Oct 2024

To mark Black History Month, WAY member Rebecca shares her story…

“Life is far too short”: WAY members share how grief has changed their outlook

Sept 2024

We asked WAY’s social media followers how bereavement has changed their outlook on life…

Suzanne’s story: Running for WAY

Sept 2024

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

Summer of Swans success

Sept 2024

Find out how WAY member Griffyn folded 1,000 swans and raised over £640 for WAY this summer…

Yarn with a purpose: Swan yarnbomb raises awareness of WAY

Aug 2024

Find out more about a swan-shaped yarnbomb that has landed in Ambleside to help spread joy and awareness of WAY.

Campaign to extend bereavement support payments: Sophie’s story

Jul 2024

When Sophie’s husband Paul died in 2023, she was 17 weeks pregnant. Her Bereavement Support Payments are due to stop just after her baby turns one. Here is Sophie’s story…

David’s story: running 400 miles for four charities

Jul 2024

Find out why widowed dad David is running 400 miles for four charities this year, including WAY Widowed and Young.

All the threes: How virtual bingo launched a lifelong friendship

Jul 2024

Three WAY members tell the story of how their friendship blossomed through a game of virtual bingo…

Young widow organises Euro 2024 sweepstake to support widowed charity

Jun 2024

In memory of her late husband, a young widow has organised a Euro 2024 football sweepstake to raise funds for WAY Widowed and Young – the charity that has provided her with crucial support since her h…

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.

WAY’s Big Picnic Weekend: A celebration of friendship and support

May 2024

The sun came out for WAY’s Big Picnic weekend, encouraging more than 400 WAY members, friends and family to roll out their picnic blankets at 29 picturesque locations across the country – from Cornwal…

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…

How art helped WAY member Erin to heal after her wife died

Apr 2024

WAY member Erin explains how art helped her to find an outlet for her grief after her wife died on New Year’s Eve…

Tracking down lost assets: How WAY member Lucy is helping young widowed people in their search

Apr 2024

On Thursday, 18 April, WAY member and financial advisor Lucy Logan is due to appear in an ITV documentary called Claim Your Cash: Britain’s Hidden Fortune alongside fellow member Clare, talking about …

Scaling new heights with WAY

Apr 2024

WAY member Liz shares how a recent activity weekend with fellow WAY members helped her and her three boys to scale new heights, literally…

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