Members' Stories

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

What Pride means to me: Reflections from WAY volunteers

Jun 2026

To mark this Pride month, we asked some of our LGBTQIA+ widowed members what Pride means to them…

Mandy Burrows Award: Meet our 2026 nominees

Jun 2026

This Volunteers’ Week, we are pleased to celebrate three inspirational members who’ve been nominated for our annual Mandy Burrows Award…

From grief to the Great North Swim: Louise’s story

May 2026

Find out why WAY member Louise decided to swim 5k through the waters of Lake Windermere for WAY…

Rain didn’t stop the fun for WAY’s Big Picnic festivities

May 2026

More than 400 WAY members, friends and families – as well as a few friendly deer – enjoyed our 2026 Big Picnic weekend

Getting your Will sorted: A former solicitor and young widow’s guide

Apr 2026

WAY Ambassador Emma Gray – a former solicitor who retrained as a grief coach after she was widowed young – explains why getting your Will in order is so important…

Walking for Jonathan: Cassie’s Kiltwalk for WAY

Apr 2026

On 25-26 April, Scottish WAY member Cassie took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk...

WAY member Rosie Moss turns award-winning Widowed AF podcast into book

Apr 2026

Read how WAY member Rosie Moss turned her award-winning podcast into a book about what it feels like to be widowed and young…

Handmade gift exchange connects young widowed crafters

Apr 2026

A group of 18 talented WAY members decided to send each other handmade gifts to help lift their spirits through the dark winter months

Team of five WAY members from Northern Ireland running the Belfast marathon relay

Mar 2026

A team of five WAY members from Northern Ireland are lacing up their running shoes in readiness for the Belfast marathon relay in May.

Helen Bailey Blog & Digital Storyteller Award 2026

Mar 2026

In recognition of the different ways widowed people are choosing to share their stories, we’re delighted to announce that we’re extending our Helen Bailey Blog Award to include digital storytelling th…

Weekend away with WAY: Adventure, laughter and community

Mar 2026

More than 50 WAY members and children had a blast at an adventure weekend at PGL near Grantham last month…

Navigating Valentine’s Day when you’ve been widowed young

Feb 2026

We have gathered some tips from young widowed people about navigating Valentine’s Day when you’re grieving your late partner…

Sam’s story: Living life after loss

Feb 2026

To mark World Cancer Day, WAY member Sam shares her story…

Reflecting on WAY holidays in 2025

Jan 2026

During 2025, there were multiple holidays for WAY members and their children to take a few days away together and enjoy the peer-to-peer support that WAY offers our members.

Running 10k in support of WAY: Victoria’s story

Jan 2026

WAY member Victoria is running 10K for WAY in memory of her husband. Here’s her story…

Blank Space campaign in Scotland: Karen’s story

Jan 2026

Scottish WAY member Karen shares why she is supporting WAY’s Blank Space campaign…

Rebuilding hope after heartache: Rammi’s story

Dec 2025

Former WAY Trustee Rammi shares how she has rebuilt her life after her husband died – and is now helping others to do the same…

Leaping for WAY: Michelle’s charity skydive

Nov 2025

WAY member Michelle explains why she decided to jump out of a plane to raise funds that will support other young widowed people across the UK…

Sharing Stories, Strengthening Hope: Andrew’s story

Nov 2025

This Children’s Grief Awareness Week, we share the story of WAY member Andrew, who offers his advice on navigating life as a widowed dad…

Marking Children’s Grief Awareness Week: Sharing Stories, Strengthening Hope

Nov 2025

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, WAY member Alex shares his story of being a widowed dad to two children – one of whom has Down syndrome – and explains how WAY helped him to find a more hopefu…

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