Members' Stories

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

11 tips on holidaying alone with children as a widowed parent

Jul 2025

Widowed mum Lauren shares her tips on going on a solo holiday with young children

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...

Blank Space: Sophie’s struggle to register her baby’s birth

Jun 2025

On Tuesday, 17 June, Sophie’s experiences were shared in Parliament by MP Jen Craft as part of her Ten Minute Rule Bill to close the Blank Space faced by some bereaved mothers trying to register their…

Meet our 2025 Helen Bailey Blog Award nominees

Jun 2025

Congratulations to our three wonderful nominees, who have been put forward for our 2025 Helen Bailey blog award for best WAY blogger.

Closing the Blank Space for bereaved mothers

Jun 2025

On Tuesday 17 June, Parliament will hear a proposed change led by MP Jen Craft to an outdated law that caused immense pain to bereaved mother Orlanda Bryars – and many others like her.

Stepping up for WAY: 100,000 steps in Charlie’s memory

Jun 2025

On Thursday, 11 July, the incredible women at Team VG, led by fitness coach Verity Garrington, will be lacing up their walking shoes for their annual 100,000 Step Challenge in 24 hours – this time the…

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.

Serica’s story: Running for WAY

Apr 2025

Birmingham WAY member Serica explains why she’s raising funds for the charity that’s been such a lifeline since she was widowed last year…

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.

WAY’s spring fundraising update

Mar 2025

Hear what our fab fundraisers have been up to in the first few months of 2025…

Day of Reflection: Five years seems forever and no time at all

Mar 2025

To mark this Day of Reflection, WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth reflects on the five years since her husband Charlie died of COVID-19…

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…

International Women’s Day: Finding strength and friendship in widowhood

Mar 2025

This International Women’s Day, members of WAY Widowed and Young celebrate the strength of female friendship and support that has helped to carry them through widowhood…

Taking the plunge together: Emma and Poppy’s PGL adventures

Feb 2025

Recently, WAY member Emma and her daughter Poppy joined nearly 80 WAY members and children as part of an activity weekend at PGL Caythorpe near Grantham. Emma shares their experience…

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.

A word from the Chair of WAY: Joanna’s story

Feb 2025

The Chair of WAY Widowed and Young Joanna Sedley-Burke talks about being an LGBTQIA+ widow – and her ambitions to make sure everyone knows about WAY.

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