Members' Stories

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...

Navigating grief together: A mother and daughter’s journey

Nov 2023

We talk to WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica, whose husband Wullie died unexpectedly from a heart attack seven years ago, and her daughter Becca, now 18.

Emma's Story: Supporting Children

Nov 2023

WAY member and ex-primary school deputy headteacher Emma Marfleet shared her story during Children's Grief Awareness Week and how she is helping her children maintain an ongoing relationship with thei…

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…

Mental Health Awareness: Aimee's Story

Oct 2023

Eight years after her partner Marky died, WAY Widowed and Young member Aimee shares how she overcame agoraphobia and anxiety to find a new way forward, with support from her WAY friends.

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…

Congratulations to our Mandy Burrows Award winner

Sept 2023

Huge congratulations to Kristine – the winner of the 2023 Mandy Burrows Award for making an outstanding contribution to WAY over the past year.

Congratulations to our Helen Bailey blog award winner

Sept 2023

Huge congratulations to WAY Ambassador Emma Charlesworth, who’s the winner of this year’s Helen Bailey Award for best WAY blogger.

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

Marking Black History Month: Selina’s story

Sept 2023

To mark Black History Month, Selina shares some of the financial and emotional challenges she faced after her fiancé Ray died in 2022…

Bereaved by Suicide: Kate’s story

Sept 2023

To mark Suicide Awareness Month, WAY member Kate shares how she is determined to turn the devastating loss of her partner Matt into a positive force to help people talk more openly about death and sui…

Suicide Awareness: Griffyn’s story

Sept 2023

We share the story of Griffyn, a member of WAY’s LGBTQIA+ community and WAY volunteer, whose husband ended his own life in 2021.

Suicide Awareness Month: Diane’s story

Sept 2023

To mark Suicide Awareness Month this September, we are sharing the stories of some of our members who have been bereaved by suicide – as well as sharing tips and advice about how they have coped with …

Finding friendship: Orlanda and Rachel’s story

Aug 2023

A chance encounter through WAY’s Instagram platform helped friendship to flourish between WAY Ambassador Orlanda and fellow WAY member Rachel, who were both widowed while pregnant.

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.

Marking International Friendship Day - Emma's Story

Jul 2023

To mark International Friendship Day, we are sharing the stories of WAY Ambassadors Emma Charlesworth and Emma Gray – and how their friendship has helped them to navigate life after loss.

Widowed and sober: Karen’s story

Jul 2023

To mark Alcohol Awareness Week, WAY member Karen shares the powerful story of how she battled alcohol dependence after her husband Ben died of cancer – and is now celebrating being five years sober.

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