Advice & Resources
Here’s a collection of resources for widows and widowers that you might find helpful, including links to charities, blogs, websites, podcasts, and more.
Emotional & Crisis Support is available if you’re struggling.
Please note The Widowed Collective is a peer to peer support community - we are not able to support directly with emergency or crisis situations.
If you’re feeling unsafe or at risk of harming yourself, 24/7 emotional support & crisis lines are available:
Samaritans – Call Samaritans for free, 24/7, on 116 123 (free from any UK phone). They’re there to listen without judgment, and help you feel a little safer.
Shout – Free, 24/7 crisis support by text. Text: SHOUT to 85258 to chat by text if you’re struggling to cope or feel in crisis.
NHS Urgent Mental Health Support (England) – You can call 111 anytime and choose the mental health option to speak with trained advisors and be directed to help.
Papyrus UK HOPELINE247 – 24/7 support for anyone under 35 who may be feeling suicidal. Call 0800 068 4141.
Charity Resources
& Support Groups
Widowed and Young
Widowed and Young (WAY) is the only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under when their partner died. It’s a peer to peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse are the UK’s leading bereavement charity, they make sure that everyone grieving gets the support they need when they need it.
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish support for bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.
Widows Empowerment Trust
Losing a life partner at any age has a severe impact on well-being. This charity strive to counteract loneliness, social isolation and loss of confidence in widows and widowers.
Army Widows’ Association
The Army Widows’ Association was formed by widows in 2004. They are a volunteer run organisation and charity. Their aim is to offer comfort, support and friendship to the widows and widowers of service men and women.
The Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust is run by the bereaved for the bereaved. The Good Grief Trust exists to help all those affected by grief in the UK. Their vision is to help those bereaved from day one, acknowledge their grief and provide reassurance, a virtual hand of friendship and ongoing support. They bring bereavement services together, to ensure that everyone receives the tailored support they need to move forward with their lives.
The Jolly Dollies
An organisation started by widows for widows. Their aim is to connect widows locally and nationally, reaching those who want and deserve a full, happy and supportive social life.
Widowers Club in the Warwickshire area
This Club meets every 4 weeks for Sunday lunch. They also meet individually on a weekly basis. They have a WhatsApp group that talk to each other daily. They believe this is the only Widowers club in the UK.
Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder charity offers bereavement support and counselling.
The Loss Foundation
The Loss Foundation is the only UK charity dedicated solely to providing bereavement support following the loss of a loved one to cancer, whether that be spouses, family members, friends or colleagues. Also being offered is specialist support for anyone who has lost someone to Covid-19.
WAY Up
Way Up is an active, online self-help group aimed at providing mutual support to those who have been widowed primarily, but not exclusively, in their 50’s and 60’s.
Brightest Stars
Bereavement support for children and families.
Soaring Spirits
US based organisation. Soaring Spirits has one goal; to connect widowed people with each other.
Hope for Widows Foundation
A philanthropic, charitable giving organization developed by widowed women that strives to offset the financial challenges of widowed women worldwide.
