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.
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.
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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.
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Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish support for bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder charity offers bereavement support and counselling.
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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.
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Soaring Spirits
US based organisation. Soaring Spirits has one goal; to connect widowed people with each other.
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Hope for Widows Foundation
A philanthropic, charitable giving organization developed by widowed women that strives to offset the financial challenges of widowed women worldwide.
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Camp Widow
Camp Widow is a series of widow retreats.
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National Widowers’ Organization
The National Widowers’ Organization educates the public about the unique needs of men who have lost their life partners.
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Legacy
Legacy is committed to ensuring no widow of a deceased veteran will ever face life’s challenges alone.
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The Australian Bereavement Register
A free service that prevents unwanted direct mailing to a deceased person, relieving families of undue anguish and lowering the risk of identity fraud.
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Griefline
Griefline works with anyone experiencing grief and loss across Australia.
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Mensline
MensLine Australia is a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
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Solace
Solace provides grief support for those grieving over the death of their partner.
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ICNA Relief Canada
ICNA Relief Canada aims to provide relief to widows around the world who have lost their primary caretakers from natural disasters and wars.
Information
If you’d like to write a guest blog post for Chapter 2, or know of any resources that we should include here, please email nicky@chapter2dating.co.uk
- a charity specifically for widows/widowers
- a podcast
- a blog or website
- financial resources
Blogs & Websites
A list of blogs and websites we find useful:
Podcasts
Financial & Practical Advice
Here at Chapter 2 we understand the frustration and challenges of dealing with the ‘sadmin’ (sad admin) when you lose a significant other. Please ensure you seek qualified, professional advice when it comes to money matters. Here are a few links that may be useful.
Bereavement Support Payment (UK) – A lump sum then a monthly payment from the government. Please ensure you make a claim as soon as possible to receive the full allowance. Currently this only applies to those married or in a civil partnership but that legislation may change soon.
Money Helper (UK) – www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/death-and-bereavement/dealing-with-finances-and-insurance-after-your-partner-dies
Citizens Advice (UK) – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/claiming-bereavement-support-payment/
Co-op Funeral Care (UK) – www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/advice/financial-advice-after-bereavement
WAY (UK) – It’s also worth noting Widowed and Young have a legal helpline for members – www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
Wings for Widows (US) – https://www.wingsforwidows.org/
