What is Cambridge Widows?

Cambridge Widows is a growing support group for widows in and around Cambridge.  It was formed by Judy Reith and Helen Judson, after being introduced by a mutual neighbour soon after their husbands died of cancer. Leonie Hyde now runs the group with us. We all share a passion to support other widows by providing friendship, connection and solidarity.

We have monthly meet-ups for widows which provide valuable support and friendship to cope with our grief, whatever our background. We also arrange social activities which are open to anyone who has been widowed (men and women), such as walks, outings and fund raising events for charities. In Spring 2024 we held the first Widowed Choir day in Cambridge.  

Our Values

Acceptance: Connection: Friendship

Why Cambridge Widows helps

We are local. Our unique offer is meeting in person. So much bereavement help is online only, which is valuable, but nothing replaces the warmth and solidarity from meeting together. We laugh, we cry. We have difficult, fascinating, and reassuring conversations, that range from what to do with wedding rings, to managing family and friends, anniversaries, and milestones. At a recent gathering, one of our members called it a ‘wonderful hug of an evening’.

We are different women dealing with one of the hardest things you have to face. We are mostly aged between 45 and 65 at an age we did not expect to be widowed. Some of us are working. Some are mothers to teenagers or adult children. Some are not. One remarried recently.

We get it. Come and join us.