Saturday December 6th 2025
The Widowed Collective board member, Nicky Wake
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A woman whose late husband, Jonathan Bolton, was born and raised in Edinburgh, is joining forces with three other widows this Christmas to ensure no one grieving the loss of a partner feels alone.
Natalie Bolton is launching #WidowedAtChristmas, a new campaign offering solidarity, comfort and community at a time of year that can feel painfully isolating after bereavement.
Natalie, 49, has joined forces with fellow widows Nicky Wake, Heather Smith and Rosie Moss to create the campaign.
They have all endured the heartbreak of losing their partners and the emotional weight of navigating Christmas during grief. United by their lived experience, they have come together to share support, guidance and hope with others who are facing the season without the person they love.
The four women are all board members of The Widowed Collective, the free, peer-to-peer support organisation founded earlier this year. The group is backing the campaign by sharing the women’s stories, advice and resources throughout December, and inviting widows and widowers across the UK to join the conversation using #WidowedAtChristmas.
Natalie met Edinburgh native Jonathan in 1998. They married in 2002 and welcomed twin daughters in 2007, Amelia and Isobel.
In March 2021, on Mother’s Day, Jonathan died unexpectedly at home from a sudden cardiac arrest, leaving Natalie to raise their girls alone as teenagers. His death came without warning, devastating a family built on laughter, closeness and deep affection.
Natalie Bolton and her late husband Jonathon
Natalie, who is now based in Manchester, said,
“Jonathan adored being a dad. He was wrapped around the girls’ fingers from day one. Our home was full of laughter, noise and love, and then suddenly it was just gone. Our first Christmas without him was something we simply couldn’t face.
“It was awful, painful in a way I didn’t know was possible. We did the only thing we felt able to do and ran away. We went to Mauritius because the idea of being at home without him was unbearable. The grief came with us, of course, but at least there was space to breathe.
“Now, as I approach my first Christmas hosting at home again, I know there will be joy and sadness, and that’s okay. Grief doesn’t take a holiday. You’re allowed to cry one minute and laugh the next. You’re allowed to scale things back or create new traditions. Christmas can hold grief and hope at the same time. Widowhood is lonely, misunderstood and full of stereotypes. We’re here to break those open and make sure people feel seen, heard and supported, especially at this time of year.
“My advice to anyone dreading Christmas is allow yourself to feel whatever comes. There is no ‘right’ way to do this. Let people help you. And remember that tiny moments of joy do not erase your grief, they coexist with it.”
Launched earlier this year, The Widowed Collective provides free peer to-peer support for anyone who has lost a romantic partner. It offers a moderated online community, practical guidance on legal matters, finances, solo parenting and wellbeing, and a growing programme of online and in- person meet-ups across the UK.
Open to widowed people of all ages, genders, sexual identities and marital statuses, the organisation provides a safe, stigma-free space led entirely by those with lived experience. Its board is made up exclusively of widows and widowers, ensuring every aspect of the organisation reflects the realities of life after loss.
In December, The Widowed Collective is also launching free online weekly drop-in sessions for widows and widowers, taking place every Monday evening, including during Christmas week.
For more information about #WidowedAtChristmas, or to join The Widowed Collective for free, visit www.thewidowedcollective.com, find The Widowed Collective on Facebook, or follow @TheWidowedCollective on Instagram.
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