Widows and widowers from across London are being invited to a new community event bringing together bereaved singles to meet others who understand their journey and are looking for friendship or even romance. Chapter 2 Dating, a platform for widowed people founded by former Islington resident Nicky Wake, is hosting a ‘Widowed Speed Social’ in Central London on 2nd December 2025, giving attendees the chance to connect, chat and explore new relationships in a safe, welcoming environment.
According to 2021 Census data, 4.2% of Londoners are widowed, with the highest proportions found in boroughs such as Havering (6.4%), Bexley (6.1%) and Bromley (5.7%).
For many, dating and socialising after losing a life partner can feel daunting, lonely and overwhelming. That’s why Nicky Wake, who previously lived in Islington, founded Chapter 2 Dating, the UK’s first dating app exclusively for widows and widowers.
Now, Chapter 2 is taking the community offline too, with in-person events giving people the chance to meet face-to-face, make connections, and take steps toward friendship, companionship or romance in a supportive environment.
Founder Nicky, 53, experienced first-hand the profound challenges of widowhood following the death of her husband Andy in 2020. Andy suffered a catastrophic heart attack and brain injury in 2017, which ultimately led to his passing in a specialist care facility after three years of medical complications. Nicky was left to navigate parenting alone of their then nine-year-old son, Finn, while managing the emotional and practical realities of starting over and rebuilding her life.
The ‘Widowed Speed Social’ is a completely free event running from 6pm to 9pm on Tuesday 2nd December, at Simmons Bar in Central London, just a short walk from Bank Station. Participants will enjoy brief, three-minute one-to-one conversations designed to make connecting easy and pressure-free. Two complimentary drinks are included, and attendees can choose to join the speed-social session or simply mingle at their own pace.
The event strongly encourages men to attend, recognising that widowed men are often overlooked in bereavement communities and may need extra reassurance to take part.
Nicky Wake said, “After losing Andy, I eventually decided to start dating again, and I was shocked by how isolating and depressing mainstream apps felt. I realised there was nothing that truly supported or understood widowed people. That’s when I knew I had to create Chapter 2.
Widowhood changes everything, and it can feel incredibly isolating. This event is open to widows and widowers from across London. It’s an opportunity to meet others who truly understand what life after loss can feel like, to share conversation, laughter, and the possibility of forming meaningful friendships or exploring new romantic connections. We particularly hope men will attend, as widowed men can often feel overlooked and may benefit from this supportive, understanding environment.
This event is about creating real human connections and supporting people to take that step to be part of a community that understands their journey. I’ve been there myself, and I know how important it is to feel safe and supported while opening yourself up again.”
To sign up for the event or to find more out about Chapter 2 Dating, please visit www.chapter2dating.app or email info@chapter2dating.app