# The Widowed Collective > Source: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/the-widowed-collective | Publisher: Dating Industry Insights (High Intent Media Inc) | Last checked: 2026-10-23 **In short:** The Widowed Collective is a not-for-profit community interest company in Manchester, England, offering free, peer-led support to widows and widowers. It was founded by Nicky Wake, who also founded the Chapter 2 Dating app and WidowsFire, and is supported by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd. It matters to dating because it serves the widowed market from outside paid dating. ## Key facts - Type: Non-profit support community - Headquarters: Manchester, United Kingdom - Founded: 2025 - Status: Active - Website: thewidowedcollective.com - Legal form: Community interest company, private company limited by guarantee without share capital [source](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16516345) - Company number: 16516345 [source](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16516345) - Incorporated: 13 June 2025; status active (2025-06-13) [source](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16516345) - Founder: Nicky Wake, co-founder and CEO; previously founded Chapter 2 Dating and WidowsFire [source](https://www.thewidowedcollective.com/team) - Supporting company: Supported by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd (2026) [source](https://www.thewidowedcollective.com/team) - Location: Manchester, England [source](https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/chapter-2-dating-founder-nicky-wake-launches-support-community-for-bereaved-partners/) - Membership and services: Free membership with resources, a private forum and online and in-person events, open to widows and widowers [source](https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/chapter-2-dating-founder-nicky-wake-launches-support-community-for-bereaved-partners/) - Expansion plans: Fundraising to expand into the United States [source](https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/chapter-2-dating-founder-nicky-wake-launches-support-community-for-bereaved-partners/) ## About The Widowed Collective is a community interest company (CIC) based in Manchester, England. It offers support to people who have lost a life partner. Companies House lists it as an active private company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 13 June 2025 under company number 16516345. Its website describes it as a not-for-profit CIC and says it is supported by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd. The organisation was launched by Nicky Wake, who is its co-founder and chief executive. She previously founded Chapter 2, described on the Collective's site as the UK's first dating app for widows and widowers, and WidowsFire. Press coverage at launch said membership is free and includes resources, a private forum and a calendar of online and in-person events. Its first in-person social was held at a Manchester venue, and virtual sessions were planned to follow. Wake has said it is a CIC rather than a charity, and that income goes back into growing the community. It also said it was fundraising to expand into the United States. For the dating industry, the Collective is a sign of demand among widowed people for peer support that is separate from dating. It shares a founder and a supporting company with Chapter 2 Dating, so it sits close to a niche dating brand while operating as a non-profit community. ## Stories about The Widowed Collective - [Widowhood Dating: Nicky Wake's Non-Profit Move Exposes a Market Gap](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/chapter-2-dating-founder-launches-collective) (2025-09-24) ## Questions **What is The Widowed Collective?** A not-for-profit community interest company in Manchester that offers free, peer-led support to widows and widowers. **Who founded it?** Nicky Wake, who also founded Chapter 2 Dating and WidowsFire. **Is it a charity or a dating app?** Neither. Its founder says it is a CIC rather than a charity, and it is a support community rather than a dating app. **Is membership free?** Yes. Press coverage at launch said membership is free. **What does The Widowed Collective do?** The Widowed Collective is a not-for-profit community interest company in Manchester, England, offering free, peer-led support to widows and widowers. It was founded by Nicky Wake, who also founded the Chapter 2 Dating app and WidowsFire, and is supported by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd. **Where is The Widowed Collective based?** The Widowed Collective is based in Manchester, United Kingdom. **When was The Widowed Collective founded?** The Widowed Collective was founded in 2025. --- Canonical: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/companies/the-widowed-collective