A Will is essential – So why not get it for free

IN the midst of the chaos of the pandemic, most of us have thought about getting our houses in order and made a good start on our spring cleaning. Maybe you’ve sorted the garage and the loft, but what about paperwork and personal affairs.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners have recently commented on the large rise in numbers of people making time to either make or update their Will. How about you?

Did you know that Dorothy House has teamed up with legal experts, McClure Solicitors, to offer free and straightforward Will writing and Will review services for the month of May?

Taking advantage of this opportunity is easy. And during the lockdown, McClures are more than happy to do phone consultations or video calls to anyone looking for advice on Will making. They will even help you with a free Will review if you already have one in place. All they ask is that you consider a donation to Dorothy House, or another charity of your choosing, to express your thanks.

Your Will is your voice and it’s your chance to do something lasting for a charity you care for after you have gone. This is a true legacy.

For Dorothy House, every gift – big and small – allows us to continue providing care here in our community. In fact, one in every five of our patients is cared for thanks to gifts in Wills.

Every year we rely on you to help us fundraise, but this year has been significantly hampered due to COVID-19. In spite of this, we have stepped up and made key changes to our services to meet the needs:

• We have opened a virtual ‘Wellbeing Hub’, with clinical staff providing remote care and assistance for our non-urgent day patients. Staff speak to patients on the phone, provide advice on symptom management and use our specialised films to encourage staying well.
• We are increasing the size and reach of our Volunteer Companions team – these volunteers play a crucial role in reducing loneliness amongst our self-isolating patients, providing comfort through regular phone calls and even assisting with food shopping and prescription collections.
• We have opened a second Inpatient ward at Winsley with eight beds for general patients needing rehab and nursing care, who would otherwise have to be in hospital. This was organised in record speed and is located in our day patient wing to help keep more hospital beds free for those with COVID-19.

Crucially, we continue to do everything we possibly can to support our vulnerable patients in their homes. Our Doctors, Nurse Specialists and Hospice at Home carers are working tirelessly to ensure they receive the palliative and end of life support that they need, and deserve. In doing so, they are providing an essential support service.

However, we urgently need funds to enable us to continue to provide this essential care throughout, and beyond, the outbreak of COVID-19. A gift in your Will helps us to continue our work.

For example, a gift of £4000 could pay the entire running costs of our Hospice at Home service for one day. £540 would pay for three overnight shifts of one of our Hospice at Home carers who provide vital care for patients and families, when they need it the most.

A gift of 1% in your estate could make the world of difference to our charity and still mean that you can leave 99% to ensure your loved ones are taken care of as well.

For more information on our Free Wills Month in May, visit our website or call McClure on 0800 852 1999.