Where there’s a Will, there’s a way… to help your local community

Almost half of UK adults don’t have a Will in place according to research by financial services provider Canada Life. In Winchester, that could equate to as many as 60,000 people currently without a Will. So, what’s your excuse?

Results from the report reveal that some of the most common reasons for people not making a Will include the fact people don’t feel they have enough assets to pass on, they think their partner will automatically inherit everything anyway, they’re too young to write a Will or that writing a Will is too expensive.

To highlight the importance of having a Will in place, eight local charities have joined forces to create Legacy Action Week, taking place next month, where they’ll be showcasing the support you can provide to your local community when leaving them a gift.

Mark Hainy, head of charity at Winchester Hospice, one of the charities involved, said; “At the hospice, we know all too well how important it is to have a Will in place. It gives people peace of mind at the end of their lives that their wishes will be met and gives those they leave behind one less thing to worry about.

“Like all the charities involved in Legacy Action Week, we’re thankful that many people, both those who have experienced our care and members of our local community, chose to leave us a gift in their Will. These important donations mean we’re able to plan ahead, ensuring we’re there for those who need us at this most crucial time.”

Winchester Hospice has teamed up with Trinity Winchester, Play to the Crowd, Friends of the Family, St John’s Winchester, Winchester Gold, Winchester Youth Counselling and Winchester and District Young Carers to host a week of events this April to highlight the important impact leaving them a gift in your Will can make. They’ll also be hosting a free event for local people to help explain everything you wanted to know about writing a Will and the difference you can make to your community when you’re gone.

Kirstie Mathieson, communications and development director of Play to the Crowd, added; “We know that writing a Will can be daunting for some people as it’s difficult for many to know where to start. There are a number of free events taking place during Legacy Action Week to breakdown some of the barriers, highlight the importance of writing a Will and how easy it is, including a free event taking place at Chesil House in Winchester on Wednesday 9 April. We’ll have solicitors on hand to talk you through some of the key things to think about and local charities, including Play to the Crowd, will also be present to explain the impact a gift in your Will can have on the work we’re able to do.”

‘Everything you wanted to know about Wills but were too afraid to ask’ will take place at Chesil House on Wednesday 9 April from 10am to 1pm. Solicitors and other legal professionals will be on hand to answer your questions and dispense their expert advice on Wills, probate and other important matters at this free event for local people. There’s no need to register your attendance, just drop in at a time that suits you.

Sue McKenna, chief executive at Trinity Winchester, explained; “People often think that leaving a gift to a charity in your Will needs to be a large sum but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We’ll be joining with other charities to highlight that leaving just 0.1% of your estate to a local charity can help us do great things to support your community. I encourage anyone interested in supporting local people through their Will to come along to the events throughout the week to see the impact your gift could make.”

Each charity taking part is different and the way they use any gifts left to them in Wills will impact the local community in a range of ways. For example.

• A £600 gift to Winchester Gold could fund an adult with learning disabilities to participate in a 12-week programme, equipping them with lifelong skills to enhance independence, confidence, and community participation.

• A £3,000 gift to Play to the Crowd would fund ten disadvantaged young people to attend their Playmakers Youth Theatre for a year to develop their creative and social skills, improve their mental health and build their self-esteem, confidence and empowerment.

• A £6,000 gift to Trinity Winchester could be used by them to fund counselling for female victims of domestic abuse for three months - and they currently have a six month waiting list.

• A £6,500 gift to Winchester Youth Counselling could fund 18 nature therapy sessions for ten young people.

• A £7,500 gift to Winchester Hospice could fund the care of all their patients, both at the hospice and in the community, for an entire day.

A range of events will be taking place across the week which runs from 7 to 13 April and all are free to attend for those wanting to find out more. These include:

• Monday 7 April, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Theatre Royal Winchester - The stories we leave behind: Remembering a charity in your Will. An entertaining and insightful evening where we lift the curtain on legacy giving – what it means and why it matters.

• Tuesday 8 April, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Trinity Winchester – Drop in afternoon. Find out how your gift can help end homelessness in the city.

• Wednesday 9 April, 10am to 1pm, Chesil House – Everything you wanted to know about Wills but were too afraid to ask at Chesil House. The chance to ask your burning questions about Wills, probate and more.

• Thursday 10 April, The ARC, 11am to 1pm – Drop in event. Meet our charities, find out more about them and the significant impact your gift to them in your Will can have on them and the work they do.

• Friday 11 April, 3pm to 5pm, Winchester Hospice – Tea @ 3. An opportunity to enjoy tea and cake in the award-winning hospice garden with an optional tour to see where generous donations are put to good use.

Further information about all of these events, and more, can be found at legacyactionweek.com