Published on: Thursday 11 May 2017 at 11:05
Take part in our Make a Will Fortnight
When it comes to looking after our family, there isn’t much we wouldn’t do to take care of them. It may come as a surprise then, that when it comes to stating our wishes for after we’ve gone, more than half of adults living in the UK admit that they do not have a Will.
To mark St Clare’s Make a Will Fortnight 2017 we are reminding people that writing your Will is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your family is cared for – and that it is never too soon to start thinking about it.
From 12 to 23 June, thirteen solicitors’ offices across West Essex and East Herts, our catchment area, have kindly volunteered their time to enable you to make your Will. From Bishop’s Stortford to Buckhurst Hill, and from Woodford to Saffron Walden, you are certain to find a participating solicitor near you.
Making a Will is something which St Clare student social worker, Danielle Mathias, admits she and her partner Karl had never really thought about before she began working at St Clare. The 28 year old mother of two who lives in Stansted, was busy planning her family’s future, saving to buy their first home and building her career. However, after helping families at St Clare, Danielle has a whole new outlook on what it means to care for her own family.
Danielle said: “Working as a social worker at St Clare has made me realise that you never know what is just around the corner. I have seen a number of young people, with young children, pass away at St Clare – and it makes you think. When it comes to looking after our families, there isn’t anything we wouldn’t do. Writing your Will is so important. It is a simple thing that we can all do to ensure that our family is cared for. Life is precious, and you can’t be afraid to have these conversations.”
“Everyone should have a Will, but it is even more vital when you have children or own a house. Your children are the most important thing in the world, and writing a Will is one important thing you can do to make sure they are safe. It really is never too early to make a Will, and it will give you piece of mind that your family is cared for in the future.”
“I often meet families who are not only going through the stress of a terminal illness, or the pain of losing someone they love, but are also caused unnecessary distress by the lack of their loved one having a Will. If you don’t make a Will, it is the people you leave behind that end up suffering. It really is worth making your wishes known in advance and planning what you would like to happen, so that your family is saved from further stress and anxiety at one of life’s hardest moments.”
“I am going to write my Will during St Clare’s Make a Will fortnight. I encourage everyone who wants to ensure their children and loved ones are cared for to do the same.”
From 12 to 23 June, over a dozen local solicitors are volunteering their time to enable you to make your Will. All that they request is that you kindly make the suggested minimum donation to St Clare Hospice of £180 for a Single Will and £250 for a Double Will.
Appointments are limited so please contact your chosen solicitor today. Find out where your nearest participating solicitor is here.
For more information about Make a Will Fortnight please contact St Clare Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy Jacobs on 01279 773758 or amy.jacobs@stclarehospice.org.uk