Princess Alice Hospice supporter and volunteer
For being there. For local people. Forever.
For over 40 years, Princess Alice Hospice has been here for people living across a large part of Surrey, Middlesex and south west London.
We see people, not patients
On any given day, Princess Alice nurses, doctors and specialist staff, are looking after more than 1,000 people in need. Together with our team of over 1,200 dedicated volunteers, we do everything we can to ensure they get the excellent end of life care they deserve.
We’re here for families and friends
Our support goes beyond the patients. We offer family and friends the help and advice they need to make the most of the precious time they have left with their loved ones.
And we’re here to support them after the death too, helping them look back with fondness and forward with hope.
We’re here to make death better for everyone
Through our teaching, training and research, we are advancing end of life care standards, improving quality of life, from diagnosis to death.
We’re here whenever and however we’re needed most... But to ensure we can continue to be here – well into the future – we depend on gifts in Wills from people like you.
£11.5 million is the cost of providing our vital care each year.
Over 1/3 of this money comes from gifts in Wills.
For comfort. For care. For local people.
Leaving a gift in your Will is simple to do – and it will make a difference not just at the Hospice in Esher, but in the homes of patients and their families right across our care area of 600 square miles.
It could help us buy specialised equipment – like an adapted bed in our in-patient unit, for someone who needs ongoing medical support.
It could pay for a vital service – for example, it could enable one of our Night Nurses to offer overnight nursing care to someone who has chosen to spend their last days in
familiar surroundings, at home with their family and pets.
Or it could help us be there for families, helping them come to terms with the loss of their loved one at our bereavement group meetings or our special Dovetail Group for children.
“Even a small gift makes a difference. It enables our team of doctors, staff, and volunteers to provide exceptional care and support to our patients and their families.”
Staff Nurse Princess Alice Hospice
Touching moments. Touching lives.
Your gift could touch lives in so many ways, big or small. As well as providing care on our in-patient unit and in patients’ homes, it could help us provide complimentary services such as:
l Compassionate Neighbours –a group of trained volunteers, who visit people in the community, offering friendship and a listening ear to patients, their families and carers.
l Our Wellbeing Centre – the hub of our out-patient services, which offers therapeutic care and a range of activities to manage symptoms, build confidence and help people with life-limiting conditions live as independently as possible.
l Therapies – to help patients cope better with their illness and prognosis – enabling them to manage their symptoms, maintain their independence and enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible.
l Education and research –delivered by our team, and advancing end of life care standards.
For local people. For family. For friends.
Over 40 years ago, we made a promise to provide free, high-quality palliative and end of life care to people in our care area who need it most.
We are committed to continuing to do this. But we are keenly aware that the number of people who will need us will grow significantly in the years to come – as the local population gets older and annual death rates rise.
And, with NHS budgets under strain, we will have an ever-widening funding gap to fill. Right now, less than a fifth of our funding comes from NHS grants.
Now more than ever, we need to find new ways of providing care, supporting families and carers, and sharing our knowledge and skills with the wider community – and we rely on our supporters to do this.
Gifts in Wills are vital to help us face these challenges and reach more people who need our care. They give us the confidence that we will always be there when we’re needed most, whether that’s ten, twenty or thirty years from now.
The Care Quality Commission rated our care as ‘Outstanding’, and compassion is at the heart of everything we do - whether managing symptoms or supporting physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Our promise to you.
l Our supporters are very important to us. We appreciate your generosity and never take it for granted.
l We take care to ensure that our fundraising not only complies with the law but doesn’t offend or pressurise you in any way. And we always respect your privacy. You don’t need to tell us how much you’re
planning to leave and a gift of any size will make a difference.
l When writing a Will, we understand that those closest to you come first. We promise that whatever support you can give, it will make a difference, helping us continue to provide compassionate care in your community.
‘’We’re so grateful to our loyal community and to those kind people who support us by leaving a gift in their Will. Each year, these gifts represent over a third of our net income. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver our services, free of charge, to ensure local patients and families have the best care and support, today and for years to come, before, during and after death.”
Nigel Seymour Chief Executive, Princess Alice Hospice
Your questions answered.
Here are answers to some of the things we’re most commonly asked.
“Why do I need a Will?”
An up-to-date Will helps ensure those closest to you are provided for after your death. It’s also a chance to help shape the future for our local community for generations to come.
“I already support Princess Alice Hospice – why should I leave a gift in my Will?”
We’re incredibly grateful for your current support. But you may not realise that over a 1/3 of our care is funded through gifts in Wills. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide the care that makes such a difference to the lives of local people.
“How big should a gift in my Will be?”
This is entirely up to you. Whatever gift you decide to leave – whether large, small or something in between – will make a lasting difference. You can leave:
a residuary gift – this is a share of your estate after those closest to you have been taken care of.
a pecuniary gift – this is an amount specified by you.
an item – such as jewellery or property.
“How will my gift be spent?”
Gifts in Wills are vital to our future. The money you leave will be used to help us continue to offer high-quality care and support, before, during and after death – and reach more people as the need for our services grows.
“Can I specify where I want my gift to go?”
We don’t know what the future holds. It helps if our supporters indicate that they’re happy for us to use their gift however it is needed most at the time.
“What if I already have a Will?”
It is often simpler to create a new Will but it is also easy to update or amend an existing Will to include a gift to Princess Alice Hospice. Just ask your solicitor.
“What about inheritance tax?”
A gift to Princess Alice Hospice in your Will may help to reduce the inheritance tax paid on your estate. To find out more visit www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax.
“Can I leave a gift in memory of a loved one?”
Many people choose to leave a gift to Princess Alice Hospice in their Will, as a lasting memorial to a loved one. If there is someone special you want to remember, please let us know.
“To leave a gift to Princess Alice Hospice, what do I need to include in my Will?”
You just need to include our Registered charity name, number and address.
Princess Alice Hospice, West End Lane, Esher, KT10 8NA
Registered charity number: 1010930
‘’It’s just so peaceful and I feel close to Kath whenever I’m here. I will never forget the care she was given and I’ll always do whatever I can to support Princess Alice Hospice, including leaving a gift in my Will.”
Chris Chris, whose sister Kathleen was cared for by Princess Alice Hospice
Including Princess Alice Hospice in your Will should be very straightforward. But if there is anything we can help with – or something more you’d like to know –please get in touch with us. Our Legacy team are always happy to hear from supporters and will answer any questions you may have, we can also invite you into the Hospice for a tour and to meet our valued staff and volunteers.
giftsinwills@pah.org.uk 01372 461808
Chris
Millward, Head of Legacies, Princess Alice Hospice
“I know how much it costs to deliver our vital care, free of charge to our local community. That’s why it’s very important to me to leave a legacy to Princess Alice Hospice in my Will and to think my contribution goes on for a bit longer.”
Jane Formby MBE, Honorary President, Princess Alice Hospice
“My husband spent his last days at Princess Alice Hospice. The professional care, compassion and kindness he received during those difficult days was outstanding. I believe that by leaving a gift, I will contribute to the future sustainability of this special place, ensuing its vital work continues.”
Princess Alice Hospice supporter and volunteer
To find out more; pah.org.uk/giftsinwills giftsinwills@pah.org.uk 01372 461808 Princess Alice Hospice, West End
Esher, KT10 8NA