A Legacy of Care by smhospicehereford

A Legacy of care

Your guide to leaving a gift in your Will to St Michael’s Hospice

By leaving a gift in my Will, I hope to help St Michael’s be there for others who need them just as much as we did.

Kath W, Ledbury

Welcome

And thank you for considering St Michael’s Hospice for a gift in your Will

"I’ve always believed that everyone deserves comfort, dignity, and compassionate care at the end of their life—whether in the peaceful surroundings of St Michael’s Hospice or in the familiar embrace of their own home. It is a true privilege to provide this care to those who need it most.

None of this would be possible without the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Thanks to you, we are able to care for thousands of people across our community every year, helping them and their loved ones through one of life’s most difficult journeys.

Our care is free of charge to patients and their families. We rely on the generosity of our community to raise over £10 million each year to keep our inpatient, community, and support services running.—

and, more than ever, gifts in Wills.

In fact, on average, a quarter of our care is funded by gifts left in Wills, by people like you. Their kindness means that St Michael’s Hospice will always be here, offering warmth, care, and dignity to those who need us most.

For many, leaving a gift in their Will to St Michael’s Hospice is a natural and meaningful way to ensure that this vital care continues for generations to come."

After providing for your family and friends, I hope you will consider including a gift in your Will to St Michael’s Hospice.

With your support, when local people and their families need care, St Michael’s Hospice will always be here for them to turn to.

Will you care to remember? Thank you.

Rachel Jones, Income Generation, Marketing & Communications Director

Get in touch: legacy@smhospicehereford.org St Michael’s gave my brother comfort, support, and relief when he needed it most.

A gift in your Will means others like him will never face the end alone.

If you'd like to see the impact of your gift, we’d love to welcome you to the Hospice to meet our team and explore our facilities.

Barb T, Malvern

Why are gifts in Wills vital for St Michael’s Hospice?

We simply wouldn’t be here today without the kindness of supporters like you.

Gifts in Wills have played a vital role in helping us grow, invest in our facilities, and reach more people in our community who need compassionate end-of-life care.

These special gifts helped us build our wonderful hospice, and today, they continue to ensure we can meet the growing need for care services. Each year, we aim to support more than 2,400 people in our community at the end of their lives. With our growing and ageing population, we know this number will increase in the years to come.

Gifts in Wills not only allow us to respond to these growing needs, they also give us the confidence to plan ahead—so we can reach more families, ensuring that everyone recieving care from us is met with warmth, dignity, and compassion.

Your kindness today can make a lasting difference for generations to come.

Get in touch with us: legacy@smhospicehereford.org or call 01432 851000

With the power of your legacy...

Our Day Services team supported over 380 patients visiting St Michael's Hospice.

Our Hospice at Home team supported 807 patients in their own homes.

We’ve provided inpatient care to over 250 patients.

Our 24/7 Support Line answered over

14,300 calls. Our supportive care services have helped over 1,700 patients.

Why do you need an up-to-date Will?

Having an up-to-date Will is one of the most important things you can do for the people you love.

It ensures that your wishes are carried out exactly as you want, protecting your family from unnecessary stress, confusion, and potential conflicts during an already difficult time.

Without a clear and legally binding Will, disagreements can arise, sometimes causing lasting damage to relationships between those closest to you. An out-of-date Will might not reflect your true intentions, and without a Will at all, the law—not you—will decide who inherits your estate. This could mean that people or causes dear to you, like St Michael’s Hospice, receive nothing.

Many people assume that if they’re married, their entire estate will automatically pass to their spouse. But in cases of second marriages, blended families, or complex financial situations, that’s not always the case. The reality is that dying without a Will can lead to lengthy legal delays, unexpected financial burdens, and outcomes that may not align with your wishes.

By taking the simple step of writing or updating your Will, you can protect the people and causes you care about most—ensuring your legacy is one of love, care, and support.

Talk to us today: legacy@smhospicehereford.org or call 01432 851000

Because of St Michael’s, my dad’s final days were peaceful. My gift will help ensure that care is always there for others in need.

Jess A, Hereford

Making your Will

Writing a Will may seem like a big deal, but it needn’t be daunting.

We do however, recommend that you seek the services of a solicitor or a suitably qualified professional to have your Will written. They can discuss any worries or concerns you may have.

Writing your own Will should be avoided. It can be risky because probate law, inheritance tax and the language used are not always straightforward. If all the required legal procedures aren’t followed, you could end up making your Will null and void.

Checklist:

1. Find a trusted expert or online service

We hold regular Will writing days that offer guidance and support at your consultation. Check out the website for upcoming events.

You can find other solicitors with expertise in Will writing on the Law Society’s website at lawsociety.org.uk

We have a free online Will writing service, should you prefer to make your Will online from the comfort of your own home. We also host regular will writing days with an expert. For more information visit: bit.ly/SMH_FreeWillClinic

2. Preparing to meet with a solicitor

To make the process even simpler, it’s worth preparing some information before you speak to your solicitor.

• Make a list of your assets – everything you own and its approximate value i.e. a house or other property, life insurance, bank accounts, stocks & shares, ISAs, foreign assets, valuable items - like jewellery, antiques and collectables.

• Make a list of your liabilities – everything you owe i.e. outstanding mortgage, loans or HP (Hire Purchase) agreements, credit cards, overdraft, tax bills.

• List your beneficiaries – the people you want to benefit from your Will Their names and addresses, and whether you’ll leave them a percentage, an amount or a specific item.

3. Making a charitable gift

Have the names and charity numbers of any charity you want to include.

For example: St Michael’s Hospice, Bartestree, Hereford, HR1 4HA, Registered Charity Number 511179.

How we can help

If you are considering supporting St Michael’s Hospice with a gift in your Will, thank you so much. With your gift, more families will be able to benefit from the amazing palliative care that St Michael's Hospice provides.

Talk

to us

Our team is always happy to have an informal, no-obligation conversation about leaving a gift in your Will and to answer any questions you may have.

Talk to us today: legacy@smhospicehereford.org or call 01432 851000

Keeping your Will safe

Once you have made your Will, it’s important that your Executor(s) knows where it is stored so that your wishes can be carried out. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your Will with your personal papers relating to your Will together with the original document in safe custody.

Many solicitors offer this service for free, so once you’ve selected one, be sure to ask if they can keep your Will safe for you.

Frequently asked questions

What if I already have a Will?

Life events such as getting married or divorced, having grandchildren, retiring or inheriting are often opportunities to update your Will. However, it’s important to review your Will regularly, to make sure it still reflects your wishes and current circumstances.

This can be a good opportunity to add a gift to St Michael’s Hospice. When you write a new Will it overwrites any previous Wills. So if you have used a solicitor to write your Will before, they will write a new one with any additional changes you request.

What kind of gift is best?

Residuary (%) or pecuniary (£)?

Any gift you give will be gratefully received. However, a percentage of your estate (residuary gift) may have a greater impact as the value of your gift keeps pace with inflation. If you prefer to nominate a specific sum (pecuniary gift) please remember its value will diminish over time.

How much do I have to give?

There’s no minimum or maximum amount. Whatever you decide to give, it will make a huge difference to local families. Every gift will make a meaningful difference to our community, no matter the size.

Are there any tax benefits?

Charitable legacies are exempt from Inheritance Tax and currently, if you leave more than 10%* of your estate to charity, Inheritance Tax is reduced by 4%* which could save your loved ones paying more than they need to. Always consult a professional for financial advice specific to you.

*Subject to legislation and tax rate changes, correct as of Sept 2025.

How do I include a gift to St Michael’s Hospice in my Will?

It’s very easy. Just contact your solicitor or advisor, let them know our charity name ‘St Michael’s Hospice’, our registered address ‘Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA’ and charity number ‘511179’. It can be done in minutes.

How to word your Will

Thank you for considering leaving a gift to St Michael's Hospice in your Will. If you do decide to include a gift, you may wish to use the suggested wording below. Always check with your legal advisor to ensure this is suitable for your personal circumstances.

If you wish to leave a % of your estate’s value (residuary gift):

I GIVE free of inheritance tax XX% of my residuary estate to St Michael’s Hospice (Registered charity number 511179) of Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA and I DECLARE that the receipt of the Treasurer or other Officer of the charity shall be a sufficient discharge to the Executors/Trustees.

If you wish to leave a specific sum (pecuniary gift):

I GIVE free of inheritance tax the sum of [AMOUNT IN WORDS] [AMOUNT IN NUMBERS] to St Michael’s Hospice (registered charity number 511179) of Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA.

If your specific needs are not covered by the forms of wording we have provided, for example if you are gifting shares, jewellery or a property, please speak to you expert for advice.

Talk to us today: legacy@smhospicehereford.org or call 01432 851000

See what your gift could do

The care and support that we are able to provide at St Michael’s Hospice and in people’s homes is second-to-none.

This is only possible because of the incredible support we receive from our community. Supporters like you help ensure that people facing the end of life can access the compassionate, expert care they need— completely free of charge. Gifts in Wills play a vital role in making this care available to everyone who needs it.

If you’d like to find out more about how we would use a gift in your Will to help care for more people in our community, please contact us on 01432 851000 or email legacy@smhospicehereford.org

Join us for upcoming events like webinars and Will writing drop-ins

We’d love to let you know about our upcoming legacy related events so that you can get all your questions answered. They’re also a chance to find out more about St Michael’s Hospice and how a gift in your Will could be used to provide care to people in our local community. Just pop your details in the form, drop it back to us at: St Michael's Hospice, Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA and you’ll be the first to know about these events.

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