Good “Neighbours” Family Problems? Needed to Join Valuable New Network Ask Danielle Messenger from Pictons Solicitors for Top Legal Advice
T
he Hospice of St Francis in collaboration with four other community organisations is looking for volunteers to help support isolated individuals in their own homes, as part of the new Herts Neighbours Network Project. The role will involve giving a helping hand with a variety of jobs from shopping and driving to light cleaning as well as offering companionship and a listening ear to those living at home with a life–limiting illness or those who are elderly or isolated with complex health needs. Thanks to a £110k award from the Cabinet Office, the collaborative initiative involving the Berkhamstedbased hospice, Peace Hospice Care, Herts County Council, and Herts Community Trust, aims to connect the community and bridge the gap of social isolation. It is encouraging the wider community to share responsibility for providing compassionate support for patients at home at the end of their lives, rather than relying on health and social care professionals alone. Polly Traxler, Rehabilitation Team and Social Work Manager at The Hospice of St Francis, said, “Complex needs are common amongst people who are at the end of their life and this extremely valuable project aims to reduce the reliance solely on professional care services, ease the load on families and prevent social isolation by harnessing the power of volunteers. “Together with our other partners we are urgently seeking committed volunteers to join the Network and are holding an information day
on 10th March, which is open to anyone who’s interested in finding out more. “Anyone accepted as a volunteer will receive full training from the Neighbours Project team, before of course undergoing all appropriate safeguarding checks. “Getting involved as a volunteer - for a minimum of two hours a week - is a great way to give something back and can make a huge difference to an isolated individual, helping them to feel supported and connected to their community and making all the difference to their wellbeing and quality of life.” The project team is also starting to identify members of the community who would benefit from the new service, encouraging referrals from health and social care professionals as well as accepting self-referrals and taking recommendations from family and neighbours. An informal Information Session will be held at Peace Hospice Care in Watford on Tuesday 10th March 2015, 10am – 12 to give interested volunteers more information about the project. This will be followed by a two-day training event on Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th March at Peace Hospice Care. A second two-day training event will take place at The Hospice of St Francis in June on a date to be confirmed. To register your interest in volunteering or discuss how the project might benefit someone in the community, please contact the Herts Neighbours Network Project co-ordinators on 01923 330346 and hertsvolunteer@ peacehospicecare.org.uk
How do I keep my parents and new fiancé happy when it comes to protecting the substantial inheritance I’ve just received? Q. I have just proposed to my girlfriend and we are planning to marry in the summer. I am an only child and have recently received a substantial inheritance from my grandparents. My parents are trying to encourage me to enter into a prenuptial agreement, but I don't want to upset my fiancé by raising this, if it is not enforceable anyway. A. Prenuptial agreements are treated differently around the world. In England and Wales, you can not currently exclude the court's jurisdiction to deal with financial matters on divorce. However, the prenup is a factor the court will take into account, should there be a dispute about financial matters on divorce. The courts are attaching greater weight to such agreements and will try to uphold the content, where the document has been drawn up properly. For example, has there been financial disclosure, did the parties take independent legal advice, was it signed at least 28 days (previously 21) before the marriage? The court will also need to consider if the needs of any children have been met. Failure to give thought to how the primary carer will house and support any children, may result in the court having to go against the terms of the prenup to make sure the children's needs are met. You should take legal advice from a family solicitor early on, to make sure the document is properly prepared to offer you the best protection.Please contact Danielle Messenger if you need Family Law advice Email: danielle.messenger@pictons.co.uk Telephone: 01442 229644 Address: Pictons Solicitors, 1 The Waterhouse, Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1ES Danielle Messenger is a qualified Solicitor and Associate at Pictons with over 10 years of experience in Family Law Facebook: Pictons Solicitors Twitter: @pictons
The Abbots Langley Village Life | March 2015 | PAGE 15