Leave a legacy to The Elizabeth Foundation and help deaf children all over the country learn to speak for themselves.

“when we arrived at the Foundation just weeks after Emily had had meningitis and days after she had been diagnosed as profoundly deaf we were a mess. The staff at the Elizabeth Foundation did not even blink. They calmly welcomed us in, supported us and for the next 3 years showed us how Emily’s life, whilst different to what it would have been, could be no less enjoyable. The sky is still the limit for her and we will be eternally grateful to them for getting us through that difficult time.”

John and Nicki Sharpley

You may already have experience of the Elizabeth Foundation and be clear in your mind that you would like to leave something to us. Fantastic! But if you are still in any doubt, please take a moment to read about us, to look around our web site, and to learn a little more about who we are and what we do.

In a nutshell, it is The Elizabeth Foundation’s belief that it is the right of every deaf child to be given the opportunity to learn to listen and talk. We support the whole family, from the child and its parents, to their siblings and extended family if that is needed. We have never turned any child away. We offer baby and toddler groups, home learning courses, a home experience where you can learn how to help your child within your own home, trained teachers for the deaf and audiologists.

But mostly we offer experience, love, shared knowledge and support.

“When Louis’ sister Nina was struggling to understand his deafness, she too was welcomed into the nursery which was a huge help for her. It’s that sort of flexibility that makes the Foundation unique.”
Polly

Did you know that every new born baby is now screened for hearing loss within a few weeks of birth? Imagine this is your first child, you have barely had a chance to bond with it and already you are being told the child has a serious hearing problem. Where do you go for help and support now? For many, you go to the Elizabeth Foundation where you will meet others who have been through a similar experience.

And later when you are making educational choices for your child who will go the extra mile to make sure they are fully prepared for this big step? Who will help you to teach them to be independent but also have the courage to ask for help? The Elizabeth Foundation has been preparing children for school for years, whether that is mainstream education or something more specialist.

We are a charity. We work hard to raise funds, encourage donations and apply for grants. If you are able to leave a legacy to us in your will we can guarantee that it will benefit deaf babies and their families throughout the country.
To hear about how families have benefited read their own contributions.

We are sure you will be both moved and impressed! Thank you for considering us!

Making a will and keeping it up to date is very important. If you don’t do this you cannot be sure that your money and property will go to those you want it to go to. So the advice is always very simple and very clear, Make a will now! Don’t delay!

Step 1.

Choose a solicitor. There are hazards in drawing up your own Will without advice. This, after all, is a serious legal document and has to stand up to close scrutiny. You need to be sure you do not omit anything important. The clearer it is for those you leave behind, the easier it will be for them. If you do not already have a solicitor try using the Law Society Web Site. They can help you find one close to you. We have provided a web address for you at the bottom of this page.

Step 2.

What should you include? There are the more obvious things you need to work out, such as what you have in the way of property, home contents, cars, jewellery, insurance policies, shares, savings etc. But don’t forget, this can also be your opportunity to include your specific wishes with regards funeral arrangements, burial or cremation. Perhaps you are interested in helping with future medical research. You might also like to appoint legal guardians to care for your children if you or your partner should die before they are 18. You also need to think in terms of who your executors will be, ie the people who will deal with your estate when you die.

Step 3.

Decide who the beneficiaries will be. These might be your children and immediate family, your surviving partner, friends and a charity of your choice. Remember, money left to charities is completely free of inheritance tax.

• A specific sum of money – Pecuniary Legacy
• What is left after all your other wishes have been carried out and expenses met – Residuary Legacy
• A particular item of value – Specific Bequest
• A gift to be made only upon the death of the person you first intended to benefit – Conditional Bequest

Obviously you should seek the advice of your solicitor when you decide upon the type of legacy you wish to leave.

Please call us at The Elizabeth Foundation directly for further information.

The Elizabeth Foundation is also a member of an organisation called Remember a Charity. This has some helpful advice on how to write a will and can be called on Tel 0808 1 80 20 80 or visit their web site at www.rememberacharity.org.uk

Finally, if you are unsure how to find a solicitor, you might like to visit the Law Society web site at http://www.lawsociety.org.uk

Here you can search by type of firm, and/or location. And of course you will have the reassurance of them being a member of the Law Society.

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