NEWS

A key and informative event designed to help local people plan for their later years is coming to Winchester and attendance is completely free. The team behind Legacy Action Week is proud to present The Later Years with Sir Peter Thornton, an insightful and accessible in‑person event designed to help local people, and their families, better understand the essential steps to getting their affairs in order. Sir Peter Thornton KC Hosted by Sir Peter Thornton KC, the first chie

When Dudley Hale was first diagnosed with terminal cancer, his local options were limited. To receive the specialist care he required, he often needed to travel as far as Southampton; a difficult journey when you’re unwell and struggling with mobility. It was during the height of the pandemic in 2020 that he noticed a lump in his throat. Tests later revealed it was cancer and he was told he had just three months left to live. “We were devastated,” his sister Donna Eaton s

By leaving a gift in your will, you have the power to change lives far into the future. That’s the message from Friends of the Family, a local charity that has been quietly transforming the lives of families in Winchester for more than 30 years. Through a range of dedicated support services, the organisation helps parents and children facing some of life’s toughest challenges find hope, stability and a fresh start. Over the decades it has supported hundreds of families to reb

Many of us can remember the moment we first fell in love with the arts. A show that made us laugh. A performance that opened our eyes. A creative experience that made us feel braver, happier or more connected. At Play to the Crowd, we create those moments of wonder every day for people across Winchester and beyond. “Play to the Crowd is a place where anyone and everyone is welcome, where art and storytelling is woven into the fabric of our community.” For many, stepping into

Local charities in Winchester are highlighting the difference that gifts left in wills can make to people’s lives, both now and in the future. At Winchester GoLD, we see that impact every week. Winchester GoLD supports adults with learning disabilities to live connected, confident and fulfilling lives. For many of our members, community is everything. A safe place to socialise. A chance to try new activities. An opportunity to build friendships and feel valued. Our sessio

Ben had been sleeping rough and trying to get through each day without falling apart. Everything was getting harder, fewer places to go, fewer people to turn to, and nowhere that felt safe. When he found Trinity, it wasn’t just a service. It was someone finally saying, “You matter. Let’s work this out together.” Ben was able to access our emergency accommodation and then move into Trinity’s supported housing, where he had the time and support to start rebuilding his life

Winchester and District Young Carers (WDYC) provides support for young people aged 8-25 who care for a family member due to a long-term illness, physical disability, learning difficulty, mental ill health or addiction. This could be a parent, grandparent or sibling whom they provide regular emotional and or practical support to. In 2023 the schools census changed, requesting schools report on how many young carers they have each year. Across Hampshire, 57% of primary and sec

Local charities in Winchester are highlighting the impact that gifts left in wills can have on communities, services and lives. We want to talk about impact. In Winchester, St John’s offers a powerful example of what lasting impact looks like. For over 900 years St Johns has provided a roof, a community, and a sense of belonging for people who need it most. Almshouses are self-contained homes which are low cost to people who would otherwise struggle to afford secure housi

Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) has provided free, flexible counselling and mental health to 11–25-year-olds in the Winchester area for almost 25 years. Our expert youth counsellors work both in the traditional indoor counselling setting and at schools, as well as engaging with the natural world in Walk and Talk sessions and Nature Therapy Groups. Our informal drop-in sessions and parent support groups across the district help to connect individuals to others with similar

Last year, eight local charities came together to demonstrate the powerful difference a gift in a Will can make to their work in and around Winchester. Following the success of the inaugural campaign, the group will be hosting an expanded programme of events in April designed to highlight the importance of having a Will in place and the huge difference a legacy can make for local charities. Legacy Action Week members Legacy Action Week will take place from Monday 20 April t

Almost half of UK adults don’t have a Will in place according to research by financial services provider Canada Life.