Planning ahead
Advance care planning
Advance care planning helps to make sure your wishes for future care or treatment are taken into account. You can write one with your healthcare professional, the people close to you, or on your own if you'd prefer. But it's good to share it with the people who will be involved in your future care. Advance care planning can include an advance statement and an advance decision to refuse treatment.
Read about advance care planning.
- NHS – Guide to advance statements: nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care/advance-statement
- NHS – Guide to advance decision to refuse treatment: nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care/advance-decision-to-refuse-treatment
Writing a Will
The National Will Register
Search for the Will of someone who has died if you cannot find it – whether or not it's been registered.
Helpline: 0330 100 3660
nationalwillregister.co.uk
Institute of Professional Willwriters
Self-regulatory body safeguarding the public from unqualified practitioners and unethical business practices. Can help refer you to an accredited Willwriter in the UK.
General queries: 0345 257 2570
Search the membership directory: ipw.org.uk/Membership-Directory
ipw.org.uk
Marie Curie's Free Will-writing Service
Anyone over the age of 18 can have their Will written for free with one of Marie Curie's Free Will-writing partners.
mariecurie.org.uk/donate/gift-in-will/free-will-writing-service
Society of Will Writers
Information and advice about legislation for Wills and Power of Attorney in the UK from a self-regulatory, not-for-profit body. It can help you find a Will writer in the UK.
General queries: 01522 687 888
Email: info@willwriters.com
Find a member in your local area: willwriters.com/listing
Organ donation
Human Tissue Authority
Provides practical and legal information on what's involved in donating your body to science in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Office number: 020 7269 1900
hta.gov.uk
Organ donation
Offers information and advice for anyone interested in organ donation.
General queries or to register as a donor: 0300 123 23 23
Text chat: 07860 034 343
England: organdonation.nhs.uk
Scotland: organdonation.scot
Wales: gov.wales/organ-donation
Northern Ireland: organdonationni.info
Power of Attorney
Courts and Tribunals service (Northern Ireland)
Provides government information about the Office of Care and Protection, which can advise on Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland.
028 9076 3000 (Textphone: 028 9052 7668)
justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/courts-and-tribunals
Office of Care and Protection (Northern Ireland)
Supervises individuals appointed to manage the finances or property of adults who can no longer do so for themselves. It can help if you need to make a lasting Power of Attorney and cannot find what you need online.
Customer Service Centre: 0300 200 7812
justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/courts-and-tribunals/office-care-and-protection-patients-section
Office of the Public Guardian (England and Wales)
Supervises people appointed to manage the finances or property of adults who are no longer able to do so for themselves in England and Wales. It can help you to make a lasting Power of Attorney if you cannot find what you need online.
0300 456 0300 (Textphone: 0115 934 2778)
Email: customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk
gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)
Supervises people appointed to manage the finances or property of adults who are no longer able to do so for themselves in Scotland. They can help you to make a lasting Power of Attorney if you cannot find what you need online.
01324 678398
Email: OPG@scotcourts.gov.uk
publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk
Digital legacy
Caring Bridge
Create your own website to share your experiences with family and friends.
caringbridge.org
Digital Legacy Association
Provides resources for healthcare professionals and the public. Helps people make arrangements for their digital legacy.
020 3286 6812
digitallegacyassociation.org
MyWishes
Has information and resources for sorting out your digital legacy, including tutorials for people who want to put plans in place at the end of life.
mywishes.co.uk
Rehoming a pet
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Provides information about rehoming dogs and cats in England.
General queries: 0800 001 4444
battersea.org.uk/rehome
Blue Cross
Offers advice on rehoming pets, with rehoming centres in England and Wales. Contact your local centre to find out more about pet rehoming.
Find your local Blue Cross centre: bluecross.org.uk/find-us
Customer Care team: 0300 790 9903
bluecross.org.uk/what-if-i-need-give-my-pet
The Cinnamon Trust
Has a network of volunteers that provide practical pet care services, including fostering, to support older people and people affected by terminal illness.
01736 757 900
cinnamon.org.uk
National Animal Welfare Trust
Runs rehoming centres across the south of England. Contact your local centre to find out more about pet rehoming.
Office number: 020 8950 177
Find your local centre: nawt.org.uk/our-services/our-centres/
nawt.org.uk/useful-information/giving-up-my-pet/
Scottish SPCA
Has information about rehoming pets in Scotland, including contact details for rehoming centres.
03000 999 999
scottishspca.org
7th Heaven Animal Rescue
Has information about pet rehoming in Northern Ireland.
02894 432 229
7thheaven.org.uk
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About this information
This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances. Read more about how our information is created and how it's used.
