2 June 2026

Sarah-Jane has supported Hestia for many years. We took the chance to chat to her about why she decided to leave a gift in her will to Hestia and the legacy she would like to create.

“I recently started thinking: ‘What footprint do I want to leave behind? What do I want to say about who I am and what matters to me?’. The idea of helping someone in the future move from a dark place to somewhere more hopeful felt like something I truly wanted to do. If you’re a child witnessing domestic abuse today, you’re considered the victim of a crime. When I was growing up in the 1970s, you were barely considered at all. My father’s rage was so terrifying, I used to run and hide in the curtains. Even after he left, there was a lot of shame and denial which really compounded the damage.

"I would love my legacy to give someone the gift of knowing that they matter and that they have agency."

Hestia works with mothers and children to help repair some of the deep harm inflicted by growing up around abusive relationships. They show how empathy, openness and creativity can start to heal even the most painful memories. Domestic abuse robs you of all self-esteem. It tells you that you don’t matter, that you have no value. I would love my legacy to give someone the gift of knowing that they matter and that they have agency. If someone is considering leaving Hestia a gift in their Will, I’d say “do it”! Hestia doesn’t shy away from difficult issues. It is this courage that drew me to them. The staff really care and they want to build a relationship with you. This feels important because legacies are deeply personal and a reflection of your identity. Knowing that you might one day be helping lift someone out of crisis into a safe harbour has got to be worth it.” 

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