The people you’d trust with your story

Think of the friend who’s had your spare keys for years. They know your coffee order, your worst secret and which song makes you go quiet, or loud, in the car. Now imagine they’re the one you’d trust to look after your story when the time comes. That’s a gatekeeper.

On Twentyfive, it’s someone you choose to look after your wishes and your story, all gathered on your Twentyfive Card: the songs, the people, the little things only you’d think of. They only see what you choose to share. The rest is your call.

Why it’s such an honour

Out of everyone you know, you picked one. Someone who knows the real you, and who you trust to get it right. Being asked is a way of saying “I trust you with the real me”, and there aren’t many bigger compliments.

If you’re the one who’s been asked, take your time. It’s lovely to be thought of, and an honest no is fine too.

What a gatekeeper actually does

Less than you’d think. They look after your wishes and your story, see what you’ve chosen to share with them, and help make sure things happen the way you wanted when the time comes. It’s less about paperwork, more about being the person who knows what you’d want.

Who makes a good one

A partner, a best mate, a sibling, a cousin. Family or not, it’s about trust, not the family tree, and you can choose as many as you like. Not sure who? Here’s what makes a good gatekeeper.

You might hear “executor”, “next of kin” and “lasting power of attorney” in the same breath. They’re different jobs, and your gatekeeper can be the same person as any of them, or someone else entirely. We’ve got the plain version of each: executors, next of kin and lasting power of attorney.

Quick answers

Whoever just came to mind? That’s probably your answer.