05/09/2022

Has a charity ever helped you or someone you love? Chances are, at some point, your life will have been touched by a charity. From supporting people following a diagnosis, to providing advocacy and fighting for people’s rights, charities play a fundamental role in driving positive and lasting change. 5^th-11^th September marks Remember a Charity in your Will Week, and we are going to look at why remembering a charity in your Will is so important.

Charities are there for us when we need them the most, and people will continue to need support through difficult times in the future. It is easy to forget that charities can only do their amazing work because of support from the public.  

One of the most profound ways you can support charities into the future is to leave them a gift in your Will. With your generous support, charities can continue to thrive, and you can be sure you have helped make a positive difference in the world.  

Legacies have a huge impact on smaller charities

While smaller donations throughout our lives can really help charities, at the end of our lives, we are in a position to give more through a Will. These gifts can be employed to create huge change, especially for smaller charities. Remembering a charity in your Will is an amazing way to make a long-lasting difference, as charities are more likely to use a large gift to invest in things they will use far into the future, such as buildings and other infrastructure.

For a smaller charity, far from being a drop in the ocean, legacies can make an outsized difference, fundamentally changing the course of their work. Remembering a smaller charity in your Will could mean the difference between closing a day centre and keeping it open; between reducing the number of people they are able to support and expanding their services. The impact of legacy gifts for smaller charities cannot be overestimated. 

Leaving a Will can comfort loved ones

Creating a Will can reduce the stress of your passing for your loved ones. It can be incredibly upsetting for relatives to have to consider what a loved one would have wanted, and they may not be aware you would like to leave a legacy for a charity. Writing a Will can remove some of this uncertainty, and means one less thing for relatives to have to deal with at an already overwhelming time.

Remembering a charity in your Will can also provide a great sense of comfort for loved ones, as they know that although you have passed away, your kindness means other people’s lives will be made brighter and your influence will continue to be felt.  

Finally, remembering a charity in your Will can be a beautiful way to honor a loved one. Many people choose to leave a gift to a charity that was important to a loved one, to help keep their memory alive. It can help ensure that others receive the same level of care and support as they did in their own life.

Legacy giving and Guideposts

At Guideposts, 30% of our income comes from donors. All donations go directly towards supporting people with learning disabilities, dementia, and mental health conditions, as well as their loved ones and carers. Through the provision of day opportunities, friendship groups, and specialist support, Guideposts improves the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society and helps ensure that no-one is left behind. 

If a charity has touched your life, please consider leaving them a gift in your Will. To learn more about leaving a legacy to ensure the world is brighter for people with additional needs, please visit our ‘Leave a Gift in your Will’ page.