Learning disability charity makes free will writing service available ahead of Remember a Charity Week

Learning disability charity Hft is offering a free will writing service to encourage young adults to make their first ever will, after research reveals that 5.4 million adults do not know where to begin when it comes to writing a will.

A recent Wills and Probate report by IRN Research found that fewer than four in 10 adults in the UK have made a will.

Hft has partnered with Bequeathed –an organisation and website where supporters can have their simple Will written for free.

Bequeathed guides you through a simple online questionnaire, offering guidance and support throughout. You’re then able to download your Will for free, and Bequeathed can recommend a solicitor if advice is needed.

Michael Sergison, who recently became an Hft supporter, has made his first ever will with Bequeathed, the charity’s free wills partner. Michael said: “I recently turned 30 and it suddenly dawned on me that I need to make a plan for my future finances.

“The process was so easy; I’ve avoided making a will in the past because I thought it would be confusing and complicated, but Bequeathed explained everything clearly to me. I’ll definitely be telling my friends and family about the free offer.

“Considering there is a cost of living crisis where we’ve seen the price of our bills, fuel and food rapidly increasing, it’s genuinely reassuring that I’m able to protect my finances for free.

“I like to support worthy causes, but since my finances are so stretched at the moment, I’ve had to reconsider how I support charities. I’m really proud to have left a gift in my will to Hft and its incredible work, so I can still support them without it impacting my day-to-day living costs.”

The free will writing service is being offered ahead of Remember a Charity Week, which runs from 5 – 11 September, and encourages more people to consider leaving a gift to charity in their Will.

Hft rely on individual supporters a huge amount of its income, and gifts in wills contribute about a third of the fundraised support every year. Operating as a charity in the underfunded and under resourced social care system is hugely challenging, gifts in wills ensure that people with learning disabilities in the charity’s care are protected.

Katie Tennyson, Gifts in wills Manager at Hft, stated: “If the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is very unpredictable.

“As a charity, we’re proud to be able to offer this incredible service to anyone over the age of 18 for free. But if you can support people with learning disabilities with a gift in your Will at the same time, it can help us adapt to any eventuality and make sure the needs of the people we support are always put first – whatever the future holds.”

The charity always recommend having a will written by a solicitor with expertise in wills and probate, this is the best way to ensure that the will accurately reflects the desired wishes and is correctly witnessed.

To find out more about Hft’s offer, contact giftsinwills@hft.org.uk or call 0117 9061 700.