Leaving a legacy to Woodcraft Folk
Can you remember Woodcraft Folk in your will?
If you leave a legacy to Woodcraft Folk, you can help the next generation build themselves a fairer world.
For nearly 100 years, Woodcraft Folk has been working with children and young people with the aim of building a world based on equality, friendship, peace and social justice. Our organisation has been built on the voluntary efforts of many thousands of people, who have offered both their time and their money to help develop our work.
Now we are need your help to keep supporting young people for the next 100 years. If you are considering making a gift to the Woodcraft Folk in your will, we hope that this short web page will answer any questions you may have.
Making a will
Many people in the UK have not made a will, even though it is easy to do. A will means that you have control over who your goods and money will be distributed to, rather than your assets being distributed according to intestate laws.
Most people consult a solicitor, who will be able to to give you professional advice and make the will-writing process simple and quick. Many solicitors will have a set small fee for help with drafting a simple will.
The Law Society are the independent professional body for solicitors in the UK, and you can search their official database for solicitors near you: lawsociety.org.uk
We strongly suggest you consult a solicitor when writing your will – we are unable to provide professional advice.
Helping Woodcraft Folk
When you are thinking about writing or updating your will, we hope that you will consider including Woodcraft Folk.
As a charity, Woodcraft Folk benefits from the automatic tax exemption which exists on legacies to charities in cases where Inheritance Tax is payable.
A gift to the general benefit of the Woodcraft Folk’s charitable aims will be used to best effect, in the area of our work where the need is greatest. A general benefit legacy will provide enduring support to our aims and principles into the future.
A gift for a specific purpose
If you want to consider giving a gift to Woodcraft Folk for a particular purpose, the Woodcraft Folk Treasurer will be happy to talk to you or your solicitor at any time, and also to provide guidance to avoid any potential difficulties.
Types of gift
The most impactful legacy you can leave is a residuary gift. You can arrange for a percentage or all of the residue of your estate to be given to Woodcraft Folk. The residue is the amount left over, after other legacies and bequests have been made. Because the value of a residuary gift is not affected by inflation, this sort of gift is particularly appreciated.
Anyone can leave a gift in their will, you don’t have to own property or have a certain amount of money. With a residual gift, even a small percentage of your estate can make a big difference.
You may also decide that you want to give a particular amount of money, or perhaps a specific item which you own, to Woodcraft Folk.
Leaving the decision to your executors
Some people arrange for part of their estate to be left to charitable causes, but leave it up to their executors (the people who you ask to execute the will on your behalf) to decide which organisations to support. If you choose this route, you may like to make sure that your executors know of your interest in the work of Woodcraft Folk.
The Roger Pickering Solidarity Fund
Common Ground in 2022 was an international camp for 3,000 young people. Roger Pickering left us an incredible legacy gift that allowed us to offer camp bookings for a reduced fee for those who would benefit the most.
Roger’s legacy supported 150 UK participants and volunteers who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. Here are some of their stories:
“I loved meeting all the new people and making new friends. I couldn’t have gone to camp without the help from Woodcraft, thank you so much.”
– Pioneer participant
“I’m on a low income and would never have considered coming to [Common Ground] without the opportunity of funding”
– Group leader
If you have already made a will
It is easy to arrange to add an extra instruction, known as a codicil, to your will. We recommend that you consult a solicitor over the precise wording to use.
Contact us
If you have any questions about leaving Woodcraft Folk a legacy, or what impact your gift could have on the next generation of young people, please contact us by filling in this form or using the contact details below:
(+44) 020 7703 4173
Woodcraft Folk, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS
Caution: the rules for the way a will is signed and witnessed are very important and if not followed correctly may make a will invalid.
Further information on leaving a charitable gift in your will may be found on the UK Government website and money advice service.
We strongly suggest that you consult a solicitor when writing your will — we are unable to provide professional advice.
