Leave a legacy

Leave a legacy 

Leaving a gift in your Will to Small Acts of Kindness is one of the most meaningful ways that you and your family can support our work in the future. Once you’ve taken care of your loved ones, please consider leaving a legacy to Small Acts of Kindness. 

It doesn’t matter how large or small, every gift helps us to support those most in need. It’s a chance to make a lasting impact on thousands of older people who are lonely, isolated and cold in their homes.

“Don’t underestimate the huge difference you’re making to people who often feel forgotten”

How your gift could make a positive impact on thousands of people

Every year, we source, pack and distribute thousands of Warm in Winter gift bags, at a cost price of £35 per bag. Each hand-packed and hand-delivered gift bag is a small act of kindness that makes a huge difference. 

They contain items that help to heat the person, when they can’t afford to heat their home.  One gift bag recipient said “I have sat freezing or gone to bed early because I can’t afford to heat my home”.  

Items include a fleece blanket, thermal gloves, hat, socks, hot drinks, soup and porridge. There is also our comprehensive ‘Purple Pages’ information pack, providing literature on opportunities for social engagement, support services and advice to help break the cycle of loneliness and isolation that can have such a devastating effect on an older person’s health.

Recipients tell us:

“I found it very comforting to think that people cared”

Why leave a gift in your Will

Every winter, 24,000 older people die in the UK as a result of cold weather (Age UK, 2021)

You have the power to help us continue making a lasting difference to the lives of thousands of older people who are lonely, isolated and cold in their homes. By leaving a gift in your Will to Small Acts of Kindness, you can create a legacy that helps and supports some of the most vulnerable, older, people in our community.

“Receiving this gift brought a tear to my eye. I often feel forgotten but this showed someone is thinking of me”

“The gift will go a long way to eliminate the winter threats. Thank you for everything that came in the gift bag, very ideal and useful”

Advice about writing or updating your Will 

Making a Will is a very personal and private matter.  Your first consideration will be to take care of and make proper provision for your loved ones, in the most tax-efficient way.  

The most common types of legacy gifts left in Wills are:

• Residuary gift: the residue (or a proportion of the residue) of an estate after all other gifts, debts and expenses have been paid.
• Pecuniary gift: This is a fixed sum. This type of gift will, over time, devalue with inflation. If you want to future proof your legacy you can ask your solicitor about index-linking your gift so its value keeps pace with inflation.
• Specific gift: a particular asset, for example an investment or property.

Free Will writing service 

We are delighted to be supported by HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors, our trusted partner, who are kindly offering a free Will writing service for those considering leaving a legacy or making a donation to Small Acts of Kindness.

For more information and if you wish to take part in the ‘Make a Will Scheme’ please contact Loren Adkin 01462 471 660 or email [email protected] and quote  ‘Small Acts of Kindness Make a Will Scheme’. 

The scheme only applies to simple Wills and you are under no obligation to leave a legacy or make a donation. If you instruct HRJ Foreman Laws under this scheme, they are required by law to verify your ID and there is a small fee for this which will be explained during an initial discussion with you. If your Wills are of a more complicated nature (i.e. if they incorporate a Trust), HRJ Foreman Laws will be able to discuss this with you and will provide you with their fees.

Home visits may be available but not guaranteed, depending on your location.

For general advice, about making or updating your Will, please visit the Government website www.gov.uk/make-will/writing-your-will. To find a solicitor, who is local to you, contact the Law Society on 020 7320 5757 www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/.

Help us to continue helping others, to feel cared for and remembered, with an increased sense of wellbeing, one small act of kindness at a time. Thank you.