What would happen if your local Hospice wasn’t here?

A gift in your Will, also known as a legacy, can help care live on for local families — today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

How do I leave a gift in my Will?

Making a Will and keeping it up to date is essential in making sure that your loved ones will benefit in the way you intended after you die. 

After looking after those closest to you, a gift in your Will to The Shakespeare Hospice could help ensure our care is here for others long into the future.

How a gift in your Will can make a difference

Legacy gifts safeguard the services that mean the most to our community. They ensure specialised Hospice care will always be here for local people, whenever it’s needed. Gifts in Wills help us with:

  • Specialised nursing and symptom management, at the Hospice and in people’s homes.
  • Emotional, practical and bereavement support for families.
  • A calm, reassuring presence through the most difficult times.
  • Care that remains free at the point of need — thanks to the generosity of people who choose to leave a gift in their Will.

Contact us

Get in touch if you have left us a gift in your Will, or if you have any queries.

The Benefits of Leaving a Gift in Your Will

Leaving a gift in your Will can be one of the most tax‑efficient ways to support your local Hospice — and it often benefits both your estate and your loved ones.

Charitable gifts are usually exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT)

Gifts to registered charities are generally not subject to Inheritance Tax, meaning they are deducted from your estate before tax is calculated.

Leaving 10% or more to charity can reduce your tax rate

If you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, the Inheritance Tax rate on the remainder of your estate may drop from 40% to 36%.

This can mean your family may receive more while still supporting a cause close to your heart.

Legacy gifts can reduce the taxable value of your estate

Because charitable gifts are exempt, they can reduce the value of your estate for IHT purposes, sometimes moving it below the tax threshold.

Different types of gifts offer flexibility

From a fixed sum to a percentage of your estate or a specific item, each type is handled favourably within IHT rules.

Many supporters choose a residual gift, as it adjusts automatically to the size of your estate — ensuring loved ones come first.

Your gift may cost less than you think

Because legacy gifts reduce the overall taxable estate, the effective cost to your estate may be significantly lower than the gift amount.

Straightforward for your executors

Charitable gifts are treated as exempt gifts, which help simplify estate administration for executors.

Your current finances will not be affected

Leaving a legacy allows you to support the Hospice in the future without changing anything about your financial situation today.

You keep full control of your money throughout your lifetime, while still making a meaningful difference for generations to come.

Please speak to your solicitor for any further information and personalised advice.

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

How your legacy could make a difference to those in our care

£1,134

could help find a counselling programme for a patient or their loved one

£1,400

could help fund a group residential trip for children experiencing a bereavement

£10,194

could help fund our Hospice at Home service for one week

 

What type of gift shall I leave in my Will?

There are several different types of legacy and choosing how to make your gift is an important decision. Consider each option carefully to help you decide on the right one for you. 

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

Residuary

A residuary gift is a percentage or share of the balance of your estate once all other payments and gifts have been made.

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

Pecuniary

A pecuniary gift is a fixed amount of money. Ask your solicitor about index-linking a cash gift to ensure the relative value stays the same over time.

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

Specific

A specific gift is a gift of a specific item such as jewellery, artwork or property.

We always recommend that you speak to a solicitor when making or amending a Will. If you choose to leave The Shakespeare Hospice a legacy in your Will, please ensure that you use our registered address and charity number:

Address
The Shakespeare Hospice, Church Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9UL

Registered charity number
1064091

If you need to find a solicitor, The Law Society can put you in contact with a reputable solicitor who will incorporate your wishes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

Make a Will Month

Every March and October, we take part in the national Make a Will Month campaign so our supporters can make or update a simple Will for free with one of our partner solicitors. All we ask for in return is a small donation to The Shakespeare Hospice.

Your donation could go a long way in helping provide palliative and end of life care to someone in the local community with a life-limiting illness.

The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will

FREE Online Will Service

We've partnered with Make a Will Online so that anyone aged 18 or over can easily write or update a simple Will for FREE. This is paid for by The Shakespeare Hospice, but you are under no obligation to leave us a gift to take advantage of the service. You can choose to donate the cost of making the Will (£40.00 for one or £80.00 for two) to the Hospice when using the service.

Making a Will online is an easy 3-step process and every Will is checked by a fully qualified UK solicitor. Simply answer a straightforward set of questions, review and when you're happy, confirm. You will receive your Will by email or post.

Contact us

For any general enquiries about The Shakespeare Hospice, please complete the below online form.

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The Shakespeare Hospice - Leave a gift in your Will