Legacy Giving
Leaving a gift in your will
Thinking about the future can feel daunting, but writing a will is one of the simplest ways to take care of the people and causes you care about.
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It is a practical act of kindness that can make your wishes clearer, reduce uncertainty for the people close to you and continue to help others long into the future.
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Many people who are part of Good Company tell us that this community has given them friendship, confidence, practical support and a sense of belonging. Leaving a gift in your will is one way of helping more older adults, carers and people living with dementia experience that same welcome in the years to come.
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You do not need to be wealthy or have a large estate. After taking care of the people closest to you, even a small gift can help sustain local clubs, provide one-to-one support, equip and train volunteers and ensure there is always somewhere friendly to turn.
Write or update your will for free
Good Company supporters can access a free will-writing service through Octopus Legacy.
The service is kindly supported by Aspen Insurance, now Sompo.
You can choose the option that feels most comfortable for you:
Online
Create your will through a straightforward step-by-step online process, with support available and your will checked by Octopus Legacy’s legal team.​
Over the phone
Speak to an adviser and complete your will during an appointment over the telephone or by video call.​​
In person
Arrange a home visit or branch appointment with a solicitor or will writer, subject to availability in your area.
There is no obligation to leave a gift to Good Company when using the service. Your first priority should always be the people and causes that matter most to you. We would, of course, be deeply grateful if you chose to remember Good Company in your will.
You can also call Octopus Legacy on 020 4525 3605 and quote The Good Company People.
Why make a will?
A will is a legal document that sets out what you would like to happen to your money, property and possessions after you die.
It allows you to decide:
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Who should receive your money and belongings
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Who you trust to carry out your wishes
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Who should care for any dependent children
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Whether you would like to leave particular items or sums of money
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Whether you would like to remember a charity or cause
Without a valid will, the law decides how your estate is distributed. This may not reflect what you would have chosen, particularly if you are unmarried, part of a stepfamily or would like to leave something to a friend or charity.
Writing a will can bring peace of mind and make things clearer for family and friends at what may already be a difficult time.
You may already have a will
Making a will is not always about starting from scratch.
It is sensible to review an existing will when your circumstances change, for example following:
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A marriage or civil partnership
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Separation or divorce
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The birth of a child or grandchild
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A house move
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The death of someone named in your will
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A significant change in your finances
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A change in the people or causes you wish to support
A will cannot simply be edited after it has been signed. A change must be made through a properly signed and witnessed codicil, or by making a new will.
For anything more than a straightforward alteration, it is sensible to seek professional advice.
How to leave a gift to The Good Company People
You can leave a gift to Good Company in several ways.
A share of your estate
You can leave a percentage of what remains after debts, expenses and any other gifts have been paid. This is often known as a residuary gift.
Because it is a proportion rather than a fixed sum, it can retain its value as circumstances change.
A fixed amount
You can leave a particular sum of money. This is known as a pecuniary gift.
A specific item
You can leave an individual possession, such as jewellery, artwork or property.
Your solicitor or will-writing adviser can help you decide which option is most appropriate for your wishes and circumstances.
The details to include
Please use our full charity details:
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The Good Company People
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered charity number: 1202836
Registered address: 1 Monastery Gardens, Rotherfield, East Sussex, TN6 3NB
Using the full name, charity number and address helps your executors identify the correct organisation and carry out your wishes clearly.
Suggested wording to discuss with your adviser
I give [a percentage of my residuary estate / the sum of £___ / the following item] to The Good Company People, Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered charity number 1202836, of 1 Monastery Gardens, Rotherfield, East Sussex, TN6 3NB, for its general charitable purposes.
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This wording is provided as a starting point only. Your solicitor or will-writing adviser should ensure that the wording is suitable for your will and circumstances.
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Telling us about your gift
You do not have to tell us that you have included Good Company in your will.
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However, if you feel comfortable doing so, we would be very grateful to hear from you. Knowing about your intentions helps us understand the future support for our work and gives us an opportunity to thank you properly.
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Anything you tell us will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Letting us know does not create a binding commitment, and you remain free to change your mind or update your will at any time.
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You do not need to tell us the value or details of your gift.
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Email: hello@thegoodcompanypeople.org
Telephone: 07472 564519
Wills and dementia
A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean that someone is unable to make or update a will.
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What matters is whether the person has the capacity to understand and make that particular decision at the time.
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Capacity can vary from one decision to another and may also change over time. A person may be able to make a decision if they can understand the relevant information, retain it long enough to decide, weigh up the options and communicate their decision.
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Because making a will has its own legal requirements, anyone who has concerns about capacity should speak to an experienced solicitor or will-writing professional. A medical opinion may also be recommended, particularly where there is a risk that the will could later be questioned.
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Planning as early as possible gives the person more time, choice and opportunity to express what matters to them.
The Know-How
Planning Ahead
Writing a will is one important part of planning for the future, but there may be other things you would also like to consider.
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You do not need to do everything at once.
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Our Planning Ahead information can help you think about:
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Making or updating a will
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Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney
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Recording your health and care wishes
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Keeping important information together
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Understanding benefits and financial support
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Preparing for an emergency
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Letters of wishes
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Probate and managing an estate
