Why leave a gift in your will?
Our amazing achievements as a charity are made possible partly because of the generosity of people who leave us gifts in wills. They help us fund breaks for children with challenging lives, support our network of volunteers, keep historic buildings open and maintained, and help us to enrich and change lives.
Your will is all about you and your wishes. Once you have decided how your family and friends will benefit, please consider leaving a gift to YHA. Any amount will make such a difference.
Make your will online or by phone
YHA has partnered with Farewill to offer our supporters the opportunity to write a free will online or by phone, saving you up to £160. This means you can make your will from the privacy of your own home.
Make your will in person
Thanks to our partnership with the National Free Wills Network, you can visit a local solicitors in person and have your basic will drafted free of charge.
Get our free gifts in wills guide
Enter your details to download a free copy or get in touch to request a printed copy by post.
Enter your details to download our free guide
Complimentary supporter events
Your invitation to join us
Come to a VIP event and find out more about YHA. There will be the opportunity to speak to YHA staff and Board of Trustees as well as an insight into how gifts in wills help our work continue.
Enjoy an overnight YHA with our compliments in a relaxed, no pressure atmosphere, and find out more about the work we do.
Upcoming events
Dates to be confirmed for 2025.
Places are limited. For more details about our supporter events, please email [email protected] or call 01629 700990.
Our promise to you
When you leave a gift to YHA (England & Wales):
- We’ll answer any questions sensitively, honestly and quickly.
- We won’t put you under pressure – this is a big decision so please decide in your own time.
- Your loved ones come first – we respect that and won’t try to change it
- We’ll use your special gift wisely and effectively.
- You don’t have to tell us your decision – we respect your right to privacy.
- You can come and see our services first hand – just let us know.
- If you want your gift to be spent in a specific area, we’ll arrange it.
How your support helps
From transforming young lives through adventure and travel to maintaining historically significant properties for future generations, gifts in wills are a hugely helpful support.
Please consider leaving a gift in your will to help YHA. Together, we can achieve so much.
People
We exist to ensure everyone can access the very real benefits of travel and adventure. Your support helps us reach those who would otherwise miss out on these vital opportunities.
Places
We care for a network of unique, often historic, buildings. Our hostels offer doorstep access to England and Wales’ most loved landscapes and landmarks. Your support helps us sustain and preserve them.
Programmes
Through education residentials, community outreach, volunteering opportunities and work readiness schemes, we build skills for life. Your support helps us positively impact more lives.
“I know, from personal experience, the life changing things YHA can do for young people. I wanted to give back for what YHA had given me. That’s why I spent 40 years of my life as a volunteer in YHA governance, ending up as Chairman. It’s also why I’ve made YHA a beneficiary in my will.”
– Chris
“The bulk of what I have to leave will be shared between my children and their families, however, there are two charities that are very close to my heart – one is YHA. I have made provision for gifts to both charities in the hope that I can make a small difference after my death, whenever that might be.”
– Karen
FAQs
Do I have to be wealthy to leave a gift in my will?
Including a gift to the YHA in your will doesn’t affect how much money you have to provide for old age. Your estate is calculated based on whatever is left after you die. If you arrange your gift to the YHA as a residuary gift, it will only be paid out after all the other gifts you leave to your family or friends have been made.
Wouldn’t it be better to help now rather than later?
You are very welcome to donate now if that is what you would prefer. Many people who leave a gift to YHA have also supported our work as a charity during their lifetime. Others use their wills to support our charity for the first time. If you’d like to discuss a gift now or later, call +44 (0)1629 700990 to speak to us.
Will my money be put to good use?
You can rest assured that any gift you leave will be put to good use. YHA is a charity with young people at the heart of what we do. Whether we are providing funding for those who cannot afford a holiday or improving our hostels to give a better stay, we offer life-enhancing experiences for those living challenging lives. Gifts in wills are so important in recreating the memories you enjoyed all those years ago for young people today.
What will my family think?
Your will is a reflection of what matters to you and for most people that is their family and friends.
Adding a gift in your will to charity doesn’t stop you from looking after your family, especially if the charity gift is from whatever is left after all your gifts to family have been made.
We involve family in the process and know that most are proud of the gifts their loved ones leave to YHA. This kindness from their loved ones, that they often didn’t know about until after you have gone, often helps the grieving process for them.
Can I choose how my gift to charity is spent?
Yes, of course! However, most people leave their gift to YHA without specific conditions so that it can be used wherever it will have the greatest effect, trusting YHA to decide when the time comes.
If a particular region or project has a special significance for you, we are more than happy to discuss the different options available. Simply give us a call on +44 (0)1629 700990.
Can I add a gift to an existing will?
Usually, yes. You can do this by adding a codicil. Your codicil changes an instruction in your will. We suggest that you should use a solicitor to do this, to make sure it fits smoothly with the rest of the gifts in your will. Please never write on an existing will as this action could negate it. You should keep any codicil with your existing will.
Do I need to tell YHA about a gift I’m leaving?
You don’t need to, but if you would like to tell us that you are leaving a gift, that would be wonderful. We would love to say thank you, and to keep you informed and inspired by our work.
What if I change my mind about a gift to YHA?
Circumstances change and we understand that. If you need to make changes please do so without worry. If you had mentioned a gift to YHA previously, please do let us know about the change.
Got a question? Get in touch
Send us a message
Submit your question to our team and we will get back to you soon.