Gifts in wills
Leave someone a home after you've looked after your own
Once you've provided for the people you love, a gift in your will — however small — can give someone in the North East a safe place to sleep for years to come.
Why it matters
The gift that keeps someone off the street
Gifts in wills are among the most valuable donations any charity receives. They aren't tied to a campaign or a year — they let us commit to people for the long haul, take on a supported property, or keep the immediate access beds open through a hard winter.
You don't need to be wealthy for it to matter. A gift of any size, left after your family and friends are provided for, becomes something lasting: a bed, a front door, a fresh start for someone who had run out of options.
There's no obligation to tell us, and no pressure if you do. But if you'd like to, we'd love the chance to say thank you.
Types of gift
Three ways to leave a gift
Your solicitor will help you choose the one that fits your circumstances.
A share of what's left
A percentage of your estate once everything else has been settled. It keeps its value over time, so it never needs updating for inflation.
A fixed sum
A set amount of money — straightforward to arrange, though worth reviewing every few years so it keeps pace.
A specific item
A property, shares, jewellery or furniture. We'll either use it directly in our work or sell it to fund housing and support.
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Look after your own first
Family and friends come first, always. A gift to us is what you choose to leave afterwards.
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Speak to a solicitor
Writing or updating a will properly is quick and inexpensive, and makes sure your wishes stand.
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Give them our details
They'll need our full name and registered charity number — both are just below.
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Tell us, if you'd like to
Entirely optional and never binding — but it lets us thank you properly and plan ahead.
The details your solicitor will need
Cornerstone Supported Housing & Counselling
Give your solicitor our full registered name and charity number so there's no ambiguity later. If you'd like your gift directed towards something in particular — immediate access beds, the workshop, or a specific hub — tell us and we'll make sure it goes there.
Leaving a gift to charity can also reduce the Inheritance Tax due on your estate. Your solicitor or financial adviser can explain what that means in your circumstances.
- Registered charity number 1145726
- Every gift stays in County Durham and Hartlepool
- Gifts to charity are free of UK Inheritance Tax
- You can name what you'd like your gift to fund
Mam spent her whole life making sure other people had somewhere to sit down and something warm to eat. Leaving something to Cornerstone was the most like her thing we could think of.
Gifts in wills FAQs
Questions people often have
We're happy to talk any of this through, with no pressure and no obligation whatsoever.
Do I have to leave a large amount?
Not at all. Gifts of every size make a difference, and most of the legacies we receive are modest. What matters is that it comes after the people you love are looked after.
Do I need to tell you?
No — it's your will and it stays private. If you do let us know, it helps us plan and gives us the chance to thank you, but you're free to change your mind at any time.
I already have a will. Can I still add a gift?
Yes. A solicitor can add a short amendment called a codicil, which is quicker and cheaper than rewriting the whole will.
Can I say what it's spent on?
You can. Many people choose to direct their gift towards immediate access accommodation, the workshop or a particular hub. Let us know and we'll record your wishes.
Is there a tax benefit?
Gifts to registered charities are exempt from UK Inheritance Tax, and leaving 10% or more of your estate to charity can reduce the rate paid on the rest. Your solicitor can advise on your own situation — we're not able to give financial advice.
Can I give in memory of someone instead?
Yes, and many families do. We can set up an in-memory collection or a tribute page — just get in touch and we'll take care of it gently.
A gift that outlasts all of us
If you'd like to talk it through — or you'd simply rather help today — we're here either way.