Leave a Gift in Your Will
The difference your legacy can make
A legacy gift to BrainWaves is one of the most meaningful ways you can ensure that future generations of young people have the mental health support they deserve.
Improving adolescent mental wellbeing is one of the defining challenges of our time. BrainWaves is working at the forefront through running world-class longitudinal research, creating evidence-based resources for schools, and developing tools that empower young people to understand and protect their own wellbeing.
We are a young charity with an ambitious mission, and legacy gifts are among the most transformative forms of support we can receive. A gift in your will, however large or small, creates a lasting impact that will ripple forward through the lives of young people for decades to come.
Advancing research
Legacy gifts fund long-term cohort studies and data infrastructure that take years, sometimes decades, to yield breakthroughs. Your gift supports science that outlasts any single funding cycle.
Equipping schools
We bring evidence-based mental health resources directly into classrooms. Legacy funding helps us expand to more schools and ensure that we can keep our curriculum free to access for educators everywhere.
Empowering young people
From our Young People’s Advisory Group to our wellbeing tools, your gift helps ensure young people are active partners in shaping the research and resources that directly affect their lives.
Building long-term resilience
Unrestricted legacy income gives BrainWaves the financial stability to plan boldly – funding new studies, growing partnerships, and responding to emerging needs in youth mental health.
How to include BrainWaves in your will
Leaving a gift in your will is a straightforward process. You do not need an existing will, and a legacy gift to BrainWaves need not be large to be meaningful. Here is how to get started:
Step 1 – Speak with a solicitor
We strongly recommend using a qualified solicitor to draft or update your will. They will ensure your wishes are correctly recorded and legally binding. Many solicitors offer a free or reduced-cost will-writing service for charitable gifts.
Step 2 – Decide the type of gift
You can choose to leave a specific sum of money (a pecuniary legacy) or a proportion of what remains in your estate after other gifts have been made (a residuary legacy). Both are equally valued and make a significant difference.
Step 3 – Use our suggested wording
Share the sample wording below with your solicitor to include BrainWaves as a beneficiary. Your solicitor may adapt the phrasing to fit the style of your will; what matters is that the charity’s name and registered number are correct.
Step 4 – Let us know (optional but appreciated)
You are under no obligation to tell us; your will is entirely private. However, if you do choose to let us know, we would love to thank you personally and keep you informed about the work your generosity will support.
Suggested wording for your solicitor
Please note: The wording above is provided as a guide only and is not legal advice. We strongly recommend working with a qualified solicitor when drafting or amending your will. The registered address of BrainWaves Research should be confirmed with us directly before finalising your will -please contact us and we will be happy to provide up-to-date details.
Option 1 — A specific sum of money (pecuniary legacy)
Option 2 — A share of your estate (residuary legacy)
A pecuniary legacy is a fixed amount, for example, £500, £5,000 or any sum you choose. It is simple to specify and gives you certainty over the value of the gift.
Suggested wording:
“I give the sum of [amount in words and figures, e.g. Five Thousand Pounds (£5,000)] free of all taxes and duties to BrainWaves Research, a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity number 1213437), of 132-134 Lots Road, London, SW10 0RJ, for its general charitable purposes. If this charity has changed its name or amalgamated with another charity, I wish the legacy to be paid to that charity or its successor. The receipt of the Chief Executive or other duly authorised officer shall be a full discharge to my executors.”
A residuary legacy is a percentage of what remains after all other gifts, debts and expenses have been settled. It automatically adjusts with your estate’s value over time.
Suggested wording:
“I give [the whole / X% of] the residue of my estatecharity in England and Wales (Charity number 1213437), of 132-134 Lots Road, London, SW10 0RJ, for its general charitable purposes. If this charity has changed its name or amalgamated with another charity, I wish the legacy to be paid to that charity or its successor. The receipt of the Chief Executive or other duly authorised officer shall be a full discharge to my executors.”
Frequently asked questions
Does leaving a gift to BrainWaves affect my family and loved ones?
Your family and loved ones always come first. A gift to BrainWaves should only be considered once you are confident that those closest to you are fully provided for. Most people choose to leave a residuary gift, a percentage of whatever remains, so their family receives their inheritance in full before BrainWaves benefits.
Does my gift have to be a large amount to make a difference?
Not at all. Every gift, whatever its size, contributes meaningfully to our mission. Many of the most impactful legacies charities receive are modest in value but significant in their collective effect. Even a small percentage of your estate, combined with gifts from others, can fund years of vital research or reach thousands of young people through our school programmes.
Can I specify how my gift is used?
Yes. If you have a particular area of BrainWaves’ work you are passionate about – such as research, in-school education you are welcome to specify this. However, an unrestricted gift gives us the greatest flexibility to direct funding where it is needed most. We recommend speaking to us before specifying a restriction, so we can confirm the area you have in mind aligns with our long-term plans.
Are gifts to BrainWaves exempt from Inheritance Tax?
In the UK, gifts to registered charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax. This means a gift to BrainWaves is deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated. If you leave 10% or more of your net estate to charity, you may also benefit from a reduced Inheritance Tax rate of 36% (rather than the standard 40%) on the remainder. Your solicitor or financial adviser can explain how this works in your specific circumstances.
Do I need to tell BrainWaves about my gift?
There is absolutely no obligation to let us know. Your will is entirely private and your intentions will be honoured regardless. That said, if you do choose to tell us, we would be delighted to hear from you. It allows us to thank you personally, share updates on our work, and ensure we have your correct details for our records – which can help avoid delays for your executors in the future.
I already have a will. How do I add a gift to BrainWaves?
If you have an existing will and wish to add or amend a charitable gift without rewriting the whole document, your solicitor can add a codicil – a simple legal supplement. This is often quick and inexpensive to arrange and does not require your original will to be replaced.
Get in touch with us
We would love to speak with you about legacy giving.
Our team is here to answer any questions you may have, with no obligation whatsoever.
Email us at enquiries@brainwaveshub.org or visit our Contact Us page.