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Remembering clergy households

In addition to caring for your loved ones, your Will is an opportunity to remember the service of clergy and their families.

Thanks to the generosity of those who leave gifts, we're able to support clergy, their partners and their children from training to retirement, including over 2,700 households last year.

If you've already written your Will, please consider remembering the ministry of clergy, those who have spent their lives serving others, and have a chat with your solicitor.

If you've not yet written your Will, why not take advantage of our new service, which will let you write your Will for free?

To get started, click the button below and enter this code: CLERGYSUPPORT

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Two men, sat at a table with a hot drink, in conversation.

How does it work?

We work with a company called Farewill, to offer a service where you can can write your Will for free.

Our Will Writing Service will help ensure your final wishes are clear, simply and effectively, and also means you can easily support the Trust, if you choose to.

In these challenging financial times, many people find it easier to pledge a gift for the future, than to give a gift today. In fact, we receive more donations from legacy gifts each year than through any other form of fundraising.

To get started, click the button below and enter this code: CLERGYSUPPORT

Write your Will today

Types of gift

We use gifts, big and small, to help clergy households in need. There are three kinds of gift that you can pledge to Clergy Support Trust in your Will:

A share or percentage of your estate ('a residuary gift')
This is given from what is left after other specific gifts, such as to your loved ones, have been made.

A specific sum of money (a 'pecuniary gift')
You can ask your solicitor to review this sum from time to time, to ensure it is not affected by inflation, and that it continues to reflect your generosity.

A particular item
This might be a property, shares, jewellery or a work of art.

Ian's legacy

The Reverend Ian Atkinson served as a vicar in London, in South Africa and later in a non-stipendiary role in Scotland, preaching on a regular basis and providing home communion for those unable to attend church for over 25 years.

Throughout his life, he took over 1,500 services and kept all his handwritten sermons. When he moved into a care home, Ian worked with a local writer to pick out some of his favourites. He sadly passed away in May 2022, one week after completing his book, “A Life in Sermons”.

Ian, his twin sister, Patricia and older sister, Eileen generously chose to leave gifts to various charities.

As clergy, Ian spent his life supporting others. A gift in his Will has allowed us to continue his legacy, walking alongside the Anglican clergy - and their families - who serve others.

The impact of your gift

£500 could provide an Emergency grant. Becca's car is vital to her rural ministry, and when a blown water pump ground life to a halt, we were able to pay for the repairs.
£1,000 could provide a Wellbeing grant. When clergy child, Josiah's family moved to a new area with a new school, the transition was a challenge for his wellbeing and his dyspraxia. We funded lessons at a riding school, and his physiotherapists are astounded at his progress.
£5,000 could provide debt support for a family in crisis. Sam, his wife and children were left thousands of pounds worse off when Child Tax Credits changed to Universal Credit. Maxing out credit cards and borrowing from the Church food bank, we helped ease the financial and mental strain.

Josiah's story

Thanks to a Wellbeing grant, clergy child, Josiah's become a regular at the local stables, where he's gained a newfound confidence. His physiotherapists are astounded.

Frequently asked questions

Will the nation I live in affect how can I use this service?

People living in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can write their Will for free over the phone, by calling Farewill on 020 3695 2090. Tell them that you're taking advantage of Clergy Support Trust's Free Wills offer. You may also need to quote this code: CLERGYSUPPORT

However, to write your Will online, you must be based in England or Wales.

If you live outside of the UK, unfortunately you will unable to use the Will Writing Service.

What if I've already written a Will, but I want to include the Trust in it?

If you've already written a Will, you can still leave a Gift to the Trust without having to use the Farewill service.

Simply contact your Solicitor, inform them of your wishes and provide them with our Charity Name (Clergy Support Trust) and Charity Number (207736).

You don't have to tell us of your intentions, but if you'd like to:

Email us at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.
Call us on 020 7799 3696, and ask for the External Relations team.
Write to us at 1 Dean Trench Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3HB.

What if I want to write a Will, but I don't want to leave a gift to the Trust?

This service is free and open to all. We'd also encourage our applicants, serving and retired clergy and their families, to take advantage of this offer to have your Will written for free.

However, there is no pressure or expectation for those using the service to leave a gift to Clergy Support Trust. Gifts of all sizes, big and small, would be very much appreciated as we continue to support more clergy households than ever before - but this is not a requirement when you write your Will.

What if I want to support you in another way?

If you'd like to make a donation, outside of your Will, you can do so on the Donate page of our website.

You can donate online by Credit or Debit Card, become part of our community as a Steward or Governor, donate with a Stewardship or CAF Account, or find out more about how to donate by cheque, or how to help us claim Gift Aid.

A donation today means that you can see the impact of your generosity during your lifetime. If you have any questions, email us at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.

How do I make changes to my Will?

For a £10 fee made to Farewill, you can make an unlimited number of changes to your Will.

You can choose to opt-out of this option, however if you do then later choose to make a change to your Will, it will be subject to a £100 admin fee.

You can find out more about changing your Will on the Farewill website.

Can I make a Will over the phone instead?

Yes! You can write your Will online, or over the phone, whichever you prefer.

We also recommend calling our friends at Farewill if you're creating a more complex Will (eg. if you have assets abroad, you are a business owner or your assets are worth more than £2m).

Call 020 3695 2090, and tell them that you're taking advantage of Clergy Support Trust's Free Wills offer. You may also need to quote this code: CLERGYSUPPORT

How will you manage my data?

When you write your Will with Farewill, they will inform Clergy Support Trust of:

Your name
Your address
Your email address
Whether you have left a gift to the Trust in your Will (and if so, the value of your gift)

We will not be told about any other arrangements in your Will (eg. how much you are leaving to friends and family). This information will be held securely between you and the solicitors with whom Farewill works.

We may get in touch to thank you for leaving a gift, to invite you to our events to show our gratitude, or to keep you updated on any news or changes surrounding the Free Wills service.

We may also ask you if you'd like to receive newsletters or emails about our work as a charity, but we will not send you these unless you opt-in to receive them.

Clergy Support Trust has a Privacy and Data Policy which is regularly reviewed. We will let you know about any changes made to this policy.

Will anyone at Clergy Support Trust know the details of my Will?