Gifts in Wills

Together, we can ensure that no one in Scotland faces mental health problems alone.

This guide sets out everything you need to know about gifts in Wills, and why choosing to leave a gift to SAMH in your Will is a powerful way to make a lasting difference for generations to come.Contents

Thank you for reading about gifts in Wills

This guide sets out everything you need to know about gifts in Wills, and why choosing to leave a gift to SAMH in your Will is a powerful way to make a lasting difference for generations to come.

About us
How your support changes lives
Benefits of writing or updating a Will
The finer details of Wills, simplified
Contact us or connect online

We are Scottish Action for Mental Health

Since 1923, SAMH has been pioneering mental health support as Scotland's national mental health charity. We are here for people, wherever and whenever they need us.

A century on, SAMH has become a leader in the field of mental health and is a beacon of excellence. We listen to what matters locally, and deliver over 70 services across Scotland, covering 30,090 square miles to ensure that people living in cities, areas of deprivation and rural communities are not left behind.

Our commitment is to be there for people, wherever and whenever they need us. Rooted in a person-centred approach and guided by the ethos of recovery, our portfolio includes a range of services such as social care support, supported living, addictions, children and young people, and employment services.

Our mission: Lead by example, be innovative, purposeful and challenging in all that we do. We aim to promote mental health and wellbeing within all areas of life.

Our vision: A society where people can live their lives fully regardless of present or past circumstances.

Your gift can create the change people living with mental health problems need.

Supporting Scotland's mental health since 1923

However, like many others, we continue to operate and adapt in a climate of ongoing economic pressures and uncertainty. These challenges, coupled with global unrest, a fractured mental health care system, and a turbulent environment, have all contributed to the current mental health crisis.

Deteriorating mental health can devastate a person’s quality of life and profoundly affect those around them. In the most tragic cases, it can lead to loss of life, despite our knowledge that suicide is preventable.

At SAMH, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can access mental health support wherever and whenever they need it.

But no matter how much progress society makes, mental health will always be a critical issue. As the world continues to evolve, the need for understanding, support, and care for mental wellbeing will remain as urgent as ever.

Your legacy

That’s why leaving a gift in your Will to SAMH is one of the most impactful ways you can help us meet this ongoing challenge.

Your legacy will be a beacon of hope, empowering us to create a brighter, more mentally healthy Scotland for generations to come

Gifts in Wills are vital for ensuring SAMH’s long-term success, financial flexibility, and ability to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

By leaving a gift in your Will to SAMH, you are doing more than making a donation - you are shaping the future.

“Together, we can ensure that no one in Scotland faces mental health problems alone.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive Officer

The current picture in Scotland

In 2023 there were 139,008 mental health related calls to NHS 24, over 5x the number of calls in 2019

Every year, more than 14,000 people wait more than 18 weeks for psychological therapies, and 2,742 are waiting more than a year for the support they need

The number of reported mental health problems in Scotland has doubled over the last 10 years

Tragically, suicide accounts for two deaths in Scotland every day, with 792 probable suicides recorded in 2023 - an increase of almost 4% from the previous year

The suicide rate in the most deprived areas of Scotland is 2.4 times higher than the least deprived areas

In 2023, over 50,000 people were admitted to hospital with mental health related conditions

Your support changes lives

Mikey, who experiences schizophrenia, was housebound for five years until he attended SAMH’s The Changing Room.

Our 12-week programme has helped Mikey build his confidence, pass his driving test and train in peer support.

“With having schizophrenia, I was stuck in the house for so long and I was always wondering: am I going to get out of this rut. For me, The Changing Room has been life-changing. It’s given me confidence, it’s given me motivation, goals and I can see the positives in things.

I passed my driving test three weeks ago, and that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for The Changing Room. It has given me the tools and coping mechanisms necessary to move forward with my life.”

Mikey

Supported by The Changing Room, SAMH

There are many others with stories like Mikey. View our page on SAMH stories.

A powerful way to make a lasting difference

Many people, after taking care of their loved ones, choose to leave a gift in their Will to a cause that matters to them.

It’s a meaningful and enduring way to help us and we are so grateful for these amazing gifts.

By including a gift in your Will to SAMH, you have the chance to transform lives in a way that few other contributions can. It may well be the most significant single donation you give to a charity, allowing you to make an impact that might not be possible during your lifetime.

Whatever its size, your thoughtful gift will make a real and positive difference. With your help, individuals and families across Scotland will be able to access mental health support without any stigma or barriers.

You could help us support more people facing mental health problems back into employment, deliver more mental health and wellbeing workshops for children in secondary schools, and support more people who have experienced a bereavement from suicide.

Wherever it helps, we will use your gift wisely to bring us closer to our vision of a brighter, more mentally healthy future for everyone in Scotland.

Remembering SAMH in your Will means the values you hold during your lifetime will last long into the future.

An up-to-date Will to give you peace of mind

It may seem daunting to write or update your Will with a solicitor, but many people find that it’s easier and less time-consuming than they expected.

Benefits of writing or updating your Will

It gives you peace of mind that your wishes will be respected
It simplifies matters for your family and loved ones too
You’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing your affairs are in order

A suggestion of the wording you could use is:

I leave X/a X% share of my residuary estate for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow G1 1UZ. Registered charity number: SC008897 (Scotland) for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the treasurer or other proper officer for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.

Always seek the advice of a solicitor regarding the best way to word your Will.

Your Will in easy steps

1

Make a list of what you want to pass on. This might include your house, car and any valuables, as well as shares, bank accounts and savings. Then do the same for anything you owe. The difference between the two will give you an idea of your estate’s value.

2

Decide who you would like to benefit. Note this down and whether you’d like to leave them a percentage of your estate or something specific. Include any causes or organisations you’d like to remember – you might consider leaving them what is left of your estate when your loved ones have been taken care of.

3

Choose your executors who will make sure your wishes, as laid out in your Will, are adhered to. This can be a family member, friend or trusted professional.

4

Find a solicitor. While anyone can write a Will, there are certain requirements to make sure that it is valid and your wishes will be respected. Working with a lawyer will give you the most peace of mind, especially if your affairs are complex or you want to discuss them in person.

5

Keep your Will safe. Make sure someone you trust knows where your original Will is kept (ideally with your solicitor) and keep a copy in a safe space.

6

Make sure your Will stays up to date. It’s important to review your Will every few years; especially following a marriage, divorce, having a child, buying a house, or a change in your financial circumstances. If you’d like to add a simple cash gift, a separate document called a codicil is the easiest way to do this. We recommend you talk to your lawyer before adding a codicil. If you do, it’s a good idea to keep it in a safe place with your existing Will. For more complex changes, it’s best to write a new Will.

Types of gifts in Wills

There are three main types of gifts you can leave in your Will.

Residuary gifts

A share of the value of your assets, such as property and savings, once all other gifts, debts, and costs have been taken into account. This is the most beneficial way to leave a gift to SAMH as it’s a percentage of your Estate rather than a fixed amount, meaning that it won’t lose its value over time.

Pecuniary gift

A specific amount of money, often known as a ‘cash gift’, which can be any amount you choose.

Specific gifts

Items such as jewellery, stamps, or medals that have been precious to you during your lifetime.

Restricted gifts

Most people are happy for SAMH to use their gift where the need is greatest at the time, but you can also choose to leave your gift to a specific area of our work that you feel most passionate about, for example children and young people. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss this further.

Our promise to you

If you choose to remember SAMH in your Will, we want you to feel confident that you are doing the right thing.

So here’s our promise to you:

We understand family and friends come first and will never put pressure on you to leave a gift or tell us your plans
We respect your privacy and will never ask you to share more than you want to. Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence
We appreciate your priorities or circumstances might change in the future, and you may choose to take us out of your Will
We will use your gift wisely and in the best interests of the people and families that need our support and use our services
We will treat the Executors of your Will with respect and empathy

Get in touch

We're here to help.

Email us: fundraising@samh.org.uk

Visit our website: www.samh.org.uk

Fill out our form: Complete an enquiry form

Call us: On 0141 530 1028

Connect with us

Would you like to keep up to date with our work? Connect with us online.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/samhscotland

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SAMHmentalhealth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samh