Let’s end the silence of old age A guide to gifts in Wills
Thank you Thank you for your interest in Age Scotland and learning more about leaving a gift in your Will. Across Scotland, people are living longer - but too many older people are experiencing loneliness, struggling with rising costs, and feel disconnected from the world around them. For many, growing older can mean going days without speaking to anyone. Having fewer conversations as services move online. Having decisions being made for you, not with you. As we age, we can begin to feel invisible, unseen, and unheard when our needs matter most. The silence of old age. At Age Scotland, our helpline, friendship service, support for local groups and national campaigning all work together to create a Scotland where older people have purpose, a place to belong and a voice.
In this guide, we provide helpful information on how leaving a gift to Age Scotland can help ensure that long after today, older people across Scotland will have someone to turn to. Someone who listens. Someone who stands by them. A voice.
Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive
Improve the lives of older people in Scotland for generations to come We’ve been supporting older people for over 80 years - first as the Scottish Older People’s Welfare Committee, then as Age Concern Scotland and Help the Aged Scotland. In 2009, these charities merged to become Age Scotland. As a homogeneous group, and with an ageing population, older people will continue to need our support for the next 80 years and beyond.
We can only be there to ensure no one faces the challenges of older age alone if people continue to leave us gifts in their Wills.
Age Scotland is the only charity specifically supporting older people across Scotland. We are part of the Age network of charities, including Age UK, Age NI, and Age Cymru. While we share common goals, we are independent charities operating in separate regions. Whilst Age UK has UK in its name, their services only operate in England. If you’re looking to leave a gift that supports older people in Scotland, it's important Age Scotland is named in the Will to ensure that is the case.
Our community development team supports more than 500 local community groups for older people nationwide.
How your gift supports older people Age Scotland Helpline Our helpline is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their carers, and families in Scotland. Our skilled advisers provide information and advice on a range of topics from money matters and benefits entitlements, to social care, housing, energy, and legal issues. Friendship Service Our dedicated Friendship Service offers regular friendship calls from a volunteer who can talk about anything you want, whether that’s interests, hobbies, or even gardening tips.
How your gift supports older people Community Groups We support over 500 community groups for older people across Scotland. These groups offer a wide range of activities and social events for people aged over 50, strengthening community connections, bringing people together, and creating new friendships. Information and advice We offer a wide range of services and resources to support older people's health, care, and wellbeing. From practical guides, training, and activities to boost health and wellbeing to increasing awareness of dementia and supporting carers, we empower older people to age better.
"As you get older, unless you're proactive, you can become the person that's sitting in the house on your own."
How a gift in your Will could help £5,000
Could provide 500 friendship calls to older people helping them feel less lonely.
£35,000
Could fund a Friendship Coordinator, ensuring older people benefit from meaningful friendship throughout the year.
£50,000
Could fund a year of support for local community groups so older people continue to have somewhere to go for connection and friendship.
£150,000
Could fund four Helpline Advisers providing advice, information and support to thousands of older people each year.
Types of gifts you can leave A share of your estate (residuary gift): you can leave a percentage of what remains of your estate after your loved ones have been taken care of. A specific sum (pecuniary gift): this is a fixed amount of money. A specific item: this could be valuable assets such as property, jewellery, or shares. To ensure your gift is legally valid and goes to the right places, it’s important to use the correct wording. I give [all of/ a share of the residue of my estate, the sum of____, or description of an item] to Age Scotland, registered charity number SC010100, of 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR, for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer of Age Scotland shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my executors. For more information, browse our FAQ’s online at www.age.scot/faq
Ron’s life after retirement When Ron retired in 2020, he looked forward to having more time for himself. But as the months passed, he found himself spending more and more time alone. “Most of my week was spent in the house... I'd go for the occasional walk or meet up with family, but it was quite a solitary life.”
Ron, 68 Livingston
After losing a close friend, Ron realised he was withdrawing from the people and activities around him. Determined to make a change, he joined the West Lothian 50+ Network, a community organisation supported by Age Scotland. What started as attending a coffee group soon led to new friendships, opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, Ron helps run a tech drop-in group, has supported the creation of a fly-fishing group and men's social group, and regularly takes part in community activities.
“I’ve turn my hobbies into groups. Rather than being solitary pleasures, I've got friends to do them with now.”
After experiencing kidney problems and undergoing a transplant, Ron also became passionate about ensuring older people's voices are heard and valued. “There is so much talent and experience in older people, when people stop working, they don't lose those skills.”
"If I hadn't found the network, I'd be sitting in my house today, not doing very much."
Ron believes finding the Network transformed his retirement. Instead of facing later life alone, he found friendship, support and a place where he belongs. At Age Scotland, our vital services work together to create a Scotland where older people have purpose, a place to belong and a voice. Read Ron’s full story at www.age.scot/silence
Writing your Will If you’ve not made a Will yet, it might feel complicated, and knowing where to start can be the most difficult part. Our Will Planner is a helpful checklist designed to help you get started and guide you through gathering the key information you'll need to write your Will. From deciding how to divide your assets to instructions for your funeral, it can make planning easier and ensure that nothing important is missed.
Whether you're preparing your first Will or updating an existing one, the planner offers a clear and practical starting point. You can get a copy of our Will planner by visiting www.age.scot/faq
Free Will Writing Service If you’re yet to make a Will and concerned about any associated costs, Age Scotland offers an accessible free Will writing service in partnership with the National Free Wills Network for people living in Scotland over the age of 50 at the time of writing their Will. Whether you prefer an in person or online service, you can choose from a list of both local solicitors and ones you can meet with virtually at your convenience. While there’s no obligation to leave a gift to Age Scotland when you create your free Will, your legacy can help us to support older people across Scotland at no cost to you now. Find out more at www.age.scot/freewill
Frequently asked questions We know that leaving a gift in your Will is a big decision and you may have a few questions. To help you get started, we've answered some of the most common questions people ask when writing their Will. Request more information on using the form on the next page or visit www.age.scot/faq
Let’s end the silence of old age If you have any questions, or you’d like to receive some more information on leaving a gift in your Will to Age Scotland, get in touch today, or complete the form below, and we’ll be back in touch soon.
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Please let us know if you’d like to receive any of the following A handy Will planner to help prepare for writing your Will More information about Age Scotland’s free Will writing service A call back to find out more about gifts in Wills Have you considered leaving a gift in your will to charity? Yes, I have already included a charitable gift in my Will I haven’t, but I’d like some more information I have already left a gift in my Will to Age Scotland I’m thinking about leaving Age Scotland a gift Please send your completed form to: FREEPOST RSBS-KEHC-GBBC, The Legacy Team, Age Scotland, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR We will stay in contact by post unless you ask us not to. We will never sell your data, and we promise to keep your details safe and secure. You can change your mind at any time by emailing us on contact@agescotland.org.uk or calling us on 0333 323 2400.
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Get in touch Richenda Thomson Legacy and In Memory Lead 0333 323 2400 legacies@agescotland.org.uk www.age.scot/legacies Age Scotland provides a range of services, and your gift will go wherever the need is greatest. Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: SC153343 Charity Number: SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.
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