Legacy Guide

Leaving a gift in your will is one of the most meaningful ways to support a local charity ensuring your values and passions make a difference long after your lifetime. Coda Music and Arts is making a positive impact in our local community but it needs your help to continue.

For those who believe in the transformative power of music and the arts, including Coda Music and Arts Trust in your will is a unique opportunity to foster creativity, inspire talent, and nurture community for generations to come. This document will guide you through the process, answering key questions and highlighting the impact your legacy can have.

Why does Coda need your support?

Founded on the conviction that music and the arts change lives, Coda Music and Arts Trust is a registered charity (No. 1068710) based in Walkford, Christchurch that is dedicated to providing:

A vibrant hub for musical and artistic education, performance, and community engagement for local people of all ages and abilities. From lessons and workshops to concerts and outreach projects, Coda plays an integral role in enriching the cultural landscape in East Dorset and West Hampshire;

And a wide range of innovative education and health programmes that touch the lives of children, young people, adults, and elders and provide access to clinical creative therapy services, and a range of participatory and engagement activities.

Coda relies on donations and legacies for a significant proportion of its income and also provide resources for supporting vital education, training, therapy and development which positively impact the lives of many hundred local people per week.

Why leave a Legacy Gift?

A legacy gift, also known as a bequest, is a personal act that costs you nothing in your lifetime but has profound significance for the future. By choosing to remember Coda Music and Arts Trust in your will, you are:

  • Ensuring future generations have access to music and the arts, regardless of background or means.

  • Supporting projects that help individuals develop confidence, skills, and creativity.

  • Providing resources for outreach initiatives that bring music and art to those who might otherwise miss out, including vulnerable or isolated members of the community.

  • Contributing to the sustainability and growth of a trusted local institution.

  • Leaving a legacy that reflects your values and passion for culture, learning, and community.

Types of gifts you could leave

Including a charitable gift in your will can be tailored to suit your circumstances and wishes. The most common types of gifts are:

  • Pecuniary Legacy Gift: A fixed sum of money left to the charity.

  • Residuary Legacy Gift: A share of what is left of your estate after family and friends are provided for and debts are settled.

  • Specific Gift: A particular item, such as a musical instrument, artwork, property, or shares, bequeathed to Coda Music and Arts Trust.

  • Reversionary Legacy Gift: A gift that comes to the charity after the death of another beneficiary - for example, after a partner or dependent has passed away.

Each type of gift makes a genuine difference and can be adapted according to your wishes and the needs of your loved ones.

How to leave a gift in your Will

The process of including Coda Music and Arts Trust in your will is straightforward and can be accomplished with the help of a solicitor or professional will writer.
Here’s how to proceed.

1. Consider Your Loved Ones

First and foremost, ensure that your family and friends are provided for according to your wishes.

2. Decide the Type of Gift

Reflect on the kind of legacy you wish to leave - whether it’s a specific amount, a share of your estate, or a particular item.

3. Use the Correct Wording

To avoid any ambiguity, it’s important to use the correct legal wording in your will. A solicitor can help with this, but typical wording might be:

“I give to Coda Music and Arts Trust, Chewton Farm Road, Walkford, Registered Charity Number 1068710, [the sum of £X] or [X% share of my residuary estate] or [describe specific item] for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the CEO or other proper officer for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge.”

4. Inform Coda Music and Arts Trust

Although you’re under no obligation to inform the charity of your intentions, letting Coda know about your planned legacy can help them plan for the future and, if you wish, recognise your generosity during your lifetime.

5. Review Your Will Regularly

Circumstances change; reviewing your will every few years ensures that it continues to reflect your wishes.

Benefits of leaving a gift for Coda

Transforming lives through music and the arts: Your legacy enables Coda to deliver life-changing opportunities in music and the arts for people of all ages and backgrounds.

  • Building Community: Coda’s community projects combat isolation, boost mental health, and foster a sense of belonging through shared creativity.

  • Inspiring Future Generations: Your gift supports scholarships, workshops, and outreach, ensuring young people discover and develop their talents.

  • Tax Efficiency: Charitable gifts are exempt from inheritance tax, which can reduce the tax burden on your estate. In the UK, if you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate on the remainder may be reduced.

  • A Lasting Tribute: Making a bequest is a powerful way to celebrate your life and values, creating a legacy that endures in every note played and artwork created.

The Impact of Your Legacy

The gifts Coda Music and Arts Trust receives from Wills are treasured and carefully managed. Over the years, legacy gifts have funded new initiatives, sustained ongoing projects, and allowed the charity to plan with confidence for the future.

By joining those who have chosen to leave a legacy, you become part of a community of visionaries whose generosity will resonate for years to come. Your support helps Coda continue to break down barriers, inspire creativity, and foster wellbeing through the universal language of music.

Let’s chat about it

If you are considering leaving a gift to Coda Music and Arts Trust, and you have any questions about the process, the team at Coda will be happy to guide you. Just contact us here arrange a meeting with a member of staff to discuss your wishes in confidence.

Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • While it’s possible to write your own Will, using a solicitor or professional will writer helps ensure your wishes are clear, legally valid, and up to date. This can prevent misunderstandings later on.

  • Yes, you can amend your will at any time by adding a codicil or making a new Will. It’s important to review your will when your circumstances change (e.g., marriage, divorce, bereavement, acquiring new assets).

  • Unless you specify a purpose, your gift will be used where it’s needed most - be that running vital community programmes, maintaining facilities, or supporting outreach work. If you wish to support a particular project or aspect of Coda’s work, you can state this in your will or discuss options with the charity.

  • Yes. You are not obliged to inform the charity, and your wishes will be treated with complete confidentiality.

  • To include Coda in your will, you will generally need the charity’s full name, registered address, and registered charity number. It is advisable to check Coda’s website (www.coda.org.uk) or contact us directly for the most up-to-date details.