At Step One Charity, we believe in the power of community, connection, and care.
Every day, our teams and volunteers support people across Devon, helping them feel less alone, more understood and better able to navigate their wellbeing and mental health journey. But the impact we have today, and the support we can offer in the future, often depends on the kindness of people who choose to leave a gift in their will.
That’s why we’re proud to be taking part in Make a Will Week 2026, which returns from 23rd – 27th February, in partnership with in partnership with Lyons Bowe Solicitors. During this week, local solicitors generously donate their time so that people can make or update their will, while also supporting Step One Charity’s work for years to come.
Gifts left in wills are a vital source of funding for charities across the UK. They help bridge the gap between short-term fundraising and long-term sustainability, enabling organisations to plan ahead and continue delivering essential services into the future.
For Step One Charity, legacy gifts help sustain a wide range of support – from peer-led community groups and wellbeing services to specialist inpatient rehabilitation. This long-term funding allows us to offer consistent, person-centered care, ensuring people can access support when they need it.
Legacy income make a tangible difference every day, helping individuals move from isolation to connection, regain confidence, and build meaningful lives.
Here are just a few examples from people whose journeys show why long-term support matters:
Rebuilding life and confidence
Becky struggled with anxiety and depression, becoming isolated after the pandemic. Through Step One’s BeWell@StepOne peer support groups and self-help courses, she learned practical tools to manage her wellbeing and found a welcoming community that became a meaningful part of her life. That support helped Becky feel safer, more connected and more confident day to day.
Finding hope and purpose
Richard reached a point in his life where overwhelming mental health challenges made it hard to cope. After engaging with Step One’s support services, not only did he move towards recovery, he eventually became a community support worker himself, now helping others on their own journeys.
Coming back from isolation
Chrissie’s story shows how sustained support can change the course of someone’s life. After more than 40 years of isolation due to agoraphobia, the peer support and community connection she found through Step One helped her reconnect with others and rebuild confidence, finding her voice again after decades of withdrawal.
Hope through professional care
For people like Sarah, the compassionate care provided by Step One’s inpatient rehabilitation services at Cypress Hospital was life-changing, helping her regain trust, self-confidence and hope for the future during a difficult period.
These stories illustrate the breadth of support Step One offers, from peer groups and community services to clinical rehabilitation, and how that support transforms lives. Legacy gifts help ensure this work continues, allowing people to access consistent, person-centered support when they need it most.
When someone includes Step One in their will, they’re not just leaving a gift, they’re helping ensure that people like Becky, Richard, Chrissie and Sarah can find connection, hope and belonging long into the future.
“It’s actually about leaving a legacy to other human beings and doing something for them that will enable them to lead a better life going forward.”
– Sue, Make a Will Week participant
Make a Will Week is a chance for local people to get expert legal support when planning for the future. Instead of paying a solicitor’s fee, people are asked to make a donation to Step One Charity.
By encouraging supporters to think about legacy gifts as part of their long-term planning, we help sow the seeds for a future where Step One’s services continue to flourish, supporting not just today’s community, but tomorrow’s too.
Leaving a gift in your will is a deeply personal decision. It doesn’t need to be large to make a difference: even a small percentage of an estate can contribute to sustaining services that change lives. Whether someone chooses to make a fixed gift or a residuary gift (a percentage of their estate), each act of kindness sends a clear message “I care about the wellbeing of the people in my community.”
If you’d like to learn more about Make a Will Week 2026, including how to book an appointment or share the opportunity with people who might benefit.
Together, we can help ensure that Step One’s impact continues, long into the future.
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