Every ISH story begins the same way – a specific room, a specific door, a specific moment of arrival in London. The building where you didn’t know anyone, and left with friends you still have today. Where horizons widened, connections formed, and lives quietly changed direction. That is our legacy.
And it is one you can help shape.
That sense of belonging has always been greater than any one building. This year, we are welcoming more students into the ISH community as we open the doors of our new House in Vauxhall. Ready to give that same experience to a new generation of international students arriving in London, just as you once did.
But it is never really about the building. It is about what happens inside it. The students who will find lifelong friends at ISH, discover what they are capable of, and carry that with them for the rest of their lives are the legacy. Gifts left by people like you help make that possible.
What a gift can do
Jean Basell left a gift of £600,000 to ISH in her will. Her gift funds the Jean Basell Scholarship in perpetuity — an accommodation scholarship in her name supporting a Centenary Masters student in TESOL at the UCL Institute of Education, beginning in September 2026. It will open doors for students she never met, in a city she loved, for generations to come.
Jean joined ISH in 1982 and remained part of its community for the rest of her life. She spent years living and working overseas, teaching English in Iran and Egypt, trekking in the Egyptian desert, before eventually settling back in the UK. Wherever she was in the world, ISH remained a constant. When she was in London, she would come to Goats Bar Nights, catch up with staff, and share a cup of tea. That loyalty, sustained over four decades, found its fullest expression in her gift.
Diane Flynn is an ISH trustee who has chosen to leave a gift to International Students House in her will.
“My husband and I have had great international lives and careers since landing in London to study in our 20s. It’s wonderful to think that other young people can have the opportunity to do this. And that there is a charity here supporting them to do this.
I want to give our money to a charity that I trust. And I know that ISH will do good work with our legacy gift.”
How it works
Writing your will is simpler than you might think. Through our partnership with Farewill, you can write a will online for free in the comfort of your own home, in as little as 15 minutes.
For anything more complex, Farewill’s specialist team is available by phone — just mention International Students House for a free call.
There is no obligation to leave a gift to ISH. But if you choose to, we would be honoured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a will?
A will is a way of looking after the people and causes you care about after you’ve died. It ensures your wishes are carried out. If someone dies without a will, the process of dealing with their estate becomes more complicated, causing stress for loved ones and potential financial costs.
Do I have to leave a gift to International Students House to use the Farewill service?
There’s absolutely no obligation to leave a gift. Supporters who use the service often take care of their loved ones first. We’re always grateful to anyone who chooses to leave International Students House a gift, but it’s entirely your choice.
Why should I consider leaving a legacy to ISH?
By leaving a legacy to ISH, you can help ensure that future generations of students have access to affordable accommodation and a supportive community in London. Your gift will contribute to fostering international understanding and creating life-changing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. The next generation of international thinkers and leaders.
How do I include ISH in my will?
During the process of writing your will with Farewill, you will be prompted to decide if you want to include a gift to our charity. There’s no requirement to do so, but if you choose to, just respond when asked with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Farewill will then incorporate the appropriate wording into the will, and after it has been checked by their specialist team, the will is returned to you to be printed, signed, and witnessed.
What types of gifts can I leave to ISH?
You can leave a specific amount of money, a percentage of your estate, or even a specific item. There are three main types of gifts:
- A share of your estate (residuary gift)
- A fixed sum of money (pecuniary gift)
- A specific item, such as jewellery or property
The decision of what kind of gift to leave, or whether to leave one, is entirely yours.
I already have a will – can I update it?
Yes, you will either need to add a codicil to your existing will via the solicitors you first used. Or, if your will is old and out of date, you can write a new will via Farewill’s services. Read more on the Update Service here.
Can I update my will later?
You can update your will if your situation changes. Farewill provide an Update Service on their wills online, offering unlimited free updates for the first year, and £10 a year thereafter.
What if my needs are too complex for a standard will?
Simple wills are covered for free through through the Farewill for online and telephone wills.
If your estate is more complicated, or you have specific needs, you might need a complex will, which can be written through the telephone will service. Farewill will advise you if a telephone will is more appropriate. Call them on (+44) 020 8050 2686 and they will let you know if your situation requires a complex will.
Additional costs for complex wills may apply.
Can I write a will with my partner?
Yes. Farewill offers couples wills – two, completely separate wills – which give you the freedom to mirror your wishes where you like and you’ll be able to keep some differences too.
What locations does the service cover?
Farewill’s online service is suitable for those living in England and Wales. Supporters based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are able to use Farewill’s telephone will service to complete their will.
Write your will online https://farewill.com/ish-legacy
Call for advice https://farewill.com/ish-phone
But I don’t live it the UK
For International Students House supporters living in the United States of America, you can leave a gift in your will to our registered 501(c)3 nonprofit Friends of International Students House London Inc. This will be treated in exactly the same way as any other gifts you leave to registered nonprofits.
For supporters outside of the UK and USA then you can use Farewill’s online tool to help you think through your will and then take your wishes to the relevant legal authorities in your country of residence.
Can I leave a gift to more than one charity?
Yes, you can leave gifts to as many charities as you like. Many people choose to support more than one cause by splitting their gift, either by leaving fixed amounts or a percentage of their estate to each.
It’s completely up to you how you divide things, and you can change this at any time by updating your will.
Will leaving a gift affect my family or inheritance tax?
You should always look after your loved ones first when writing your will. After that, you can choose whether to leave a gift to charity. Gifts to registered charities are usually free from inheritance tax, and in some cases, leaving a portion of your estate to charity can reduce the overall tax rate applied.
If you’re unsure what’s right for you, it can help to speak to a professional.
Do you need to tell us if you’ve left a gift?
There’s no obligation to let us know. Your will is a private document, and the decision is entirely yours. That said, we’d be really pleased to hear from you if you do choose to leave a gift. It gives us the chance to thank you properly and share more about the difference your support could make. It also helps us plan ahead, so we can continue our work long into the future.
Whether you tell us or not won’t affect your gift in any way.
If you do wish to let us know, please email alumni@ish.org.uk