IMPORTANT NOTICE
Wow, here we are on 24th November 2025, and after fifteen years of planning and operation, funding 5 research projects and 2 PhDs, the HvdL Foundation Trust is at an end.....an emotional moment! This simplified Website will remain in existence for another two years for those wishing to trace the research and Heather's legacy of work. 150k has been donated to the charity AFASIC whose work was very close to Heather's heart. See below....
From the Charity Commission - Nov 2025
" Thank you for your submission to the Charity Commission.
Further to your correspondence I have been able to remove the above charity from the Central Register of Charities.
This will be reflected on the Public Register of Charities within the next five days."
​
When Professor van der Lely left her legacy to science through the Heather van der Lely Foundation Trust she stated various ‘wishes’ to be carried by the trustees to further the research agenda of Developmental Language Disorders. Since the founding of the Trust we have been providing essential support for academic research, clinical and educational initiatives in development language disorder. We have been committed to making a meaningful difference in this field and shaping a brighter future for the individuals affected. We believe Heather's wishes have successfully been carried out. Now that a comparatively small amount of funding is remaining, it is time for the Trust to work with others and further more practical causes in Developmental Language Disorder. To this end HvdL Trust will be working towards closure and we have now made a substantial donation to the work of AFASIC ( https://www.afasic.org.uk/), whose longstanding CEO, Linda Lascelles, was a close and supportive colleague of Prof van der Lely and has worked tirelessly to support families and young people with DLD. So far we have donated 140k towards specific projects. Workshops and support are being further developed, specifically for young adults who have lived with DLD and are emerging into the adult world with the challenges that carries. We (and AFASIC) will update you on that topic as HvdL heads towards closure.