RNIB's Wills and Legacies Advisory service can help you make a difference to the lives of people suffering sight loss for many years to come.
To help those who choose to support our work by leaving us a gift in their Will, RNIB has set up the Wills and Legacies Advisory Service. We have five Wills and Legacies advisors based throughout the UK. Recently we met up with John Stanworth, Wills and Legacies Advisor for the South-West and South region, to find out more.
Legacy Advisor John Stanworth - case study
So tell me a little about what your day to day working life is like, what kind of people you see and what kind of things you do?
Along with my colleagues I offer free, confidential and impartial information to RNIB supporters who are writing or updating their Will. It's a very personal service and we offer help via the phone or correspondence. I also visit people in their home, as do my colleagues. The service was originally set up to help blind and partially sighted people but we now offer advice to anyone who requests it. I can help with questions about Inheritance Tax and executors, find local solicitors who offer reduced rates to our supporters and let people know the best ways to leave money to loved ones and to charity. We have a booklet called "Planning Your Will" which explains Wills and Legacies in a way that is easy to understand, helping our supporters with many of the questions they may have. I fill this out with them and it makes what can sometimes seem like a daunting process a lot more relaxed. We iron out problems prior to their visit to a solicitor, which saves them both time and money.
What kind of feeling do you get from people who have finally made their Will?
Once it's all done it's amazing what peace of mind people get. They then know their affairs are sorted and everything is in order - they've got someone who is an executor, they've looked after their family and friends and remembered the causes they care about. So actually it has quite a calming effect and the feedback we get is very positive. One lady I visited said to me, "I feel so much better now I know my affairs are all in order and I've been able to remember the charity that was there for me when I needed them most. RNIB was not only there for me when I started to lose my sight but they provided talking books for my husband for years. Now my husband has gone, I feel so much better being able to give some kindness back to RNIB."
At what age should people start thinking about their Will? Is it a misconception that you only deal with people who are elderly?
Many of the people I help are elderly, because many of us suffer sight loss as we get older, but actually some of our supporters are working people in their 40s and 50s and some of these have already thought about making their Wills. I tell people it doesn't really matter whether you are 28 or 78 you should definitely have a Will. You aren't going to die for another 40 or 50 years and, fingers crossed, for longer than that. But if you did, if there was an accident and something happened, you need to know your affairs are in order. Whether you are a professional, a working adult, have a family or just want to be in control of what happens to your money when you are no longer here, you really do need a Will.
You are obviously passionate about the service you provide and have dedicated your working life to it. In your opinion why would someone want to remember a charity like RNIB in their Will?
If you are going to put money in a RNIB collection tin, why not put us in your Will as well? It's a great way to support us because you're not giving right now, you're giving after you've gone and we're not saying give money to us rather than your family. In fact when I visit people I say, "Please, please give to your family first but if there is a little bit left, give that to a charity that has helped you or the ones you care about."
Can you give us an idea of how much RNIB benefits from Legacies?
Without Legacy income, and I am not exaggerating here, a lot of the fantastic services we supply wouldn't be there. I'm talking about the Talking Book service, Talk and Support and our specialist schools, to name just a few, because a third of RNIB's income comes from Legacies. This is a phenomenal amount and without this income RNIB services would suffer. It's possibly the most important source of income RNIB has.
Contact RNIB Wills and Legacies Advisory service
Countless blind and partially sighted people rely on RNIB's work. Our services and support are vital, helping those with sight loss cope with every day living. The future of our work depends on the generosity of our supporters and Legacies in particular are invaluable.
To learn more about the Wills and Legacy Advisory service, or to get in touch with the Regional Advisor in your area, call the RNIB Wills and Legacies Advisory Service on 0845 600 0313 or contact your local Legacy Advisor.