Dear supporter,
Each year Dimensions receives a small number of legacies – gifts in someone’s will – usually left by a family member.
Legacies let us do more for people and spread a little joy. Over the past year we’ve used money from legacies to support people on holidays. To buy a pool table for some of the people who attend our day support Hubs. To invest in lifechanging assistive technologies such as an interactive (sensory) projector. To do a garden makeover. And much more besides.
Wherever possible, we ask surviving family members to help guide what we spend it on.
If you’re reading this, you too may be considering leaving a charitable gift in your Will. That’s one of the greatest acts of kindness imaginable. Thank you.
I hope you might consider leaving a gift to Dimensions, and at the foot of this page you’ll find the information you need to do exactly that.
Below, you’ll find answers to some questions we’re often asked. I hope this helps you think it through. If you need to know something else, please contact my colleagues at communications@dimensions-uk.org.
Thank you.
Rachael Dodgson, CEO
Frequently asked questions…
Can I choose what you do with my legacy?
Telling us what to do with your legacy is possible. For example, you might restrict your legacy for use in benefiting a particular person we support, or a particular home.
But – and this is really important – we don’t necessarily recommend this. If we’re no longer supporting that person, or delivering support at the address / in the area you’ve specified, we might not be able to accept the money. In that case it will be for your executor to reallocate.
You can state a preference. For example you might tell us you prefer us to use it to support more people into employment. The solicitor drawing up your Will can give you good advice here, but often people include a non-binding ‘expression of wishes’ alongside their Will. That allows the organisation receiving the legacy to respect your wishes whilst still using the money in the best possible way should it be unable to fulfil your wishes when the time comes.
What will you do with my legacy if I don’t specify what it should be used for?
We’ll put your legacy to good use making life better for the people we support, and for other people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
We might put it towards vital campaigning work. Or we might put it towards improving the life chances and experiences of the people we support – for example, a few years ago and inspired by the London Olympics, a legacy allowed us to run the ‘Dimensions Games’ at the Allianz Stadium.
As (we all hope!) we won’t get your legacy for many years to come, we can’t be more specific than that.
What won’t you do with my legacy?
We promise we will not use your legacy to replace statutory (government) funding.
Nor will it all just go into the costs of running our organisation; we’ll use a maximum of 10% for that, and spend all the rest on things that directly benefit people.
Do I have to tell you if I’m planning to leave a legacy?
No. This is a very personal decision and of course your personal situation may change; people often change their Wills late in life. That said, if we know that you’re planning to leave us a gift in your will, we can start thinking – with you – about how best to make use of it. How to make you proud.
What sort of legacy is best?
This is also a very personal decision. Your solicitor will guide you to make the right decision for you. All we would say here is that a percentage share of your estate (this is called a residuary legacy) holds its relative value and therefore potentially reflects your original wishes better than a fixed sum (this is called a pecuniary legacy.) Ask your solicitor for advice.
How might my legacy affect inheritance tax?
Gifts left to charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax – so including a charitable gift can sometimes help reduce the tax on your estate. But Inheritance Tax is a complex and often-changing area of law; speak to your solicitor.
I have a dependant with a learning disability, how can I provide for them in my Will?
If you have a child or other loved one with a learning disability we would recommend setting up a Discretionary Trust for them. This is because if they inherit a lump sum of money, it can affect any means-tested benefits they currently or may one day receive. A Discretionary Trust ensures that your money for your child is protected for their future. Your solicitor can help, and you may also like to contact Mencap’s Wills & Trusts Service on 020 7696 6925
How can I leave Dimensions a legacy?
We always recommend you draw up your Will professionally, through a solicitor. They will be able to give you advice on what type of legacy is right for you; they’ll talk to you about whether a percentage share of your estate might be better than a fixed sum of money, for example. And they can handle any expression of wishes too.
When leaving your legacy, you’ll need to identify Dimensions as the beneficiary organisation. We are: Dimensions (UK) Ltd, Building 1230, Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, RG7 4SA. We’re a charitable registered society, not a registered charity, and that means your solicitor can find us in the Mutuals Register, number 31192R.