Your gift could help deafblind children enjoy full lives

I am so grateful you are considering remembering Sense with a gift in your Will. Without your incredible commitment, Sense would be unable to give deafblind children and their families the support they need.

It’s your kindness that allows us to work closely with a deafblind child, until we find the very best way to unlock their potential. And that means you could play an incredibly special role in ensuring every deafblind child can lead a much fuller, happier life.

Inside you’ll see how a gift in your Will could help deafblind children in years to come, but you’ll also find out about all the practicalities of making your gift. Your guide looks just like one of the tactile ‘memory books’ deafblind children make to remember the fun of a Sense holiday. I hope it inspires you to remember Sense with a gift in your Will.

Yours sincerely,

Gillian Morbey OBE CEO, Sense and Sense International

Highlights of your guide

Thank you for your commitment to deafblind children

How you can help a deafblind child like Evie

Your questions answered

How your gift will help in years to come

You could help deafblind people like Roger

Seven steps to making your gift

I am so grateful you are considering remembering Sense with a gift in your Will. Without your incredible commitment, Sense

I am so grateful you are considering

Thank you for your commitment to deafblind children

I am so grateful you are considering

Why a gift in your Will is vital to our future

Before Sense was founded over 50 years ago, far too many deafblind children and adults were isolated, misunderstood, or living in institutions with little chance of learning to communicate and develop. There was barely any support for parents, and families seemed always to be told what their child couldn’t do rather than what they could.

Today your support means our Family Centres, Specialist Teachers and Children & Family Support Workers can use their expertise to assess each child and give them all the help they need. This takes time, and for many deafblind children, continued support is key to helping them make the most of the senses they do have.

And with of our voluntary funding coming from those who remember Sense in their Will, it’s no exaggeration to say that these gifts are vital to continuing our work in years to come. A gift in your Will today would be a very special way to help us be there for every deafblind person – not just now, but for as long as they need us.

your Will today would be a very special way to help us be there for every deafblind person – not just now, but for as long as they need us.

Workers can use their expertise to assess each child and give them all the help they need. This takes time, and for many deafblind children, continued support is key to helping them make the most of the senses

work in years to come. A gift in your Will today would be a very special way to help us be there for every deafblind person – not

your Will today would be a very special way to help us be there for every deafblind person – not just now, but for as long as they need us.

When Evie was born her parents found themselves in a bewildering world of hospitals, tests and scans. Each new appointment brought more bad news. Doctors even warned Evie’s mum, Kristie, that her daughter would never smile.

Kristie had no way of connecting with Evie. Her little girl was terrified of the slightest touch. She would pull her arms back, scrunch her tiny hands and curl up in a ball.

Evie’s Sense Children & Family Support Worker, Anne, started by introducing Evie to new tactile sensations like crinkly paper and bubble wrap.

And today, Evie’s enjoying cuddles from her mum, using hand under hand sign language, and doing something else nobody thought she could – smile.

You could give a child like Evie her first smile

Evie’s Sense Children & Family Support Worker, Anne, started by introducing Evie to new tactile sensations like crinkly paper and bubble wrap.

And today, Evie’s enjoying cuddles from her mum, using hand under hand sign language, and doing

Each new appointment brought more bad news. Doctors even warned Evie’s mum, Kristie, that her daughter would never smile.

warned Evie’s mum, Kristie, that her daughter would never smile.

You could give another family skilled, specialist support

With the right support, Evie has been able to discover the love of her family and learn more about the world around her.

In years to come, a gift in your Will could help other deafblind children do child do just the same.

Your kindness could ensure that a Sense Specialist is there for a child like Evie in their early, formative years, when they are most able to

learn skills that will change their life. Your gift will also mean we can plan ahead for the future, so that we can support a deafblind child as they grow, helping them overcome each new challenge ahead.

Thanks to you, we can be there for a family when they have no one else to turn to, for as long as they need our support.

a family when they have no one else to turn to, for as long as they

Thanks to you, we can be there for a family when they have no one else to turn to, for as long as they need our support.

a family when they have no one else to turn to, for as long as they

Seven simple steps to making your very special gift

Decide who you’ll name in your Will as executors of your estate – these are the people who will be responsible for making sure your wishes are carried out.

Choose the family, friends and charities that you want to remember in your Will. Many people leave a percentage of their estate to Sense after they’ve ensured their loved ones are looked after first.

Put your Will in a safe place and keep another copy that you can check from time to time. Your solicitor will often store it without charge.

Make sure a relative or close friend knows where the original copy of your Will is stored.Will is stored.

Visit a solicitor to have your Will drawn up. You’ll find details on how to find one in your area on the ‘Your questions answered’ page in this guide.

Calculate the value of your estate – which is the total value of all your assets – taking into account property, taxes, investments and any debts.

JOSHUAthe people who will beresponsible for making responsible for making responsible fsure your wishes are carried out.

or making

Finally, please complete the reply form (in the back of this guide) so we know your intentions. You’ll give us the opportunity to say thank you and let you know of the wonderful difference your gift will make.

You could give a deafblind child like Elliot the support they need to go to school

Elliot was just a baby when he visited one of our Sense Family Centres. From that day onwards, his family began to learn what a bright and intelligent boy he is. But best of all, Elliot began to learn new skills and make new discoveries.

It all started with a Sense assessment at the centre. Through specialist play with sensory toys, Elliot’s Sense Specialist, has helped Elliot make the most of the vision and hearing that he has.

Our work is painstaking, but it makes all the difference. At our family days, Elliot was able to play with other children, and try new activities. And today, Elliot is learning sign language and going to school. The more he learns, the more confident he’s becoming.

makes all the difference. At our family days, Elliot was able to play with other children, and try

Centres. From that day onwards, his family began to learn what a bright and intelligent boy he is. But best of all, Elliot began to

Through specialist play with sensory toys, Elliot’s Sense Specialist, has helped Elliot make the most of the vision and hearing that he has.

Our work is painstaking, but it makes all the difference. At our

a bright and intelligent boy he is. But best of all, Elliot began to learn new skills and make new discoveries.

play with other children, and try

makes all the difference. At our

But best of all, Elliot began to

Our work is painstaking, but it makes all the difference. At our family days, Elliot was able to play with other children, and try

You could welcome more deafblind children to Sense Family Centres

At one of our Sense Family Centres, Elliot and his parents found a warm welcome and the support they so desperately needed.

You can help us open our doors for more children and families in years to come.

Inside our centres is a world of sensory delight, where each room offers new experiences, activities and sensory toys. Glowing lights, music workshops, arts and crafts, swimming and trampolining are just a few.

In this unique, specialist environment, a child like Elliot can learn and grow. They can build on all the senses that they do have, and discover more about their environment. And parents can enjoy meeting other families who understand the challenges that come with having a deafblind child.

By giving a gift in your Will, you will help to ensure that our centres continue to welcome children like Elliot and continue to help change lives.

will help to ensure that our centres

By giving a gift in your Will, you will help to ensure that our centres continue to welcome children like Elliot and continue to help

will help to ensure that our centres continue to welcome children like Elliot and continue to help

When Sense began in 1955 our goal was the same as it is now – to provide support so deafblind children and adults can learn to communicate better with their loved ones, develop the senses they do have and, as a result, lead fuller, happier lives.

You could help deafblind children for many years to come

A television appeal raises the funds to open Manor House. It’s the first UK centre of its kind and provides deafblind young adults with housing, training and education. The first 12 students quickly begin developing – some read and write, others learn to sign, and all gain much-needed independent living skills.

Sense is set up as The Rubella Group with ten founding families. At the time, there is just one small unit providing support for deafblind children, so the group begins by sharing information and pressing for services to meet the needs of children and their parents.

Sense holidays begin when a small group of deafblind children and young people go away on a supervised short break. It gives them the opportunity to try new sensory activities and ensures their parents get much-needed time to rest and relax.

The charity, now known as Sense, begins providing regular one-to-one support for elderly deafblind people, and Sense International is set up to share our expertise and help deafblind children and adults all around the world.

is set up to share our expertise and help deafblind children and

people, and Sense International is set up to share our expertise and help deafblind children and adults all around the world.

people, and Sense International is set up to share our expertise and help deafblind children and adults all around the world.

Today Sense is still giving more support to pre-school deafblind children and their parents in the UK than any other organisation. With your help, we are there for families and children at our Sense Family Centres and seven regional offices.

Sense also runs day centres, residential homes and supported adult housing. We’ve recently started offering holidays for elderly deafblind people, as well as children too.

Sense has achieved so much since our modest beginnings in 1955 but there are still challenges ahead if deafblind people and their families are to receive all the support they need. We can only do this with your help.

Sense has achieved so much since our modest beginnings in 1955 but there are still challenges ahead if deafblind people and their Sense has achieved so much since our modest beginnings in 1955

Sense also runs day centres, residential homes and supported adult housing. We’ve recently started offering holidays for elderly deafblind people, as well as children too.

Sense has achieved so much since our modest beginnings in 1955 Sense has achieved so much since our modest beginnings in 1955

You could help support a range of important work...

You’ve already read about Evie and Elliot, but there are many more children like them that need your help. In fact, there are around 4,000 children and young people in the UK who are deafblind. Their hearing and vision are so limited that neither sense can compensate for the other, making their needs unique.

But a kind gift in your Will could help us offer vital support to deafblind children, as well as deafblind adults and elderly people too.

You could help provide a number of services, including the Sense information line, family days and Sense holidays to name but a few.

You’ll also be there to help us run our Family Centres, day centres, residential homes and supported adult housing. No matter where your gift is making a difference, you can be sure that our specialists are using all their expertise to help deafblind people with their learning, communication and mobility.

people with their learning, communication and mobility.

expertise to help deafblind people with their learning, communication and mobility. people with their learning, communication and mobility.

...that will benefit deafblind people all around the UK

When Jane’s son, Roger, was born the doctors told her he had congenital Rubella syndrome and he was both deaf and blind. Unfortunately, from then on Jane didn’t get much help and support – it seemed nobody understood deafblindness.

But a year later, Jane found Sense and thanks to people like you, Sense has been able to play an important role in helping Roger do so many things people thought he’d never achieve.

Roger is able to communicate with his mum Jane using sign language. He volunteers at Café 55, a Sense project in Exeter that gives deafblind people work experience in the catering trade.

The Café 55 kitchen has been adapted for use by people with sensory impairments and people in wheelchairs. Roger loves to make panini sandwiches and meet new people. It’s just one of the many

ways Sense has helped Roger grow, develop and change his life. Jane said:

“Sense has been our family’s only source of realistic and positive information and support. It made the difference between Roger simply existing and having a real life.”

What type of gift is best? Any gift you give to Sense will make a difference. A residuary gift is popular with many supporters because it takes care of others first and remains proportional to the value of your estate by keeping pace with inflation.

Who should act as an executor of my Will? Although there is no need to do so, we suggest you consider nominating a professional executor, such as a solicitor or bank, alongside a family member or friend. You should not appoint a professional executor without establishing in advance what charges, if any, he or she may require.

How do I choose my solicitor? Details of solicitors in your area specialising in Wills can be found by searching the Law Society website www.lawsociety.org.uk or calling their general enquiries line on 0207 242 1222. When deciding

on a solicitor, we suggest that you ask how much they would charge for preparing your Will or Codicil and for dealing with your estate if appointed as executor.

When receiving gifts in Wills, our team works closely with executors to ensure that your wishes are honoured. This includes monitoring the level of fees charged by solicitors for acting in the administration of your estate.

Do I need to draw up a new Will? If you do not wish to alter your existing Will other than to include a gift to Sense you can amend your Will by preparing a document called a Codicil. We recommend that you consult a solicitor to ensure that the Codicil is valid and your wishes will take effect. The suggested wording is set out in the back of this guide and it can be taken to your advisor for consideration if you decide to add Sense to your Will in this way.

Your questions answered

can be taken to your advisor for consideration if you decide to add Sense to your Will in this way.

in the back of this guide and it can be taken to your advisor for consideration if you decide to add Sense to your Will in this way.

can be taken to your advisor for consideration if you decide to add Sense to your Will in this way.

Can I save tax by leaving a gift to Sense? A gift to Sense in your Will is tax-exempt and this may save some of the tax your executors would otherwise have to pay. However, as tax is a complex area of law, we recommend you take specialist independent advice.*

What is Inheritance Tax? Inheritance Tax is the tax payable on the estate you leave in your Will. Currently, the first £325,000* of your estate’s value is completely tax-free, and anything above that amount is taxed at *40%.

If you were to leave an estate worth £340,000 everything over £325,000 will be eligible for Inheritance Tax, in this case that’s £15,000. At the current rate of 40%* you would pay £6,000 tax on the £15,000.

However if you gave a gift of £10,000 to Sense, being a charitable donation, that gift would be exempt from any Inheritance Tax. So now only £5,000 of the £15,000 would be liable for Inheritance Tax, or £2,000.

* Rates of Inheritance Tax quoted here are from July 2011. However, rates can vary from year to year, so to find out more about inheritance tax and current rates, please look here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetax

Inheritance Tax. So now only £5,000 of the £15,000 would be liable for Inheritance Tax, or £2,000.

Inheritance Tax. So now only £5,000 of the £15,000 would be liable for Inheritance Tax,

Inheritance Tax. So now only £5,000 of the £15,000 would be liable for Inheritance Tax,

When you open the flap to the right you’ll find:

• Yourreplyform

• YourCodicilform

• Thetypesofgiftyoucangive

You’ll find information to help you make or amend your Will on the following pages. But if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Legacy Team.

You’re welcome to contact us during business hours by calling 0207 014 9350 or you can email legacy@sense.org.uk

If you prefer, you can also write directly to:

Legacy Team Sense 101 Pentonville Road London N1 9LG

We’re here to give you all the help you need

Your reply form

Please let us know your intentions by completing this reply form.

Whatever gift you choose to give will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. We would be grateful if you could let us know your intentions. Of course, any information you give is not legally binding and any information you give will be treated as confidential.

My intentions

I’ve already included Sense in my Will

I intend to include Sense in my Will

My gift

If you wish to give further details about your gift, please do so here:

I’d like some more information

I’d like to discuss this matter in more detail with someone in your Legacy Team.

Please call me on

Please turn over Charity no 289868

We’d love to find out more about you and why you’ve remembered Sense in your Will. Please use this space to tell us, and continue on a separate piece of paper if needed. Thank you.

...Your reply form continued

If you require further information please call our Legacy Team on 020 7014 9350 or email legacy@sense.org.uk

Your Codicil form

If you already have a Will and now wish to add Sense as a beneficiary, complete this simple Codicil form. Please keep your Codicil with your Will, in a safe place. You don’t need this form if you haven’t made your Will.

I (full name)

of (address)

Postcode

declare this to be the first second third Codicil to my Will, dated and made on / / (dd/mm/yy ).

I give (please tick as appropriate):

the following proportion of the residue of my estate (state the percentage or share)

the sum of £ (state the amount)

a specific item of

to Sense (Registered charity number 289868) 101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the finance director or appropriate officer shall be a complete discharge to my trustees. In all other respects I confirm my Will and other Codicils there to.

Signed Date

Please turn over Charity no 289868

...Your Codicil form continued

Please ensure you sign this form in the presence of two independent witnesses. The following people cannot witness your Codicil:

• your executor or their spouse• a beneficiary of your Will or their spouse

This Codicil was signed by the person mentioned overleaf, in our presence and witnessed by us in the presence of him/her and of each other.

Witness one

Full name

Address:

Postcode:

Occupation: Date:

Signature:

Witness two

Full name

Address:

Postcode:

Occupation: Date:

Signature:

If you require further information please call our Legacy Team on 020 7014 9350 or email legacy@sense.org.uk

Types of gifts you can give

Residuary gift: The remainder of the estate once other gifts and payments have been made. This type of gift is popular because it takes care of others first and remains proportional to the value of your estate by keeping pace with inflation.

Pecuniary gift: A fixed sum of money. The value of a pecuniary gift could decrease over time, as the cost of living increases.

Specific gift: A named item, for example a piece of jewellery or property.

Reversionary gift: This allows you to leave assets for the care of a loved one for the duration of their life. When they die, your gift will then go to your chosen recipient.

Please use this wording to ensure your gift is valid:

To leave a residuary gift, we suggest

‘I give % of my residuary estate to Sense, registered charity number 289868, 101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the finance director or appropriate officer shall be a complete discharge to my trustees.’

To leave a pecuniary gift (cash sum), we suggest

‘I give £ to Sense, registered charity number 289868, 101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the finance director or appropriate officer shall be a complete discharge to my trustees.’

Remembering Sense in your Will is very simple to do, however there is a lot of legal terminology and several different kinds of gifts you can give. To help you make the right decision we’ve made you a list of the most common types of gifts.

“I consider your work for deafblind people – particularly children – beyond price. My mother supported you in her lifetime and I’ll do the same.”

Mr A N Ball, Legacy pledger and Sense supporter

“I’ve been supporting Sense for six years. As a mother of a Rubella child I know the problems facing deafblind children and their families. My heart goes out to every one of them. If leaving something in my Will benefits future generations of deafblind children, I’ll be incredibly pleased.”

Mrs Maureen Coward, Legacy pledger and Sense supporter

Charity no 289868

Sense, The National Deaflbind and Rubella Association 101 Pentonville Road London N1 9LG

Telephone: 0845 127 0067 Website: www.sense.org.uk