How legacy funds help support us

Although we receive funding from many other sources, it is our dependency on legacies that enable us to see our long-term projects through.

Since 1876 Vision Support began to grow organically in supporting people with a vision impairment and in more recent years have dramatically expanded offering a wide range of services and support throughout North Wales and Cheshire.

What most people don’t realise is how much the charity relies on legacies to support its development. Vision Support’s long-term aim is to continue to grow and enhance on the services we provide whilst making every effort to reach the people who at present are not receiving services, and to raise awareness of the issues facing those who have a vision impairment within our region.

Where legacy funds go

In one year..

• We will reach 1000 new service users through our Resource Centres

• Over 400 individuals with a vision impairment will receive one to one IT training

• Our Home Visitors will make more than 3500 visits, helping to relieve the social isolation of those living alone

• Our Financial Wellbeing and Benefits Officer will assist approximately 500 service users in understanding their benefits rights and completing claims

• We will run countless volunteer schemes, social groups and clubs

Choosing a legacy

Another lesser-known fact is that there are many ways a legacy can be left; but generally there are four main ways:

A specific legacy

You can specifically name an item or items that belong to you in your Will. For example paintings, antiques and even shares. It must be noted that gifts of this kind have failed to be given in the past due to them not being identified specifically in a Will.

A pecuniary legacy

A chosen amount of money is the most commonly known legacy. However what people tend to overlook is that the amount will decrease in value, so if you intend the value of your gift to remain as initially intended you may wish to discuss this with your solicitor.

A residuary legacy

One of the most straight forward ways to leave a legacy is to leave the remainder of your estate once all expenses, taxes, debts and any other outstanding concerns paid such as other legacies. The remaining balance which will increase in value as the value of your estate increases, can be divided between as little or as many people or organisations as you wish.

A reversionary legacy

The reversionary legacy is when your beneficiary or beneficiaries have been selected but still have an agreement set up in allowing a person or persons to continue to have the use of chosen parts of your estate such as your home until an agreed date or in some cases for the remainder of their lives. In turn when such time arrives the legacy stated in your Will would be then passed to the charity.

Further information

When leaving your estate to people you must be aware of how much your estate is allowed to be worth before your beneficiaries will have to pay out inheritance tax which is currently set at 40%. However, all monies left to charity is exempt from tax. It would be advisable to contact your solicitor to be clear as to where your property is situated on inheritance tax benchmark, and also the tax percentage as they may vary in time.

If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy to Vision Support please contact us by email at information@visionsupport.org.uk, or by post:

Vision Support, Units 1&2 The Ropeworks, Whipcord Lane, Chester, CH1 4DZ

(Please mark the envelope Legacy Enquiry)

Tel: 01244 381515

Please note that all legal advice must be sought directly from your solicitor and not from Vision Support.