Your Later Life - Q2 2021

A Mediaplanet campaign focused on

Your Later Life

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“We can now begin to contemplate life after the pandemic.” ~Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UK

Q2 2021 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content

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“Even the smallest gift can make a big difference to a good cause.” ~Rob Cope, Director, Remember a Charity

Read more at www.yourlaterlife.co.uk

How you can support the older population as we return to normality With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, we must continue to help and support older people.

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hat a torrid 14 months it’s been for our older population, after COVID-19 swept in, carrying all before it. Gradually a degree of control has been reasserted over the virus, so that we can now begin to contemplate life after the pandemic.

WRITTEN BY

Caroline Abrahams Charity Director, Age UK

downstairs, or who now struggle to remember everyday things. It’s disadvantaged older people, including those from BAME communities, in disadvantaged places, who seem to be hit the worst.

Supporting older people out of lockdown Declining health amongst older people As we emerge from the pandemic, many older people are Most of us will be pleased to shut the door on a year going to need extra help. That’s where Age UK comes in which totally disrupted our usual routines. But this will and where I hope you will too. Locally and nationally our be far from easy for large numbers of charity will be pulling out the stops to be older people, especially the bereaved and there for the older people who need us. those forced to navigate these difficult For example, demand for our Telephone months alone, cut off from their usual Friendship Services has gone through the sources of friendship and support. We also It may feel like the crisis is roof and although we have expanded it, worry about the pandemic’s impact on we just can’t keep up. Every donation will almost over, but for some older people’s health. Untreated medical help us to respond. older people the challenge conditions, fear of infection and being There are many other ways to help: we cooped up at home inactive for months of readjustment is only just are on the look-out for volunteers and are all sadly a recipe for accelerated we can all make a difference to the older beginning. decline. people around us, in our own families and Some older people, especially the neighbourhoods. affluent and those lucky to have support from family It may feel like the crisis is almost over, but for some and friends, have overcome these challenges relatively older people the challenge of readjustment is only just unscathed. However, our research suggests that for as beginning. If you made an effort to keep in touch with the many as one in 10 older people, the impact has been older people in your life when the virus was rampaging, catastrophic. Every day, we hear of older people who prenow is definitely not the time to stop. pandemic took the bus into town who can now barely get

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Project Manager: Jack Adamson jack.adamson@mediaplanet.com Business Development Manager: Gabrielle Dunn Managing Director: Alex Williams Head of Business Development: Ellie McGregor Head of Production: Kirsty Elliott Designer: Thomas Kent Freelance Designer: Lottie Fox-Jones Digital Manager: Harvey O’Donnell Paid Media Manager: Jonni Asfaha Production Assistant: Henry Phillips All images supplied by Gettyimages, unless otherwise specified

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How specialist dementia support can aid care

We have also found robotic pets to be a real hit as many of our residents had either a cat or a dog at home and we have seen so much joy when residents are interacting with them.

Moving into a care home can be a challenging time for those living with dementia, but having specialist dementia caregivers and supportive communities can help ease the transition.

A WRITTEN BY Caroline Baker Director of Dementia Care, Barchester Healthcare

t the very heart of our dementia ethos is the belief that we see the person and not the condition. With every new resident that comes to live in our communities, we take the time to get to know that person and their loved ones so that we can develop an in-depth knowledge of who they are, who and what is important to them and understand the life they have led.

Specialist dementia environments We recognise that moving into a care home can be a distressing time for somebody living with dementia as they are moving into a new environment and our staff are skilled at managing the settling in time, to

alleviate anxiety and make them feel as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible.

Our homes all have clear signage, colours and themes within the corridors of the memory lane communities, as we understand the important role this can play in helping the residents to find their way around the home more easily.

It is also really important to us that we focus on nutrition and ensure that our residents are able to continue to eat and drink the things that they like.

Assistance is provided to help them to do this through the use of skilled staff, specialist crockery and cutlery if that is required and a choice of dining settings to accommodate their individual needs.

Paid for by Barchester Healthcare

Understanding dementia care needs Our staff at Barchester are extremely knowledgeable in dementia care and provide daily activities that are suitable to the individual’s needs and we are constantly looking at new technology that can support this. We have introduced magic tables into a lot of our homes, these are interactive light projectors designed to promote stimulation through specialised games.

They support increased physical and social interactions for residents and most of all, offer the opportunity to have fun, which has proved to be a real success as family and friends have also been able to participate in this along with the resident. We have also found robotic pets to be a real hit as many of our residents had either a cat or a dog at home and we have seen so much joy when residents are interacting with them.

Barchester Healthcare’s specialist dementia team are working with Leeds Beckett University’s Centre for Dementia Research. Their findings are being implemented in Barchester’s Memory Lane communities.

To find a Barchester home near you go to barchester.com

Celebrate art, design and performance with a gift in your Will to the V&A The V&A is home to over 2.3 million works of imagination and ingenuity which delight and inspire visitors, students and designers from all over the world. You can help to protect these treasures by leaving a donation to the V&A in your Will.

To inspire future generations, please contact: 020 7942 2898 | legacy@vam.ac.uk | vam.ac.uk/legacies ‘Fruit’ wallpaper designed by William Morris, English; 1868-70, bequeathed by J. R. Holliday © Victoria & Albert Museum, London

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More information can be found at retirementlivingstandards.org.uk

Top tips for staying vigilant to online scams Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams. Therefore, everyone needs to be on the lookout.

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hroughout 2020 we’ve seen a significant rise in investment scams as fraudsters have preyed on people’s financial insecurities.

Often promoted on search engines and social media, criminals use online adverts to trick people into parting with their money. These offer investment opportunities that claim to guarantee stronger rates of return and minimal risk.

Anyone who clicks through will be asked to fill in an online form to register their interest, before receiving a call from someone impersonating a genuine firm or broker. Criminals will also sometimes send out professional-looking documentation to make the scam appear more convincing.

How to spot an investment scam It’s understandable how these schemes can reel people in, but it’s important to remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign has some simple advice to stay safe: What to look out for: • Ads on your social media feeds, sometimes with a ‘celebrity endorsement’, sometimes offering higher than average returns on investments with apparently little or no risk.

• Out of the blue phone calls and emails about an investment opportunity.

• Investment opportunities that are apparently exclusive to you and only you.

• Being pressurised into making a decision with no time to think.

Helpful advice: • You can check if an investment or pension opportunity you’ve been offered could potentially be a scam by taking the FCA’s ScamSmart test.

• Check the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register for regulated firms, individuals and bodies at fca.org.uk.

Ensure you only use the contact details listed on the register to confirm you’re dealing with the genuine firm.

• Most cryptocurrencies aren’t regulated by the FCA which means they’re not protected by the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It’s important that you do your research and proceed with extreme caution before making any investments.

Report scam ads appearing in paid-for space online by visiting the Advertising Standard Authority’s website where you can complete their quick reporting form.

WRITTEN BY

Sarah Sinden Manager, Economic Crime, Customer Education Strategy, UK Finance

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The five things you need to know to give you a better retirement Pensions remain one of life’s great mysteries. Do I have enough saved?

How do I use it when the time comes to retire?

1. Eligibility for pensions Most working people in the UK who work, or undertake caring responsibilities, will be eligible for a State Pension if they have worked and paid National Insurance contributions or been a carer for at least 10 years. If they have done so for 35 years, they will receive a full state pension, currently worth around £9,350 per year. This can be drawn at that level when a person is between 66 and 68 years of age depending on their date of birth.

For many people, the best way to have an adequate income in retirement is to save gradually over the whole of their working life and save what they can afford.

2. Automatic enrolment in a workplace pension The Government also helps people make extra pension savings by ensuring most workers are automatically enrolled into a workplace pension.

The value of that pension depends on the level of contributions both you and your employer make.

There is also some support from the Government through tax measures, in particular, when you draw your pension, 25% of the sum is free of tax.

If you are not automatically enrolled into a workplace pension, you can either ask to join it or save in some other way.

3. Tools to help plan for retirement For many people, the best way to have an adequate income in retirement is to save gradually over the

whole of their working life and save what they can afford.

The PLSA has produced its Retirement Living Standards to help savers picture the future for what life in retirement looks like at three different levels of expenditure: Minimum, Moderate and Comfortable.

These look at all aspects of day-to-day costs such as weekly food shopping, the cost of transport, going out and holidays.

Roughly speaking, a single person will need about £10k a year to achieve the minimum living standard, £20k a year for moderate, and £30k a year for comfortable.

4. Choices about drawing your pension When savers get to retirement, they can choose how they draw their workplace pension savings.

For example, you can select a product that pays a fixed amount every month (an annuity), take a more flexible option where you can vary what you draw but the amount is not guaranteed (drawdown) or take cash as a lump sum. Savers can also choose a mixture of these approaches.

5. Information and advice is available Free guidance and information is available from the government-backed MoneyHelper and Pensions Wise services or you can seek personalised advice from an independent financial adviser.

WRITTEN BY Nigel Peaple Director, Policy and Advocacy, PLSA

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Partnering to help make businesses dementia friendly People living with dementia worry about their financial independence. That’s why a high street bank has partnered with Alzheimer’s Society to make its services as dementia friendly as possible.

B INTERVIEW WITH Charlotte Matier Director of Development, Alzheimer’s Society

INTERVIEW WITH Fermín Martínez de Hurtado Yela Sustainability Strategy Manager, Santander UK WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

y 2025, it’s estimated that one million people will be living with dementia in the UK. It’s not just an issue for those living with the condition either, because it impacts carers and family members too.

That’s why organisations have to do more to make their services and products as dementia friendly as possible, stresses Charlotte Matier, Director of Development, Alzheimer’s Society.

Take banking, for example. “This is one of the biggest challenges facing people affected by dementia, because they are concerned about losing their financial independence,” says Matier. “They worry about using cash machines and having to deal with different automated tasks or remembering their PIN and security questions. Plus, they are more vulnerable to fraud because they may be less able to judge if a message is a scam.”

So, in 2019, in an effort to become more dementia friendly, Santander formed a partnership with Alzheimer’s Society. This has spawned various initiatives, including the Santander Dementia Steering Group — made up of people affected by dementia — who review Santander’s processes and products; a roster of Santander colleagues who volunteer to make Companion Calls to people affected by dementia for a chat and to check on their wellbeing; and a fundraising drive which has raised over £1.5 million.

Being part of the Santander Dementia Steering Group is empowering for those of us who have dementia. We can have a voice and make changes for the better. Hopefully what we are achieving alongside Santander will in turn help lots of others.” ~ Tracey, a member of the steering group who is living with dementia

Embedding dementia awareness into a business When embarking on a strategic partnership such as this, it’s vital to involve all members of an organisation — from junior team members to senior leadership — from the very start of the process.

“Colleagues across the bank had the opportunity to vote on who our charity partner should be,” explains Fermín Martínez de Hurtado Yela, Sustainability Strategy Manager, Santander UK.

“It was a good way to get everyone’s engagement from the beginning.”

Once the partnership was formalised, it aimed to deliver mutual benefits for both organisations.

“That’s why two colleagues from Alzheimer’s Society have been seconded to our organisation to help us improve the solutions we are developing,” explains Martínez de Hurtado Yela. “They are able to leverage our knowledge — and we are able to leverage theirs, ensuring strategic alignment to deliver on a common ambition.”

Dementia awareness to empower colleagues The bank has also invited colleagues to join Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme, an initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia aiming to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition. This has been taken up by 54% of colleagues. “There is still stigma surrounding dementia,” says Matier.

“Awareness helps employees understand more about the condition - what it is and what it is not - meaning they are much better placed to support customers affected by it.”

The Santander Dementia Steering Group uses their lived experience to review the bank’s products and services to make sure they are dementia friendly.

An example of this is making the cash machines experience more dementia friendly through use of accessible colours, language and sequencing as well as launching a Carers Card Account, so a carer can have their own card and PIN to help with shopping, getting cash and paying bills.

During Dementia Action Week, the bank also launched an external campaign encouraging customers to inform the bank of their dementia diagnosis, to ensure they are accessing support and suitable products, and supported Alzheimer’s Society’s petition to urge the Government to reform social care.

Dementia awareness and support is now part of the bank’s culture. “One of the strengths of our partnership is that it has delivered holistic outcomes, not simply single solutions to individual challenges,” says Martínez de Hurtado Yela.

“The feedback we’ve had from colleagues is that customers and colleagues affected by dementia have responded very positively to it.”

Paid for by Santander

For information about the dementia-friendly banking initiatives access santander.co.uk/personal/support/ supported-banking/dementia. To get support and advice about dementia please contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line (0333 150 3456) or visit alzheimers.org.uk. More information about how to take part in our fundraising activities like Memory Walk is also available on our website.

Who will you for?

Take part in Memory Walk this autumn and walk for a world without dementia.

Join one of 20 events taking place across the UK or take on your own.

Sign up today. Search: Memory Walk Lead sponsor Alzheimer’s Society is registered charity no. 296645

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Make Hourglass 24/7 and challenge the unthinkable It’s unthinkable that an estimated 2,700,000 older people are abused in the UK each year. This abuse could be financial, physical, sexual, psychological or through neglect.

Top tips on how to stay healthier for longer

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ourglass, the UK’s only charity focused exclusively on elder abuse and safer ageing is leading the way in making this unthinkable issue as unacceptable as child abuse or animal cruelty. It’s all too easy to look the other way and even easier to see this as someone else’s problem.

There is a common misconception that domestic abuse ends at age 60, as one in three people in the UK believe that acts of domestic violence directed at older people don’t constitute abuse. There’s also confusion about what ‘elder abuse’ is.

So this year, Hourglass refocused its efforts on a safer ageing agenda. This ensures older people subjected to abuse, harm, intimidation, scams, or fraud know that Hourglass is there to listen, advise and support. After all, we are all going to get older and we believe everyone should be able to age safely.

Hourglass runs the UK’s only 9am to 5pm elder abuse helpline, instant messenger and text service. It has also launched the first online Knowledge Bank to further expand access to the charity and information on the abuse of older people and safer ageing.

Sadly, this unique helpline and messaging service are only open during office hours and we desperately need to make this a 24/7 operation. We get almost 10,000 calls a year but nearly 20% of these cannot currently be answered as they are outside working hours. You can help Hourglass be there for every out of hours caller, it could literally be a life saver.

You can support the 24/7 campaign by making a donation wearehourglass.org.uk/donate Or by texting SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.

Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.

We need you to stand up and be counted.

We need to be 24/7.

WRITTEN BY

Veronica Gray DCEO & Director of Policy, Hourglass

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It is vital throughout life, especially in later years, that you keep yourself fit and healthy. Small changes are effective in improving health.

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hen it comes to ensuring good physical and mental health, it’s never too late to get started. Whatever your age, the most effective things you can do are to take regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, consume alcohol in moderation (or not at all) and stop smoking.

Get up, get active Physical activity is not only important for maintaining good health, but also vital in helping with the process of recovery from illness or injury and to prevent further deterioration. Even a little physical activity is better than none at all.

If you have limited mobility, try to vary your position and use regular tasks such as brushing your teeth or washing your face to move around. If you have more mobility, stand up from your chair regularly and move about within your home. If you are more fit and active, you will be able to go for walks and do exercises. Whatever level you are at, it’s worth persisting so that you gradually build your strength and mobility.

Eating and drinking Nutrition and hydration are important to ensure good health in later life and prevent illness. Older people can experience a loss of appetite, which might be as a result of a long-term condition, a sense of sadness arising from loss and bereavement, or because of the strains of caring responsibilities. Eating a balanced diet and drinking water regularly throughout the day are essential to good health and wellbeing.

Alcohol in later life Cutting back on alcohol comes with clear benefits to health. There are specific problems associated with excessive alcohol use in older people, spanning

a range of physical and mental health conditions.

Alcohol can cause or exacerbate anxiety, depression, and memory problems. When it comes to physical health, alcohol can increase risk of falls and serious injury. Guidelines for a maximum of 14 units a week may still be too much for an older person.

Physical activity is not only important for maintaining good health, but also vital in helping with the process of recovery from illness or injury and to prevent further deterioration.

Quit smoking It’s worth cutting down on smoking or, preferably, quitting completely. Smokers are more likely to develop frailty than non-smokers and there is strong evidence that smoking increases the risk of developing dementia. Local ‘stop smoking’ services are free, friendly and can help your chances of quitting for good.

WRITTEN BY Dr Jennifer Burns President, British Geriatrics Society and Consultant Geriatrician, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

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How to help those with dementia plan for the future In the last year, many of us have had time to take stock and think about putting plans in place for whatever the future may hold, including updating our Wills. For people living with dementia, this often means thinking about setting up lasting powers of attorney and planning for how future care needs can be met.

A WRITTEN BY Jonathan Schott Chief Medical Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK

t Alzheimer’s Research UK, we have developed a new information pack to help you make plans for the future. It contains four factsheets designed to answer some common questions about Wills, inheritance tax, lasting powers of attorney and planning for future care. It comes packaged in a folder for you to add to as you start collecting your own information and useful local contacts.

We should all be regularly reviewing our wishes for what we want later in life. For people with dementia, it is important to do this sooner rather than later to allow individuals autonomy and a say over their decision making.

Whether you are putting your own affairs in order, or supporting a loved one with dementia, knowing that wishes and plans have been organised will, we hope, help give peace of mind.

Advertisement by Alzheimer’s Research UK

who loves and cares for them, and this past year has been particularly challenging. As a researcher and clinician, I have seen the devastating impact of dementia on people and their families and know how crucial it is that we make progress in tackling this condition and the diseases that cause it, to give hope to future generations.

Our goal at Alzheimer’s Research UK is to fund the best research into diagnosis, prevention, treatments and a cure for the diseases that cause dementia. In recent times, the development of vaccines against COVID-19 has demonstrated the enormous impact that medical research can have for society. Research has already helped millions of people recover from cancer and heart disease, we believe we can make the same progress for people with dementia.

The impact of dementia on families Sadly, one in three children born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. As you may know from personal experience, dementia does not just affect individuals but everyone

Request your free pack To request your free Planning for the Future pack, or to learn more about the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK, please contact the Gifts in Wills team using the details below.

T: 01223 896 606 E: giftsinwills@alzheimersresearchuk.org www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/planning-for-the-future

SUPPORT FOR TODAY AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE A gift in your will can help make sure no-one in the future goes through breast cancer alone and no family loses someone they love.

For more information about having your will written or updated for free, visit breastcancernow.org/freewills Breast Cancer Now is a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and the Isle of Man (1200).

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How community projects are helping tackle loneliness and isolation Our health is not simply the absence of illness; it is a positive state in its own right. Meaningful social interaction is proven to be vital in combating loneliness and maintaining our wellbeing.

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hen my younger brother died three years ago, preceded by my mother a few months earlier, I was very unsure what to do and sank into an episode of depression (whilst still on medication). I knew I had to do something real and meaningful to lift myself out of it.

Having read about Men Sheds in Australia, I decided to set one up in an old church hall near where I live.

It is perfectly possible to feel very down and for life still to matter. There have been many challenges – especially COVID-19 – yet addressing these has brought some 20 of us much closer together and we are now ready to expand further into our community.

All in it together Our motto is “Benefitting our community through meeting, making and mending together.” There are so many human ‘conditions’ that benefit from company, and activities that give meaning to life and protect health.

Many of our woes can be dissolved through meaningful activities, banter and the company of others and so we do our best to ensure that people are able to find their sweet spot. This might be quietly weeding; noisily turning something on the lathe; chatting to someone who has brought in an item for repair and much more.

Social prescribing As a GP years ago and before the introduction of printers, I wrote ‘social prescriptions’ by hand on the script itself – advice for diet, exercise, relevant charities, mutual support groups and local/national charities. Now there is a National Academy of Social Prescribing to lead on both research and activities that enable people to be ‘signposted’ to relevant help and support.

Most recently, University College London launched a call for research into loneliness and self-isolation. Together, the UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) and the University of East Anglia bid successfully to research this issue in the context of Sheds. This will be instrumental in informing UKMSA strategy and operations; Shed organisers at local level and those to whom we all relate to in our various communities. It will also build on the recent research published by the Scotland Men’s Shed Association and lever Sheds into the ‘community conversation’ across the UK – without Sheds losing their soul in the process.

WRITTEN BY

Dr Chris Manning MRCGP, Founder and Chair, Sheddington

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Summer brings hope for millions caring for family and friends in the UK The easing of COVID-19 restrictions means carers can now lean on some support from family members and friends after a year of caring mostly, or completely, on their own.

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ooking after a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition or who needs extra help as they grow older can be a hugely rewarding experience, but for many, caring also comes with its challenges.

These challenges have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially for those providing significant hours of care per week. Over the last 15 months, carers have had to grapple with overwhelming levels of worry, exhaustion and loneliness. Some are coping without vital services they relied on before the COVID-19 pandemic and they are not sure whether they will be able to get the same level of support again.

Benefits of change The speed with which we have harnessed technology in the last year has brought some positives for carers – including those caring from a distance. They have been able to use digital services to support them with caring and to stay connected with others; online video conferencing services have opened up new social networks and carers have joined in activities they might not have done in person because of caring.

We have seen an increasing number of carers join our Care for a Cuppa online chats. Better access to online appointments has helped with managing health and finances. Some working carers can now make the most of increased workplace flexibility.

Over the last 15 months carers have had to grapple with overwhelming levels of worry, exhaustion and loneliness.

Worn out A Carers UK survey published last October showed 81% of carers have been providing more care during the pandemic.

Lockdowns meant carers were unable to pull on the informal support of friends and family as they might normally do, combined with reduced support from some health and care services has led to many forgoing breaks from their caring role and taking on more hours of care.

This Carers Week, 72% told us they hadn’t been able to take any breaks during the pandemic and 64% told us they had seen their physical health impacted, while 69% said their mental health has worsened.

Looking forward to summer With restrictions eased once again and summer ahead, for many it means venturing further afield, seeing loved ones for the first time in a long while and getting the time out they deserve. For others, they look to vital support services to help them get back on their feet.

WRITTEN BY Helen Walker Chief Executive, Carers UK

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It may feel like the crisis is almost over, but for some older people the challenge of readjustment is only just beginning. ~ Caroline Abrahams Charity Director, Age UK

Help us fill someone’s last days with love At the end of life, love is all that really matters.

Leaving a gift in your Will to Sue Ryder ensures that we can be there to make space for the love and expert care every person needs when it matters most.

visit: sueryder.org/gifts email: giftinwill@sueryder.org call: 020 7554 5985 Sue Ryder is a charity registered in England and Wales (1052076) and in Scotland (SCO39578). Ref. No. 07326. © Sue Ryder. June 2021.

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Why gifts in Wills are crucial to the future of good causes

Shape the future with a gift in your Will Giving to charity in Wills is vital to the survival of some of the UK’s most beloved causes.

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ow would you like to be remembered? What does it mean to leave a lasting legacy?

Children and grandchildren?

Contribution to your community or time spent volunteering in retirement?

Over the last decade, legacy giving – leaving money to a cause in your Will - has become increasingly vital to charities both large and small. Donations left in Wills fund more than half of Marie Curie hospices, one in every six children in NSPCC care, a third of research done by Cancer Research UK and six out of every 10 RNLI lifeboat launches.

With charities counting the cost of the pandemic on their ability to fundraise, it is estimated that they face a collective £10 billion shortfall this year.

Helping ‘the man on the street’ William Arthur Hamlin was a successful local builder with a determination to “help the man on the street.” In his will he left nearly £1 million to the University of East Anglia to be awarded in a Dragon’s Denstyle scheme to encourage young people from non-privileged backgrounds to run with their entrepreneurial ideas. The money funds start-up grants to test out their budding business ideas and smallscale investments to develop their enterprises.

Stitching a community together Jean Williams’ legacy has made an enormous difference to a small group of women in the rural town of Crickhowell in Wales. Inspired by Jean’s passion for embroidery, her gift funds a sewing circle which brings together people who might otherwise face social isolation. This weekly event stimulates creative energy and provides a tremendous and much-needed boost to mental wellbeing.

Charities have been there for people in times of need. Now, because of the pandemic, they are struggling — but you can show your support for a good cause with a gift in your Will.

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he last 14 months have been tough on people and tough on businesses. But please spare a thought for charities, too, says Rob Cope, because increasing numbers of them have had cuts to their funding and are struggling to survive.

“The charity sector has had to lay-off thousands of staff,” says Cope, Director of Remember A Charity, a coalition of charities set up to encourage gift giving in Wills. “As a result, it’s having to provide the same services — and sometimes more — with fewer staff and resources.”

The grim irony of this is that, in times of crisis, many people rely on charities for support. And the pandemic has been a major crisis that has drastically affected individuals’ physical and mental health, wellbeing and livelihoods. “Going forward, charities will be needed more than ever because they are society’s safety net,” says Cope.

organisations,” says Cope. “During lockdown, traditional ways of fundraising have simply not been possible, for example charity shops have been shut. So, for many charities, this type of donation represents a large percentage of their overall income.”

If there has been one positive from the last year, it’s that people have had the time to reflect on the things that really matter to them. “The pandemic has underlined the uncertainty of life and why it’s important to protect those things closest to our hearts,” says Cope. “That’s where legacy giving comes in.

We’ve seen a huge increase of traffic on our website and an increase in the numbers of people who are planning for the future and leaving a charitable gift in their Wills.

It’s a great way to say ‘thank you’ to those charities that have been there for you during your lifetime, show them some support, and help future-proof the things you care about.”

During lockdown, traditional ways of fundraising have simply not been possible, for example charity shops have been shut.

Even a small donation can make a big difference That’s why it’s so crucial to a leave a gift in your Will to a charity (or charities) of your choice. It’s quick and easy to do — technology has simplified the process, which is why there’s been an increase of Will-writing online — and even the smallest gift can make a big difference to a good cause.

“Gifts in Wills are vital to many charitable

INTERVIEW WITH Rob Cope Director, Remember A Charity WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

Shaping the future Just 6% of people leave a gift to charity in their Will, yet this generosity represents more than a quarter of voluntary income for charities. Including a charitable donation in your Will is straight-forward and the Charities Aid Foundation offers a flexible way to leave one gift to benefit as many charities and good causes as you like.

Your intentions can be focused or varied.

Like Jean and William, your wishes can reflect your interests and passions or causes close to your heart. The choice is yours to make. But it is important to give it some thought because legacy giving can represent the future you leave behind.

WRITTEN BY Monica Brown Head of Legacy Giving, Charities Aid Foundation

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Always

THRILLING Thanks to a gift in your Will

Already, the summer air is alive with life. Insects buzz above the ponds. Birds chatter in the trees.

Jeroen Stel (rspb-images.com)

But out there, above the water, is one of the true wonders of the natural world. A kingfisher is hovering and darting over the shimmering surface. A flash of blue. A thrilling beauty.

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You can help protect birds like this, and where they live, long into the future. Because with a gift in your Will, you can preserve and improve such natural habitats. You can help birds and wildlife to flourish.

Discover how at rspb.org.uk/legacy or call the Legacy team on 01767 693276

Your legacy is nature’s future

MEDIAPLANET

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How do you know if you’re prepared for retirement?

As you make your way through your later life, you may question if you are as prepared as you could be for retirement. This could mean reimagining what retirement really means to you.

T

here’s a great deal to think about when it comes to retirement – how long do you want to keep working?

Have you saved enough? Do you want to completely retire or gradually ease into semi-retirement first? Fundamentally though, it’s a question of what you want the next stage of your life to be like.

It can also be a complex and challenging time both emotionally and financially. Not least of which is the fact that retirement will look and feel very different to previous generations, so we don’t really have a template to work from anymore. Crucially, the time spent in retirement is likely to last for a very

years rather than the hard stop of previous generations. This means understanding how to make the most tax efficient use of your retirement assets (which could include other investments and savings alongside your pensions) and in which order.

A financial adviser can work with you to map out your cashflow requirements based around your short, medium and longer-term goals, allowing for external economic shocks whilst incorporating your views and capacity for risk.

WRITTEN BY Tony Clark Senior Propositions Manager, St. James’s Place Wealth Management

Social care planning As we are all living much longer lives on average, there is an increasing likelihood that some of us will experience a need for social care, either for our elderly loved ones, or a future need for ourselves.

Unless we see any drastic legislative changes, the sobering fact is that most of us will have to pay for some or all of our social care. This is one of the last financial taboos, a problem that all too often gets kicked into the long grass.

There isn’t a simple answer to this other than to meet it head on, utilising financial advice to build into your longer term later life financial planning so you can mitigate having to make difficult choices at an emotionally raw time.

There is now a trend to easing into retirement, gradually shifting the work/life balance over a number of years rather than the hard stop of previous generations.

There are many ways to generate retirement income, but the challenge is ensuring it is sustainable, whilst at the same time managing and maintaining (hopefully growing) your remaining capital for the rest of your life.

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long time, possibly 30 years or more.

This is where engaging with ongoing financial advice can add real value; on one hand helping you to imagine the bigger picture and realise your plans and on the other navigating the myriad decisions that you will face along the way to achieving your dreams.

So, what are the factors that you need to have in mind, and how can advice help?

Creating retirement income Whilst this may sound straight forward enough, what works for one person may not be the right solution for another. There are many ways to generate retirement income, but the challenge is ensuring it is sustainable, whilst at the same time managing and maintaining (hopefully growing) your remaining capital for the rest of your life.

There is now a trend to easing into retirement, gradually shifting the work/life balance over a number of

Estate planning and transferring wealth across generations How we pass on our wealth once we have died, or even what we might do in the event of receiving an inheritance needs careful planning, as this can be somewhat of a minefield and mistakes can be expensive.

As an integral part of later life financial planning, estate planning and intergenerational wealth transfer permeates into how you might use your pensions, what assets fall in or out of your estate and how you use your various tax allowances. This means having a financial roadmap to provide clarity for you and your loved ones.

All of this lies ahead and needs careful attention; the value of advice as we get older is found in providing peace of mind as our circumstances change, so that you can focus on what really matters most to you.

Paid for by St. James’s Place Wealth Management

At St. James’s Place, our focus is on building relationships with our clients over time, helping you achieve your goals through financial wellbeing. sjp.co.uk/products-and-services/retirement

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