ILM launches advanced legacy management diploma

[THE INSTITUTE OF LEGACY MANAGEMENT has announced the launch of its new Diploma in Charity Legacy Management.

The diploma is an advanced course that has been developed by ILM in partnership with the University of Law. The course covers the principal areas of charity legacy management that practitioners are likely to encounter on a daily basis, providing progressive development of technical expertise and skills, reinforcing experience gained in the workplace.

It is the logical next step for anyone managing legacies who has already completed the CiCLAqualification, or who has several years’ experience working in a legacy team.

Announcing the launch of the course in October, the ILM said: “Completing the Diploma in Charity Legacy Management will help you develop your leadership and management skills, with a focus on finance and compliance, whilst also giving the opportunity to pick from a range of elective modules, including communication, research and marketing skills.”

The diploma is intended to form a bridge between experience and knowledge of charity legacy administration and obtaining a qualification which can demonstrate an ability to be appointed to higher management roles, including directorships and positions requiring senior management of multiple teams.

The course is primarily carried out via distance-learning, so it can be undertaken at students’ own pace, when and where they like. It consists of three core modules, which are compulsory, plus four elective modules, which the candidate can choose from a selection of nine options.

Those who would like to find out more about the diploma, and have the opportunity to ask questions, can register for the second of two briefing sessions on 10 December. Visit legacymanagement.org.uk. q

Holidays help boost confidence of young cancer patients “

It’s a great experience to meet other people who have been through similar experiences in such a positive and upbeat setting, away from hospitals and cancer centres.”

[THIS QUOTE FROM Kate sums up the value of the work undertaken by the Youth Cancer Trust. The organisation provides free therapeutic activity holidays for teenagers and young adults – those aged between 14 and 30 – from the UK and Ireland who are suffering from cancer.

Cancer can tear a patient’s world apart, and at an age where everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives – with university, relationships and careers – the diagnosis of cancer can bring all of that to a halt.

The Youth Cancer Trust helps reduce the sense of loneliness, which often accompanies long stays in hospital and time off school. Long term friendships are formed and families are given a much deserved break, knowing their child is having fun and being looked after.

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations, such as those from legacies, to help support the needs of young cancer patients like Kate. q For more information visit www.youthcancertrust.org.

Saving lives one sniff at a time

[HYPO HOUNDS provide a viable health care alternative for children and their families by training a Diabetic Alert Dog to detect the subtle changes in the child’s blood sugar levels.

The dogs are trained to alert parents when the child’s sugar levels drop dangerously low or rise too high. This not only impacts on the child but also on the family’s ability to function as a unit, with the registered carer becoming the dog.

Hypo Hounds work is becoming nationally recognised and is literally saving the lives of children – one sniff at a time. q

Charity’s compassionate arms reach out beyond our borders

[PAWS2RESCUE is a UK registered charity that works to relieve the suffering of animals, with a particular focus on dogs. Its mission is simple: to help animals in need wherever they are. As Paws2Rescue is entirely staffed by volunteers, every penny raised enables them to fulfil their mission over and over again.

Although it is a UK- based charity, at Paws2Rescue they recognise that too many animals overseas suffer appalling neglect and cruelty. That’s why, as well as finding loving UK homes for unwanted dogs and cats, they undertake a variety of international projects to reduce the suffering of animals, with a particular focus on Romania and Moldova – countries where animals continue to suffer the most distressing abuses.

The charity’s Alison Standbridge explained: “We aim to alleviate the day-to-day misery of these unfortunate animals by meeting their basic needs – food, medical treatment and sanctuary – by supporting shelters in rural areas where resources are desperately needed. At the same time, we recognise that the key to truly ending this misery is to tackle its root causes. Therefore, we also work across locations in Romania and Moldova to provide free neutering services for both stray and owned animals, encouraging owners to take responsibility for their pets’ health by preventing unwanted litters of kittens and puppies.”

Its Veterinary Scholarship Programme funds young people through their university studies to encourage more local vets to work in rural areas in Romania where the need is greatest. Furthermore, they understand that education is crucial to their mission. They promote compassion for animals around the globe, running education programmes for schoolchildren in Romania and Moldova to encourage future generations to learn to treat animals with kindness.

Alison Standbridge continued: “If future generations are brought up to hold the same antiquated, cruel attitudes towards animals as many of their elders, then the horrible abuses will continue for years to come. To break that negative cycle, our successful schools programme uses purpose-made educational materials to foster compassion, teaching children to love and respect all living things.”

So, although the current aim may be to help animals in need wherever they are, the final goal is to ensure that no more animals need their help.

By leaving a legacy to Paws2Rescue, no matter how small, donors can rest assured that every penny of their kind donation will be helping dogs, cats and other animals in desperate circumstances both now and in the future.

A gift in a will helps them to be there for abused, neglected and stray animals, protecting them and giving them a new start in life with food, shelter, medical treatment and sanctuary – animals such as Cosmo. It also enables them to continue to change attitudes towards animals in countries where compassion can sometimes be in short supply. q

Cosmo would not have survived if he had been left at the side of the road. Look at the difference in him now!