Legacies

If you’re thinking of leaving a gift in your will to BCOP, thank you.

Gifts in wills are vital to making sure we can continue to enrich the lives of the older people we support and care for.

If you would like to leave a gift, you will need the following details:

Registered Charity Name: Broadening Choices for Older People

Registered Charity Number: 1074954

Head Office address: Waterside House, Unit 3 Waterside Business Park, 1649 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 3DR

There are different gifts that you can leave in your will:

• A percentage or share of your estate once all of the other gifts and payments have been made. This is known as a residuary gift.
• A fixed sum of money. Due to inflation over time, the value of these gifts can be reduced although this can be avoided with appropriate wording.  This is known as a pecuniary gift.
• A specific item such as a piece of jewellery, furniture, land or buildings. This is known as a specific gift.

Your solicitor or advisor will be able to assist you in the wording that you include in your Will.  This could also include provision for specific areas of our work.

Ways your money could help BCOP

The donations we receive directly benefit the older people living in our nursing homes and housing schemes.  Your money could:

• Help to subsidise a nursing home place for an older person in need
• Establish a hardship fund to help new tenants in need of support to furnish their home or pay their utility bills
• Help fund a daytrip for our nursing home residents or housing scheme tenants
• Help fund activities and entertainment for our residents and tenants

To discuss other ways your gift could be used to enrich the lives of our residents and tenants, call us on 0121 459 7670 or email us using general@bcop.org.uk

BCOP has been supporting older people in Birmingham for over 75 years – our collaborative and pioneering spirit is the secret to our success

BCOP started life as ‘Birmingham Council for Old People’ in 1946.  It was established by a group of concerned local people who realised that older people needed better care and support than what was available at the time.  World War 2 had destroyed many houses in Birmingham which further compounded the issues around providing medical and lifestyle support for older people.

Some highlights over the years have included:

• Opening the UK’s first day centre for older people
• Launching Birmingham’s first Meals on Wheels service
• Taking 625 older people for a week’s holiday to the Isle of Man
• Launching a Handyperson Service offering practical home adaptations to help older people stay safely in their own homes for longer
• Opening pet farms, reminiscence areas and sensory gardens at each of our nursing homes to make our nursing homes welcoming environments not only for our residents but their families too.
• Opening the mid-century replica high street, ‘Sensory Street’ at Robert Harvey House

Frequently asked questions

How do I include BCOP in my will?

It’s simple to leave a gift in your Will to BCOP.  All you need is our Head Office address and our Registered Charity Number.  Your solicitor or advisor will be able to help with any further specific wordings or restrictions e.g. for a specific nursing home or housing scheme.

Can I update my will to include BCOP?

Yes.  You can make minor additions to your Will and it is worth speaking to a qualified professional to discuss how to do this.

How much does it cost to write a will?

The cost of writing a Will varies greatly depending on who you go with and how complicated it is.  It is worth asking for a quote before starting to write your Will.  For simple Wills you can use the Free Wills company.  There is no obligation to leave a gift to BCOP in your Will if you do use this service.

Click here to go to the Free Wills site: https://www.freewills.co.uk/charity/bcop/

I don’t have a solicitor, how do I find one?

BCOP cannot recommend a specific solicitor.  If you do not currently have a preferred solicitor you can find one who specialises in Wills and probate in your area on The Law Society website.

What do I need to prepare before writing my will?

Before preparing to write your Will you should:

1. Write down a list of everything you own, and any debts you might have. This will help you work out the value of your ‘estate’ so you know what you can afford to leave
2. Decide on what gifts you want to leave, and to whom
3. Choose an executor that you trust to carry out your wishes. This can be a friend, a family member or a professional such as a solicitor or accountant.
4. Create a letter of wishes to help those who may make your funeral arrangements.

Will my gift to BCOP be taxed?

No. BCOP is a registered charity and is exempt from liability to Inheritance Tax.  The value of your gift will be deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is applied.  Please note though, Inheritance Tax rules can change so it’s always best to discuss your Will and the type of gift you might like to leave with your solicitor.  Any assets held within the estate and sold on your behalf would also be free from Capital Gains Tax.

How much does the gift need to be?

Every gift makes a real difference.  Whether your contribution is large or small, we are honoured and extremely thankful that you’re considering supporting us in your Will.

If you have any other questions, please call us on 0121 459 7670 or email us using general@bcop.org.uk