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Pass on the joy of stories, long after the final chapter.Gifts In Wills
Do you remember the first time you received an audiobook from Calibre Audio?Do you remember how you felt?If you’ve valued the bespoke, thoughtful service you receive from our knowledgeable membership team - people who take the time to understand your tastes and deliver the audiobooks you’ll truly enjoy, then you already know what makes Calibre Audio special. If our audiobooks have brought you stimulation, escape, knowledge and a stronger sense of connection, a gift in your Will is a powerful way to ensure that same experience is there for others in the future. Your legacy can help generations to come enjoy the service that has meant so much to you.
Dear Friend, Thank you for taking the time to read our guide to leaving a gift in your Will. I am truly grateful that you are considering such a meaningful way to support Calibre Audio and the thousands of people across the UK who rely on us every day. Leaving a gift in your Will is an extraordinary act of generosity. While you may not see the impact yourself, your kindness will open the world of books to people who cannot read print, ensuring that the joy and freedom of reading remains accessible for generations to come. At Calibre Audio, everything we do is guided by our core values: accountability, empathy, community, creativity and integrity. Your legacy gift helps us honour these values and continue delivering our service with care, innovation and compassion. By remembering Calibre Audio in your Will, you are helping to protect a future where no one is excluded from the power of stories. Thank you for considering such a special and lasting contribution. Anthony Chief Executive Officer
As a charity, Calibre Audio supports over 28,000 members by giving them access to books in a way that breaks through isolation and opens doors to knowledge, imagination and enjoyment. Every legacy gift carries the power to transform lives. Every donation, whether large or small, plays a vital role in sustaining our service. To give a sense of scale, it costs over £4,000 a day to run Calibre Audio. A gift in a Will strengthens every part of our work. It helps ensure that our accessible audiobook service continues to reach tens of thousands of people each year - children and adults who, because of print disabilities, cannot read standard print. Your support allows us to keep expanding our collection, improving our technology, and offering lifelong access to stories, learning and connection. Leaving a legacy gift is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact on a cause close to your heart. It ensures that future generations can experience the freedom and joy that accessible books bring - long after you are gone.“Your charity changes my life. The rich colourful world of stories lights up the world beyond my four walls.” Calibre Member Legacy gifts are transformative for the work we do at Calibre Audio. Around 40% of our voluntary income comes from the generous gifts left in Wills by our supporters. This extraordinary contribution plays a crucial role in sustaining our work, helping us provide thousands of people with access to the audiobooks they rely on. Legacy gifts ensure that Calibre Audio can continue offering a lifeline of stories, learning, and connection to anyone who cannot read standard print.
Writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are properly cared for. It gives you the opportunity to decide how your estate will be shared, reflecting your personal values and priorities. Having a Will in place can also greatly reduce stress, confusion and potential disputes for those you leave behind, offering reassurance at what can be a very difficult time. A Will gives you peace of mind, knowing that both the people and the causes close to your heart will be remembered. A Will, however modest, helps ensure your wishes are honoured and your intentions live on. Leaving a gift to charity Many people choose to leave a gift to charity in their Will as a meaningful way to make a lasting difference. Even a small gift can have a powerful impact, helping charities continue their vital work and support those who rely on their services. For some, it is a way to say thank you for help received during their lifetime; for others, it is about standing up for a cause they care deeply about. Leaving a charitable gift is a generous and compassionate act that extends your values beyond your lifetime. It can bring hope, comfort and opportunity to others, ensuring that your legacy continues to make a positive difference for years to come. “Listening to books... helped keep her independent and gave her company on quiet days” Daughter of a Calibre Member
The Rewards of Legacy Giving Make a lasting impact A gift in your Will creates support that extends beyond your own lifetime. You are actively ensuring that your values and kindness continue to benefit others for years to come. Tax advantages Gifts left to registered charities can be exempt from Inheritance Tax. This not only allows you to maximise your donation, but can often mean a reduced tax bill for the rest of your estate. Remember a loved one If someone close to you has used our services, a gift in your Will can be a loving tribute to their memory, supporting others who are also living with a print disability. Inspiration Choosing to leave a legacy gift is an incredible act of generosity. If you feel comfortable sharing your decision, you may inspire others to do the same - creating a ripple effect of support that will help Calibre Audio continue bringing the joy and freedom of accessible books to future generations. Flexibility Legacy gifts come in all shapes and sizes. You might choose to leave a small fixed sum, a percentage of your estate, or a specific item of value. Whatever you decide, you have the freedom to choose the type of gift that best suits your personal and financial circumstances.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds can change over time, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information on the government website: gov.uk/inheritance-tax If the total value of your estate is above the threshold, the amount over this limit may be subject to IHT. If you are married or in a civil partnership, you can combine your allowances. This means the surviving partner can use any unused allowance as well as their own, which may help reduce the amount of tax due. You may also benefit from an increased threshold if you leave your main residence to your children or grandchildren. For the most up-to-date details, it’s best to check the official guidance online. Because Calibre Audio is a registered charity, any gift you leave to us in your will is exempt from Inheritance Tax. This means your gift will be taken off the value of your estate before any tax is calculated, potentially reducing the overall amount of tax payable. There is also an additional benefit: if you leave 10% or more of your taxable estate to charity, the IHT rate on the rest of your estate may be further reduced. If you’re considering leaving a gift, a solicitor, accountant or tax adviser can help you understand the options and make the most of tax-efficient giving. You may also find helpful guidance at: moneyadviceservice.org.uk Inheritance Tax and Gifts to Charity
1. Use a solicitor For total peace of mind, we recommend using a solicitor. They’ll make sure your wishes are crystal clear, and carried out just as you’d like. 2. Think about what (and who) matters Take a moment to consider your assets and who you’d like to include. If you’re thinking of leaving a gift to Calibre Audio, here are our details: Calibre Audio, New Rd, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, HP22 5XQ Registered charity: England & Wales (286614), Scotland (SC051461) 3. Choose your executors Executors are the people who’ll make it all happen - handling paperwork, settling affairs and sharing your gifts as you’ve planned. 4. Keep it safe Store your will somewhere secure and let someone you trust know where it is. Your solicitor can help with safe storage too - no treasure map required. 5. Tell us, if you’d like Your will is personal, of course. But if you do choose to remember Calibre Audio, we’d love to hear from you.
Pecuniary gift (a gift of money) A pecuniary gift is a fixed sum of money specified in your Will. For example, you may choose to leave £500, £1,000 or another amount. This type of gift provides Calibre Audio with a clear and immediate contribution, helping us to produce and supply accessible audiobooks to our members. Residuary gift (a share of your estate) A residuary gift is a gift of all, or a percentage, of what remains of your estate once all other gifts, debts and expenses have been taken care of. Many supporters choose this option because it can grow in line with the value of their estate, while still allowing them to put family and friends first. Specific gift A specific gift is a particular item or asset you choose to leave, such as shares, property, or another valuable item. These gifts can make a significant difference, helping Calibre Audio continue to invest in new titles, technology and services. Reversionary gift A reversionary gift allows you to provide for someone during their lifetime, with Calibre Audio receiving the gift later. For example, you may leave your home to a loved one to live in for the rest of their life, with the property passing to Calibre Audio afterwards. Residuary or pecuniary gifts combined Some people choose to leave their loved ones fixed sums or specific items, and then leave a share of the remaining estate to Calibre Audio. This offers flexibility while still creating a lasting legacy of accessible books and reading.Types of Gifts You Can Leave There are several ways to make a gift, and you can choose the one that feels right for you and your loved ones.
“Calibre Audio is a lifeline for many elderly blind people. It provides information, intellectual stimulation and continued awareness of the outside world. Before losing my sight, I was an avid reader. Provision of Calibre Audio books was a considerable help in relieving the despair and shock that I felt on losing my sight. The service is so helpful, reliable and supportive. The friendliness makes me feel wanted and I have a feeling of belonging to the library. The wide variety of books enables me to carry on with the interests that I had before losing my sight, and to re-live my love of the countryside and travel. The reading of novels increases my understanding of a wide variety of issues that I would not otherwise have and gives me help and confidence when discussing matters with my four student grandchildren. I am supporting Calibre Audio in my Will because they have helped me for so many years and even though the service is free, I am very aware of the costs involved in providing it and keeping up with the rapidly changing technology”Hear from one of our members
“Here are my reasons for leaving a gift to Calibre in my Will. I was registered partially sighted in 2001 due to macular degeneration. No longer able to enjoy reading, sewing, knitting and painting, the audiobooks from Calibre are my lifeline. The charity is so well run and helpful, and leaving a gift in my Will is my thank-you for all the hours of pleasure, and to help ensure that this wonderful service continues for the future enjoyment of its members. My grateful thanks to you all for being there for us, and bringing some sunshine into this sad world.”Why Calibre? Your gift is used carefully and responsibly Calibre Audio is a well‑established charity with a strong track record of responsible financial management. We are committed to making every pound count, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and where they will have the greatest possible impact. You support a charity with purpose and professionalism Calibre Audio combines compassion with careful planning. Our work is guided by clear charitable objectives, supported by professional governance and driven by a commitment to delivering real, measurable benefits to our members. You help resources go where they are needed most Legacy gifts give Calibre Audio the flexibility to respond to changing needs, invest in new audiobooks and technology and plan confidently for the future — ensuring our service remains free and accessible to those who rely on it.
A Gift for Tomorrow You may not hear the books you give Nor see the journeys that they start, Yet through your kindness, audiobooks live For those that print has set apart. No need to witness every smile Or mind your gift sets free; For each of those who listen awhile, Your love of stories comes to be. A legacy, a gentle thread Woven into future days - Your gift ensures that stories spread In countless warm, uncharted ways.calibreaudio.org.uk01296 432339fundraising@calibre.org.ukCalibre Audio is a charity registered in England, Wales (286614) and Scotland (SC051461)