Helping the work of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

Although the Royal College of Psychiatrists is one of the largest Medical Royal Colleges (in terms of membership) it is also one of the newer Colleges, and does not have substantial historical endowments.  Any help which you are able to give is greatly appreciated, and would be put to good use in furthering our work.  You can read more about this work elsewhere on our website.

Have you considered leaving a gift to the College in your will?  There are three main ways to do this:

• Leave a share of your estate (this is known as a residuary bequest) after any debts have been paid and all other bequests made.

• Leave a fixed sum of money (a pecuniary bequest).

• Leave a specific item of value (a specific bequest), such as an item of jewellery, a painting or a property, which could be sold to further the work of the College.

• Alternatively, you might think of specifying that if friends or family wish to make a donation in your memory it should be to the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

An open legacy enables the College to make best use of any generous gift at the time this eventually becomes available, as the areas of greatest need may change over time.  However, a restricted legacy can be used to oblige the College to use a gift in a particular area of work or for a specific purpose.

As a general point, we would always recommend consulting a solicitor or qualified will-writer before making or amending a will.  Amendments to existing wills can be made using a Form of Codicil.

If you would like to discuss these possibilities further I should be delighted to talk to you personally.  Please telephone me on 020 7201 2600 or email me.  Alternatively, any of the College Officers would be pleased to speak with you in confidence.

Thank you very much for considering this.

Vanessa Cameron

Chief Executive