Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Opinion

Countdown star Susie Dent: Why 'willanthropy' is my new favourite word

The mashup word will change the way we look at wills and help charities

Willanthropy

 I’ve always loved linguistic mashups. These are new words created by blending parts of existing ones together, such as ‘bromance’ or ‘brunch’. It’s true that some of them – like ‘chillax’ – now grate on the nerves, and others can feel a little ungainly (I’m thinking ‘mansplaining’ here), but this has become by far the most popular method of inventing new words, and there’s no denying their usefulness. 

The writer Lewis Carroll named them ‘portmanteaux’, likening them to two parts of a folding suitcase. And he himself gave us some of the best: ‘chortle’, for example, is a perfect blend of ‘chuckle’ and ‘snort’. But my favourite mashup in a long time is much more recent, and not only is it smoothly creative, but it also carries a powerful message. Let me introduce you to ‘willanthropy’. 

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

‘Willanthropy’ is the creation of Remember a Charity, a consortium of around 200 wonderful charities who are on a mission to change the way we talk about wills. It is of course a portmanteau of ‘will’ and ‘philanthropy’, and so it does exactly what it says on the tin. ‘Willanthropy’ replaces the more formal expression ‘legacy giving’, which might suggest leaving a bigger pot of money to a charity than we are capable of. By contrast, ‘willanthropy’ nicely conveys altruism in all its forms and, crucially, in any amount, large or small, for such gifts can be alongside, not instead of, those we leave for our loved ones.

Many of us have been close to a charity or community project at some point in our lives. It might be a local food bank or hospice, an animal rescue centre or sports foundation. We might want to support medical research or support for those going through illness. ‘Willanthropy’ allows us to freely choose any organisation with which we feel some connection. It also enables the precious work of that charity to carry on so that, bit by bit, we can make the world a little better. 

I remember my surprise at learning that six out of 10 lifeboat launches are dependent on money left to the RNLI in wills, while the British Heart Foundation receives over 50% or more of their funding from these important gifts. The NSPCC also receives a significant amount of their funding (an average of over £20m per year) from the wills of those who would like the charity’s vital work to carry on for generations to come. While it’s great to see the strides taken, there is much more work to be done.  

Advertisement
Advertisement
Susie Dent
Susie Dent. Image: Ken McKay / ITV / Shutterstock

Of course, death is far from a popular subject for discussion. Death and money make for a double whammy: a combination of two of the greatest taboos today. Research conducted by Remember a Charity suggests that one in three of us have struggled to tackle conversations about death, despite two thirds of us agreeing that they are so important to have. 

I have spent my life exploring language, and I’ve seen at first hand the power of words to change our mindset, however insignificant they might at first appear. Expressions such as ‘body positive’ and ‘age positive’, for example, have reframed our thinking about these issues in quite profound ways. 

I see ‘willanthropy’ as another, powerful, step in the right direction. The making of a will, and conversations with our loved ones about the wishes and hopes we would like to reflect in it, can be a hugely positive and empowering experience. Bit by bit, and through the medium of words, we can destigmatise the subject of death and how we plan for it. Even the smallest amount of money can collectively bring about incredible change for the good. 

By the way, if you’re interested in learning my favourite blend of all time, it would have to be a ‘snaccident’: the inadvertent eating of an entire packet of biscuits when you meant to have just the one. If I had the power to nudge that into a dictionary, I would. But English is entirely democratic, and it’s up to all of us to move it forward. I hope that very much, before long, ‘willanthropy’ will find its way into our lexicons too. After all, at the heart of philanthropy is the Greek word for love. 

What better way to show love towards our fellow humans than keeping our connections to them alive?  

Next week (9-15 September) marks Remember a Charity Week. Remember a Charity is calling
on the public to consider leaving a charitable donation in their will, after looking after their loved ones. Find out more about leaving a gift to a charity in your will

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us moreBig Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
Starmer's first 100 days sees the UK in Bizarro World. Is this really the change people voted for?
Starmer at the Labour party conference
Adam Barnett

Starmer's first 100 days sees the UK in Bizarro World. Is this really the change people voted for?

Yes, live music can change your life
Sam Delaney

Yes, live music can change your life

Will Labour's employment and renting reform bills finally end millennials' insecurity?
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner
Alice Martin

Will Labour's employment and renting reform bills finally end millennials' insecurity?

Mental health impact of debt and cost of living must stop being overlooked
benefits dwp/ piggy bank
Julie Bentley

Mental health impact of debt and cost of living must stop being overlooked

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know