sense generic word template€¦ · web viewthis has been another exciting and challenging year...

No one left out of lifeNo one left out of life

No one left out of lifeSense Annual Review 2018/19

Caption: Line of people enjoying a conga dance.

Sense is: For everyone who is deafblind.

For everyone who has complex disabilities.

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Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no

one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil

their potential.

Our skilled staff offer personalised support through our centres, holidays and short breaks,

or in people’s own homes. We are here for every individual – providing early intervention

for children, helping young people get the right education, and offering supported housing

and life-long learning opportunities.

As well as practical support, we also offer information and support to families, and

campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Caption: man fingerspelling

Caption: young woman with headscarf serves from a dining hatch


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Caption: Support worker claps hands with young boy

Everyone deserves the right to take part in life

This has been another exciting and challenging year for Sense and the people we support.

And as you will read in this Review, there have been some exceptional achievements and

progress.

Everything we do at Sense is about supporting individuals with complex disabilities to

develop their skills and talents, to make choices and to live a full life. We celebrate

everyone’s personal achievements – whether that is experiencing the movement of dance,

making their first cup of tea, riding an adapted bicycle, or trying out photography to show a

unique perspective on the world.

It is this belief and passion that has inspired Sense’s new three-year strategy – No one left

out of life – which gives us the chance to reach more people than ever before. We will

work to ensure the best possible start for children and families. We will do more to support

adults to live and learn at every stage of their lives. And we will strive to reduce loneliness

and isolation, and give a voice to people who often go unheard.

We can make this vision as reality thanks to the remarkable support and commitment of

many people: the individuals and families we serve, our staff, volunteers and our dedicated

and ever-generous supporters.

My thanks to you all,


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Richard Kramer

Priority one:

Children and families get the best possible start

Caption: Young girl explores a Wendy House with her support worker

“Greta is an explorer, very strong willed” says her mum Zoe, “she’s been a fighter from the word go.”

She’s had to be. Greta was born with a very challenging genetic condition called CHARGE

which means, in her case, that she is deaf and has other physical problems that required

surgery when she was tiny. “It was a massive shock,” says Zoe. “We just thought how are

we going to do this?”


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It is vital that children with complex disabilities get help as early as possible so they have

the best chance in life – and fortunately Greta’s family found Sense when she was very

little. Her parents received specialist advice and guidance, they attended CHARGE

information days and drew strength from linking up with other parents in the same position.

Greta also goes to the Twiglets group at Sense’s Family Centre in Bristol, which she

absolutely loves says her mum. As well as getting stuck into all sorts of stimulating

sensory activities with the other children – from musical circle time to dabbling her feet in

water – she spends special one-to-one time with Ellie, who is a family support worker.

They explore tactile toys and games together, find Greta’s favourite cuddly dinosaur and

head off to explore the wendy house. As they do this Ellie uses sign language which Greta

is understanding more and more – and now she is starting to use some signs herself.

“We feel optimistic for Greta now,” says Zoe. “We know that she can have a full life.”

What we offer

For a child with complex disabilities, exploring the world around them, finding a way to

communicate and learning to trust people can be immensely difficult. It is vital that these

children get help as early as possible and Sense specialists have the expertise to

understand each child’s ways of communicating and – in partnership with parents – put

together stimulating programmes that will help them to learn and grow in confidence. Our

services include:

Assessments of each child’s particular needs and putting together an early intervention

programme for them.

Developing each child’s communication, confidence and skills through sensory play

and exploration.

Offering information, guidance and support for parents – including support at health

clinics and to find the right education for their child.

Running specialist pre-school groups, such as play groups.


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Guidance during the transition between childhood and adulthood.

Support for the whole family – from fun family events to sibling weekends, holidays to

short breaks.

Priority 2:

Adults are supported to live and learn at every stage of their lives

Caption: young woman smiles as she unloads here washing machine

“I love to do things for myself”

“When I was at college there were so many people that I didn’t feel I had enough

independence. I wanted to have more free time and do things for myself.

I have lived here for seven years with Caroline and Lins who are my friends. In the

evenings we do share meals and I cook three times a week. I look in the fridge and see

what ingredients we have. Tonight I am going to do spaghetti with sauce.


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There is a nice garden with tables and chairs. When it is sunny we sit out the garden under

the sun umbrella. We have friends over for parties. I have loads of funny memories.

I like to choose lots of different things to do. I love baking cakes and putting the icing on

top. Last week I used a sewing machine for the first time. I’m really excited to learn

something new. A lady helps me so I can do it myself.

I also love spending time with my friend Chloe. Next year we are going to Italy for two

weeks with my family. We are planning it and I am excited.

I love to do things for myself.”

Natacha

What we offer

Sense believes passionately that each person with complex disabilities should be able –

as far as possible – to choose the support and lifestyle that is right for them. Our specialist

services are built around each individual’s needs and preferences.

We offer a range of high quality and flexible housing opportunities where individuals are

supported to run their day-to-day lives as they wish, and to be as independent as

possible at home and in the local community. We plan to quadruple our supported

living provision in the next three years.

At our centres and colleges, individuals are supported to choose from a huge variety of

activities to help them develop their confidence and life skills – from planning a

shopping trip to cooking a meal, relaxing in a sensory room to getting work experience.

Our Arts, Sports and Wellbeing programme gives people to chance to express

themselves, enjoy physical activities and enjoy peace of mind – which can all be

challenging for people with complex disabilities.


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In 2018/19:

1,267 children and families were supported by Sense.

Caption: Laughing young girl in wheelchair with her brother.

256 families came along to 48 family days where they found information and support; 686

families attended 227 pre-school group sessions such as early years groups; and 79

young people came along to 9 teenager support sessions to talk about their dreams and

aspirations.

In Northern Ireland we can now offer more pre-school nursery and day care places for

children with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairment, after moving into new premises

at Jordanstown School, a centre of excellence.

20 amazing holidays provided for 53 children and young people.

Caption: Group of holidaymakers laughing towards the camera


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Visiting new places. Doing new things. Meeting new people. Having fun. That’s what

Sense Holidays and Short Breaks are all about. Our holidaymakers feel valued, make

choices, and take part in activities – all with the support of our skilled holiday leaders and

volunteers who make their time away a memorable experience. Sense Holidays also give

families a vital break.

“You get to go away and have fun,” enthused Reuben after his holiday at Macaroni Wood.

“You get to meet new people, be independent and get to do stuff you’ve never done

before.”

Over 2,000 people volunteered, donating over 550,000 hours of their time.

Get Out There celebrated 400 memorable meetings

Caption: HRH The Princess Royal shakes the hand of a young girl from the GOT club.

The Get Out There (GOT) group in Cornwall, which welcomes young people with a wide

range of challenges to try all sorts of exciting and confidence-building activities – from

surfing to spray painting – was thrilled to welcome our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal to

their tenth birthday celebrations.

This group has been so successful that Sense has also set up thriving new groups in

Sandwell in Birmingham, Stockport and Warwickshire.


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Thousands of hours of friendship given by volunteer buddies.

Caption: Young man with his buddy

Sense’s Buddying Scheme in London offers social opportunities and experiences to young

people with disabilities who might otherwise be lonely and isolated. Each person ‘buddies

up’ with a volunteer who has shared interests with them, and they can pursue these

together.

In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, 42 children and young people have been linked

with 44 volunteer buddies and spent 3,969 hours together. And in The East London Young

People’s Project we supported 30 young people to experience all sorts of community

activities to help them prepare for adulthood.

“I get fed up if I’m always at home, doing nothing. I look forward to my Saturdays, going

out, having a chat” - Jordan


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Priority 3:

Individuals are less lonely and more connected with their communities

Caption: Man smiles, standing alongside his mother

“It’s like something has opened up for him”

For a long time it seemed that Tony and his mother Janet had simply been forgotten, left

without support to struggle on alone. “For years we had no contact with anybody”, says

Janet, “and Tony just withdrew into himself, he didn’t talk to you.”

Fortunately, a resourceful social worker found out about Sense’s TouchBase South East

centre and a new journey began for them both. “Of course, he was quite nervous at first,”

says Janet, “but that soon changed.” He loves getting out and meeting the people at the

centre, and trying out all the activities on offer, from music to cooking, trampolining to –

best of all – rock clmbing.


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“I will never forget that day for as long as I live,” says Janet. “Tony walked in the door and

said to me, `You’ll never guess what I did today Mum – I’ve been rock climbing.’ When

Tony was young, and could see better, he used to love climbing trees with his brother.”

These experiences have done wonders for Tony’s confidence. He has a Sense intervenor,

Graham, who supports him to explore his local town, and has joined Sense’s Service

User’s Group which advises staff on how our services can be developed.

“It’s like something has opened up for him,” says Janet. “Everything is coming in and he’s

passing it back out. Recently he said, `Can we go in a shoe shop to have a look at the

shoes?’ He’s never done before. That’s new, my son is taking me shopping and he’s

telling me what he wants to do.”

Caption: Tony climbs the climbing wall.

What we offer

Living with deafblindness or having complex disabilities can be one of the most isolating

and lonely experiences that anyone can experience. Which is why Sense is so passionate

about helping people to find a way to communicate and to connect with others.

Every opportunity is used to find creative ways, and stimulating activities, to help

individuals to connect with those around them – whether that be taking part in a dance

class, cooking a meal together or going on an outing to the seaside. Other services

include:

Communicator Guides help older people to carry on doing the things they’ve always

done, but find difficult because of failing sight and hearing. This might mean helping


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someone to do some food shopping, meet friends or go to the doctors. They make an

enormous difference to people’s lives and help to alleviate loneliness and isolation.

The Sense Users Reference Group brings together people who use our services so

that they can have a real say in what we offer.

Sense’s 4,900 members – including many individuals with sensory impairments and

families – have the chance to get involved in our work, including campaigning,

volunteering and fundraising.

Priority 4

Society has a better understanding and awareness of the people we support.

“It was absolutely amazing that so many people signed up to support our campaign”

Like many parents of a loved one with complex disabilities, Inge is fearful about what will

happen to her daughter Noreen when she can no longer care for her. Noreen is 37 now

and is blind, epileptic and has learning disabilities. “I dread thinking about what will happen

to Noreen when I’m gone,” says Inge.

“I worry about the lack of quality services, and that a decision would be based on ‘where

there’s a bed available’, rather than whether it was suitable for her. If she’s not happy

where she is and with the people who look after her, she will refuse medication, food and

drink. She becomes incredibly unhappy.”

Research by Sense revealed that 75% of families caring for someone with complex needs

share the same fears as Inge – so Sense launched a campaign to make politicians and the

public aware of this worrying situation. Over 36,000 people signed a petition to support our

campaign and Inge, Noreen and staff from Sense handed this in to 10 Downing Street.

“Without this campaign, a lot of people would never have heard about the problems that

parents like us face” says Inge. I don’t know what I had expected, but never imagined that


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so many people would sign up and support us. I thought it was a fantastic campaign, I

really do really do.”

Caption: Inge, Noreen, Richard Kramer and others present the petition into 10 Downing

Street

Caption: Noreen gives Inge a cuddle

When I’m Gone campaign

Following the launch of our ‘When I’m Gone’ report in 2018, we continued to campaign for

more support for disabled people and their families – so that they can plan their future care

when their families are no longer able to support them.

Activities during the year included continuing calls for increased funding and reform of the

adult social care system and raising awareness with parliamentarians and ministers.

A key part of the campaign was our national petition calling for there to be a national duty

on local authorities to support families to plan for the future. Working in partnership with

Sense Trading we were delighted to receive over 36,000 petition signatures. The petition


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was handed in to 10 Downing Street in December 2018, by Noreen and Inge along with

Sense staff.

We secured 136 pieces of media coverage for the campaign, including a BBC News

exclusive and coverage on BBC Breakfast. The campaign also featured strongly on our

social media channels. Alongside the campaign we produced a toolkit for families to

support them to plan for the future – ‘Decisions to make, Steps to take’. Our work in 2019

included promoting and disseminating the toolkit and partnering with other organisation to

ensure that as many families as possible were supported to make plans.

In 2018/19:

96% of Sense services rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission

Caption: Young woman smiles in yoga class

We also gained our first ‘outstanding’ rated service, which achieved the highest score

possible across all five areas of inspection. Five of our services are now rated as having

‘outstanding’ features

During 2018/19, we opened new supported living services in Lincolnshire, Birmingham,

Wales and Northern Ireland. Sense offers a range of high quality and flexible housing

opportunities, ranging from houses where individuals have very high support needs to

accommodation where people need a lower level of support to live independently.


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More than 40,000 people attended 4,151 creative and wellbeing sessions run by Sense TouchBase Pears in Birmingham

Caption: Individuals create a group body sculpture

Sense TouchBase Pears is a pioneering, multi-purpose centre for the whole community in

Birmingham and beyond – a place that brings people together in a welcoming environment

where everyone can feel connected, included and part of the community. In 2018/19 a

huge range of inspiring activities – from dance to sensory storytelling – offered inspiration

and opened new horizons.

Over 4,000 enquiries and referrals dealt with by our Information Team –

covering the lifespan from pre-birth to older age.

780 individuals with complex disabilities took part in inclusive sports and physical activities.

Caption: Young man spins a ball on his finger


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We believe that, with the right adaptations and support, anyone can enjoy physical

activities. Our Sporting Sense project aims to increase the numbers of disabled people

getting active by creating inclusive, fun and engaging activities in the community.

This year, we offered 780 sessions in a variety of sports and activities across London, the

Midlands and the North – from cycling, swimming and yoga to Tai Chi, gymnastics and

football.

1,200 brilliant shop volunteers

Our staff and 1,200 brilliant volunteers in our 109 shops worked their socks off all through

the year – not least during three national `fun weeks’ where customers were introduced to

sensory materials so that they could experience and explore some of the challenges faced

by the people we support.

Sense’s shops play vital role in raising awareness of the needs of people with complex

disabilities, building strong links with local communities and bringing in vital funds.

Captions: Volunteers on cake stall out side a shop

You are BRILLIANT!Last year, our amazing supporters raised a magnificent £xx m for Sense. By taking on

physical challenges, hosting special events and making regular donations you enable us to

continue to offer vital support services to people with complex disabilities and their

families.


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Caption: Sense cyclists punch the air as they cycle past.

Here we go!

862 people ran, walked, cycled or took on a challenge for us last year:

176 cyclists donned their purple and orange jerseys to take part in Ride London –

covering an epic 100 miles each and raising almost £70,000.

432 brave runners took part in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon, raising more

than £800,000 for our vital work.

So appealing

Our appeals this year were some of our most successful ever:

Our 2018 Christmas Appeal, which told the stories of Mia and Elliot raised £406,041,

including a very generous gift of £50,000.

10-year-old Teegan shared her summer experiences in our Sense Holiday Appeal

which raised £199,333 – which will enable other children to enjoy the freedom of a

Sense Holiday.


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Caption: Teegan gives thumbs up on her holiday

Where there’s a Will

Last year, 139 special people chose to remember Sense in their Will and leave a lasting

gift to the people we support.

Ronald Harrison, for example, was inspired by his niece Janet – who lives in a Sense

service in Lincolnshire – to leave a gift in his Will. Thanks to his generosity, we were able

to fit a new kitchen, so that it is easier for the people who live there to enjoy cooking and

baking. Janet loves to bake, so this was a fitting tribute.

Backing innovationWe are also enormously grateful to the trusts and statutory supporters who make such a

substantial contribution to our work. These progressive organisations and individuals have

supported some truly innovative work – including our Sense Arts, Sport and Wellbeing

programme, and our new Sense TouchBase Pears centre.


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Caption: Woman dances in unison with her instructor

We’ve got to hand it to you

Following their fantastic bike ride for Sense in 2017, the team at Mazars aimed even

higher this year and created a Guinness World Record for holding the largest-ever tactile

signing lesson. Led by Emma Boswell, who is deafblind herself, 390 employees, Sense

staff and supporters learned how to communicate by spelling the letters of words onto

another person’s hand – and raised an incredible £7,000 for Sense.

Caption: Mazars staff practise their finger spelling

Teri’s dream

Teri was inspired to fundraise for Sense after she lost her sight for one terrifying week.

“I was so confused and scared,” says Teri. “It is charities like Sense that made me realise

that I could still succeed, be myself and achieve anything – with or without my sight.”


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Teri and her sister were inspired to organise a festival called Music on the Moor. They

recruited 18 bands and artists from the Stoke-on-Trent music scene who were happy to

perform for free and raised a brilliant £560. “I would 100% recommend joining Team

Sense,” she says.

Caption: Teri and her sister at the festival

Our financesSense’s total income for 2018/19 was £65.3 million, which compares favourably with

2017/18 (£64.2 million) and reflects the sustained level of activity in this period.

Income from commissioned services covering accommodation, day care, education and

community services increased from £43.0 million in 2017/18 to £44.4 million in 2018/19 as

a result of expanding existing services and opening new ones. This reflects the demand

for our high quality services which deliver excellent outcomes for the individuals we

support.

Our fundraising activities generated £8.9 million income, which is less than the previous

year because of fundraising activity for Sense Touch Base Pears in the prior year. Income

from legacies was consistent with last year.

Trading revenue increased slightly to £10.8m from £10.6m last year despite continued

challenging trading conditions. The development of new shops in advantageous locations

continued during the year while unprofitable shops were closed.

The Sense Group Sense is made up of two separate organisations:


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Sense

Sense International.

The above figures exclude Sense International. Each part is a registered charity and a

company limited by guarantee, with its own Board and Memorandum and Articles. Each

organisation runs its own activities for supporting and promoting the interests of children

and adults who are deafblind or have multi-sensory impairments and associated

disabilities.

Sense International supports and develops programmes in Bangladesh, India, Kenya,

Nepal, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda.

Income £m Expenditure £m

Fundraising and Legacies 8.9 4.1

Sense Trading 10.8 10.4

Sense Midlands 9.9 8.8

Sense East 13.2 11.7

Sense South 9.9 11.2

Sense North 6.7 6.8

Sense Northern Ireland 1.9 1.9

Sense Wales 1.0 1.2

Sense Adult Specialist Services - 0.7

Sense Education and Development 1.8 1.8

Sense Arts and Wellbeing 0.4 0.5


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Sense Holidays and Volunteering 0.2 0.7

Sense Children’s Specialist Services - 0.5

Campaigning, Publicity and Awareness 1.3

Quality and Development 0.5

Touchbase 0.3 1.2

Other Income 0.3 0.1

Total 65.2 63.4

Major supporters of SenseArts Council England

Audrey Earle Charitable Trust

Baron Davenport's Charity Trust

BBC Children In Need Appeal

Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired Ltd

Birmingham City Council

British Film Institute

Cantiacorum Foundation

CHK Charities Ltd

Frazer Trust


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G J W Turner Trust

GMC Trust

G M Morrison Charitable Trust

Gertrude Gourvich Charitable Trust

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

Horton Charitable Trust

Joan Wilkinson Charitable Trust

London Stock Exchange Group Foundation

Louis Nicholas Residuary Charitable Trust

Margaret Giffen Charitable Trust

Merchant Taylors' Company Trusts

Midlands Arts Centre

National Foundation For Youth Music

Payne Gallwey 1989 Charitable Trust

Pears Foundation

Peter Storrs Trust

Sir John Priestman Charity Trust

Smith Charitable Trust

Sport England


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The Albert Hunt Trust

The Annette Duvollet Trust

The Ballinger Charitable Trust

The Bartle Family Charitable Trust

The Blair Foundation

The City Bridge Trust

The David Uri Memorial Foundation

The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust

The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust.

The Essex Youth Trust

The F.A. Alford Charitable Trust

The Fulmer Charitable Trust

The Gale Charity Trust

The Hadley Trust

The Heald Charitable Trust

The Hyde Foundation

The Lawson Trust

The Lillie C Johnson Charitable Trust

The Lockwood Charitable Foundation


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The Michael Marsh Charitable Trust

The Open Gate Trust

The P F Charitable Trust

The Patrick and Helena Frost Foundation

The Peacock Charitable Trust

The Pilkington Charities Fund

The Princess Anne's Charities Trust

The Roselands Trust

The Rowlands Trust

The Skylarks Endowment Fund

The Strangward Trust

The Tanner Trust

The Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust

The Violet Helen Dixon Charitable Trust

The Welland Charitable Trust

The William Kenneth Hutchings Charitable Trust

The Wixamtree Trust

ukactive

Williams Brown Hill Charitable Incorporated Organisation


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Williams Family Foundation

Worth Waynflete Charitable Trust

2018/19 14,000 people benefitted from our support.

95,000 generous people donated money to Sense

862 enterprising people walked, ran or cycled for us.

139 people left a gift in their Will.

About SenseSense is a national disability charity that supports people with complex communication

needs to be understood, connected and valued. We are here for every person who faces

communication barriers in a world that relies on being able to see and hear well to be

connected. Our flexible and personalised services empower people to communicate and

express themselves – be it through speech or sign, touch or movement, gesture or sound,

art or dance. Together, we connect differently and campaign passionately for the right to

lead connected and fulfilled lives.

If you, or someone you know, require this information in a different format, please contact

Sense Information and Advice - contact details below.

Sense

101 Pentonville Road

London

N1 9LG


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Tel: 0300 330 9256 (voice)

Text: 0300 330 9256

Fax: 0300 330 9251

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sense.org.uk

Patron: HRH The Princess Royal

Registered charity number: 289868


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sense generic word template€¦ · web viewthis has been another exciting and challenging year...

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