Ready, get set, ACTION!
Sense Annual Review 2015
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We support people of all ages who are deafblind, have sensory impairments
and those with complex needs.
There is a thriving community of active families at the heart of Sense.
We strive to ensure that our services are built around the needs and wishes of
each individual.
We have specialist skills in supporting people with complex communication
needs.
We support people to express themselves and explore stimulating new
experiences.
Our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, presenting awards to a group of
adventurous young people.
I am hugely proud that Sense has been supporting people with sight and hearing
impairments, and often other disabilities, for 60 years.
So many things have changed for the better in that time. Where there was once little
help for deafblind people and their families, Sense now offers high quality services
and support - based around individual dignity and choice.
But our ambitions don’t end there. I am keenly aware that there are still many
disabled individuals and families struggling to get the right support. And in these
financially difficult times we need to be even more creative and determined to bring
new opportunities to them.
This review shows how we are continuing to push the envelope – giving children
stimulating new experiences, offering life-enhancing arts and outdoor activities and
empowering people to have their say.
None of this would be possible without the incredible backing of our staff, volunteers
and supporters. My thanks to each and every one of you.
Here’s to the next 60 years!
Gill Morbey
Giving children the best possible start
“Sometimes Ernie got sad and upset because he didn’t have the strength in
his hands to learn sign language. So he was introduced to all sorts of tactile
play and his fingers got stronger and stronger.”
Three-year-old Ernie is quite an entertainer says his mum, Helen. He loves playing
with his twin brother Ted, drawing and making a nice mess with shaving foam and
bubbles!
He was born with Down’s syndrome and has sight and hearing impairments as well
as weak muscles.
It is vital that children like Ernie get help early - so that they can be supported to
interact with the world, communicate and develop their skills and confidence.
Fortunately Ernie’s mum, Helen, found out about Sense’s Woodside Family Centre
and their highly experienced staff were able to assess Ernie’s needs, offer guidance
and support the whole family.
“The staff really get to know each child,” says Helen “and they advised us how to
help Ernie to move forward.” He was introduced to all sorts of messy play – like
finger painting and having fun with sand – and gradually his motor skills and coordination improved.”
“It was lovely those first times when Ernie signed back to me,” says Helen
“Now he’s got quite an extensive vocabulary and knows all his animals and foods.
He can tell you what he wants now - it is really great to see.”
The difference we make:
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Our Children’s Specialist Services assess each child’s particular needs and put
together programmes that will help them to learn and develop.
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Sense supports the whole family. We offer a wide range of activities – from
family days to sibling weekends – where people can share information, take a
break and realise that they are not alone with the challenges they face.
2015 highlights
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Sense supported 1,039 children and young people across England, Wales and
Northern Ireland - 4% more than the previous year, including 185 families who
contacted us for the first time.
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We opened the new Hadley Family Centre in north London which will offer
specialist support to children and families across the South East.
Supporting active, healthy lives
“I like walking barefoot. I enjoy the sensation of getting into the mud and
water. It’s lovely and soft.”
Helene would be extremely isolated without support - and her world would be a
frightening, empty place.
But happily it’s not like that.
Sense supports her to live in her own flat and she loves to take part in the stimulating
and sociable activities we offer. The Barefoot Walk, one of many outdoor activities
we provide, is a particular favourite. She also enjoys climbing, skating and the sauna
– to name a few.
Sense offers an ever-changing choice of challenging activities for the people we
support. Apart from being a lot of fun, these help individuals to grow in confidence,
stay healthy and enjoy a real sense of achievement. And they are a brilliant way to
bring people together, to share experiences and build friendships.
With this growing confidence, Helene has started to stretch her wings. She’s made
new friends and is now an active member of SURG – Sense’s User’s Reference
Group. “I go twice year” she says. “We discuss things about Sense’s policy and
practice. We make a difference.”
The difference we make:
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A wide choice of stimulating and challenging activities help people stay heathy
and active.
Individuals with a range of challenging disabilities can choose the type of
accommodation, and the level of support, that is right for them.
2015 highlights
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Over 1,000 people took part in our sports and arts activities last year.
On an outward-bound adventure in Denmark, dune walks, fishing and bridge
building created a special bond of comradeship and cooperation.
Empowering people to have their say
“This is my passion. Deafblind people are a hard-to-reach group and we are
such a diverse range of individuals - but we should speak with one voice.”
Annette Bodsworth has been a highly effective campaigner for over 20 years.
She was instrumental in developing services for deafblind people in Essex and is a
key player in a number of service user groups that work in partnership with the
council. She also worked closely with Sense to ensure that the government
recognised the needs of deafblind people in the new Care Act.
But as she is the first to say, she is no superwoman. “People see me as very strong,”
she says, “but I’ve also had times when I thought I might crumble.” At different times
she has suffered rejection, trauma and periods of loneliness and anxiety.
She first became involved with Sense when she was finally diagnosed with Usher
syndrome aged 39. These were difficult days, but with Sense’s support, and a lot of
determination on her part, she has gradually grown in confidence. Today she is one
of a network of people with impaired sight and hearing that Sense supports, and
works in partnership with, to campaign for change.
“I believe in keeping a positive attitude,” she says. “There are times when it
becomes very challenging, and we can all become cynical, but I think the wheels are
turning.”
The difference we make:
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Sense helps break down isolation and build confidence in people with acquired
deafblindness, including Usher syndrome - by offering information, support,
events and social activities.
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We work in close partnership with individuals and their families - which is the
most powerful way to lobby local and national government for better services.
2015 highlights
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As a result of Sense campaigning, The Children and Families Act and The Care
Act guidance reflect the needs of deafblind people much more fully.
In order to help people to have a better experiences of health services – including
receiving accessible information - Sense has provided training to NHS staff.
A new adventure – and the chance for a break
“I like to tackle and I like to score. And do everything fast!”
Ten-year-old Tyrese is a bundle of energy. Like many boys his age, he loves his
football: if he’s not kicking a ball around and pretending to be Lionel Messi, he’s
chatting for hours about his favourite teams.
On a Sense Short Break in Derbyshire Tyrese got to play football every day – and try
loads of exciting new things. Supported by Stephen, a trained volunteer, he trekked
through the woods with a lama, cooked a homemade pizza, played pool and much
more.
Each young person on our short breaks is supported to do what they want, at their
own pace. For Tyrese, this is often as fast as possible! “We played football – I was
the captain!” he signs. “We had a Halloween party spooktacular and had races in the
swimming pool - and I won!”
Short breaks give children with sensory impairments like Tyrese the chance to be
part of a group - and make new friends in a safe and fun environment. Meanwhile,
the children’s families can have a much-needed rest and recharge their batteries.
For many, it is their first break from caring.
At the end of the third day, Tyrese was presented with a very special handmade
trophy by Jessica, one of his new friends. Would he go on a short break again? “Oh
yes definitely! It’s exciting! And the people are lovely.”
The difference we make:
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Sense offers a wide range of stimulating holidays and short breaks for
children, adults and older people. They also give families and carers a muchneeded break.
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These holidays, our shops and many other Sense activities, could not happen
without the support of our brilliant volunteers. Last year 1,800 people
contributed more than 485,000 hours of their time to support us.
2015 highlights
 Through increased partnership working with other organisations and local
authorities, we increased our short break provision by 1,000 hours.
 An independent evaluation of Sense’s Short Breaks programme by the
University of Chester provided clear evidence of the benefit of this respite including that 100% of parents said the short break was the most significant
break they get from their caring responsibilities
People power in action
“I like it when people come to you and value your opinion. I am one of the
ambassadors for Sense’s new TouchBase Centre which is opening in 2017”
Joe has always wanted to run his life his way. He has his own flat and chose the
staff he wanted to help him live there. “I like living in my own flat,” he says. “I can do
what I want, when I want.”
He is also supported to follow his interests and take part in all sorts of activities at
Sense and in the local community – everything from chairing a forum for deafblind
people to working part-time in the reception of one of our services. “I enjoy meeting
people, answering the phone calls,” he says, “I like the gossip too!”
Recently he has become one of the ambassadors for Sense’s pioneering TouchBase
project in Birmingham. “We talked to the architects so they could make the right
plans” he says, “and we have got involved with the fundraising.”
TouchBase will be a new state-of-the-art centre which will incorporate Sense
services with a wide range of activities and facilities that reach out to the local
community in the Midlands. “It’s going to have a café, a garden, an arts area and
loads of other things,” says Joe, “I’m really looking forward to it.”
The difference we make:
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Sense offers a range of supported housing, educational and leisure
opportunities that are built around each individual’s needs and preferences.
We work carefully, sensitively and patiently with each individual – learning
how they prefer to communicate, to spend their time and express themselves.
2015 highlights
 TouchBase has been co-designed by Touchbase Champions like Joe. The
plans were finalised last year and we will begin construction at the beginning
of 2016.
 TouchBase will deliver significant social and economic value, contributing
towards the regeneration of the area and creating 130 new jobs, whilst
supporting people with disabilities into full time employment.
Promoting wellbeing through art
“It was a wonderful project. I got the satisfaction of thinking, well, I’m still
good at doing something. And I met people with the same problem as me, so
we could understand one other.”
Since Piera came over from Italy in 1948, she has always had to work hard she
says. And now that her hearing is poor, and her husband is unwell, she still has a lot
to cope with.
The `Material memories’ project helped her to do something just for her. It is one of
the groups Sense runs to encourage people to express themselves through art and
enjoy a feeling of wellbeing. “In the group we each made something based on our life
story,” she says. “I made pieces about my city Piacenza, where I grew up. I stitched
a map of all the roads I used to walk along when I was a girl.”
It is a sad fact that many older people can become very isolated and lonely when
their sight and hearing deteriorate. Without the right support, their physical and
mental health can decline and staying independent is a real struggle.
The groups that Sense runs, and the services that we offer, aim to to stop this
happening – and to give people the chance to socialise, learn new skills and rebuild
their confidence. “As you get older, its nice to think of the things you did when you
were younger,” says Piera . “I think the project was marvellous, a lovely idea.”
The difference we make:
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Sense runs a range of early intervention projects such as befriending and social
prescribing where people of all ages can enjoy a shared interest, socialise and
support one another with the challenges they face.
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Sense Communicator Guides help people to keep, or extend, their
independence. They offer guiding, communication support and practical help –
for example, by helping individuals to visit the doctors.
2015 highlights
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A sound installation involving 60 young people with sensory impairments was
exhibited thanks to support from a Touring Grant awarded by the Arts Council.
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We held two art exhibitions of work by deafblind artists in Lincoln and Exeter,
an exhibition of a sensory photography project, and a museum ‘takeover’ day in
Lincolnshire that showcased poetry, storytelling, drama, music, craft and
photography.
Thanks a million!
We are hugely grateful to the individuals, groups and organisations that raised
over £9.4 million for Sense last year. Their generosity, loyalty and innovation
allow us to continue offering vital services for people with sight and hearing
impairments.
Going the extra mile
Once again, Sense supporters pushed themselves to the limit:
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Over 400 runners pounded the streets in the Virgin Money London Marathon
to raise £830,000 - with special mention going to the Huddersfield Marathon
Band who raised £68,000 and achieved the `Fastest Marathon by a Marching
Band’ Guinness World Record.
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Over 200 plucky people tied on their walking boots to raise nearly £100,000 in
the 2014 RidgeWalk.
Coming together
We have been delighted to work in partnership with our generous supporters this
year:
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Thanks to the generosity of the City Bridge Trust, SFIA Educational Trust and
the Department for Education we were able to create and publish best practice
models for young people making the challenging transition into adulthood.
 Sense and NEC got in the swing of things to raise a splendid £13,782 at our golf
day at the renowned Buckinghamshire Golf club – with many leading
representatives from the AV industry taking to the greens.
Special friends
We were honoured to join forces with The Foresters Friendly Society in a charity
partnership. Huge thanks to the High Chief Ranger, David Watkins and each and
every every one who has tirelessly fundraised and supported Sense throughout the
year.
A special mention to Sport England who are funding DeafblindActive – an innovative
sports programme to support people to overcome the physical, logistical and
psychological barriers to participating in sports – and to get fit and have a lot of fun!
Getting stuck in
90 green fingered volunteers from Procter and Gamble Prestige rolled up their
sleeves to cultivate the allotment beds and extend the orchard area at Touchbase
South East – our state-of-the-art resource centre for people with disabilities in north
London.
“It was a great pleasure and privilege working alongside Sense. As well as the fun of
a day outdoors and the team building activities, we shared a common goal and
vision. We ended the day with the satisfying and inspiring sensation that we had
really made a difference.” Alessandra Morelli, Procter and Gamble Prestige
A fantastic commitment
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27,580 generous people gave regular donations to Sense
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2,394 employees kindly supported us directly through their payroll at work
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134 individuals generously chose to leave a gift in their Will to Sense
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2,315 adventurers took part in a Sense event
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218 community organisations made a vital donation
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258 people chose Sense to remember their loved one with an `in memory’ gift
Major supporters
Our major donors have a significant impact on the lives of deafblind people and
their families
With thanks to
Council of England
Audrey Earle Charitable Trust
Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust Awareness Fund
Baron Davenport’s Charity Trust
BBC Children In Need Appeal
Big Lottery Fund
Brian Wilson Charitable Trust
Cantiacorum Foundation
Centerbridge Foundation (USA)
CHK Charities Ltd
Department for Education
Department of Health
European Union – Grundtvig Programme
Fowler Smith and Jones Trust
G J W Turner Trust
Jesus Hospital Charity
John James Bristol Foundation
Joseph Strong Frazer Trust
King/Cullimore Charitable Trust
Lady Blakenham’s Charity Trust
Mark Garner, Garner Homes
Miss W E Lawrence 1973 CharitableSettlement
Myristica Trust
Payne Gallwey 1989 Charitable Trust
Peter Storrs Trust
Ray of Light Foundation (from Patrick Ryder)
Richard Radcliffe Charitable Trust
Smith Charitable Trust
Sport England
The Ballinger Charitable Trust
The Bartle Family Charitable Trust
The Beatrice Laing Trust
The Blair Foundation
The Boltini Trust
The Camelia Trust
The City Bridge Trust
The Connie & Albert Taylor Charitable Trust
The D&R Lewis Family Charitable Trust
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
The Estate of Helen Eunice Johnson
The Florence Shute Millennium Trust
The Fulmer Charitable Trust
The G M C Trust
The Geoff and Fiona Squire Foundation
The George & EsmeePollitzer Settlement
The Hadley Trust
The Hyde Foundation
The John Pinto Foundation
The Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation
The Lockwood Charitable Foundation
The Maxwell Family Foundation
The Misses C M Pearson & MV Williams
Charitable Trust
The Morton Charitable Trust
The Northwick Trust
The Odin Charitable Trust
The Open Gate Trust
The P F Charitable Trust
The Patrick and Helena Frost Foundation
The Peacock Charitable Trust
The Princess Anne’s Charities Trust
The Regional Development Fund
The Robert Hall Foundation
The Tanner Trust
The Thomas Farr Charity
The Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust
The Thompson Family Charitable Trust
The William Kenneth Hutchings C.T.
To find out how we can recognise your significant gift please contact Helen
Mitchell, Major Donor Manager on 020 7520 0981 or email
helen.mitchell@sense.org.uk
Step right up!
These are still tough times for retailers on the high street but Sense is rising to the
challenge. Our new strategy concentrates on getting the best from all our people – from
volunteers to our management team – and ensuring that we have plenty of Gift Aid donated
stock in our shops and some exciting ranges of specially selected new goods. The results of
this have already been very encouraging.
In a dynamic year we:
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Opened three new shops, with a further eight in the pipeline
Invested in our shop management teams through a series of learning and
development programmes – with a focus on growing a stronger, commercially-aware
team
Launched a pack for volunteers which shows how much we value their contribution,
along with their very own quarterly newsletter
Built stronger links with the deafblind people and the communities we serve especially in Crayford, south London where our main trading warehouse is based.
Our finances
Along with the whole charity sector, Sense faced great financial pressure in 2014/15.
However, our creativity and the skill and effort of all who work with and support us, ensured
we met this challenge well.
The total income for England, Wales and Northern Ireland was £59.9m – an increase of
£0.6m since 2013/14. Fees and statutory grants, our main source of income, increased from
£39.5m last year to £40.6m.
Our fundraised income increased by £0.7m, so a huge thank you to all who gave their time,
effort, commitment and passion to achieve this. Legacy income was again £1.9m and we
are so grateful to those who remembered us in their wills. Overall net fundraising and
legacy income increased from £8.7m to £9.4m.
The net income from our shops fell by £0.1m, but during tough times for the local high street
this was an achievement. Our wonderful team of staff and volunteers in Trading are
improving things all the time, so with your help we expect a bright future.
We spent £43.1m providing services for children, adults and older people, whilst our
investment in campaigning, public awareness and staff development was £2.5m.
Expenditure £m
Adults 39.3
Children 2.4
Older people 1.4
Campaigning, awareness 2.1
Quality improvements 0.5
Fundraising costs 3.7
Shops costs 9.0
Total 58.4
Income
Fees and allowances 40.1
Statutory grants 0.5
Fundraising and legacies 9.4
Shops 9.4
Investment and other 0.5
Total 59.9
The Sense Group
The Sense Group is made up of a number of separate organisations:
 Sense
 Sense Scotland
 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.
Sense Scotland operates in Scotland, and Sense International supports and develops programmes in
Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Peru, Romania, Tanzania and Uganda.
Sense
101 Pentonville Road
London, N1 9LG
Tel: 0300 330 9257
Fax: 0300 330 9251
Text: 0300 330 9252
Email: info@sense.org.uk
www.sense.org.uk
@Sensetweets
Registered charity number 289868
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