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v Winter/Spring 2020–21 Tackling loneliness and isolation among disabled people How to keep active during lockdown Let’s talk about personal care Contents Welcome Winter/Spring 2020–21 In this issue: Values in action 22 Let’s talk about personal care There are three things you will almost certainly notice about On a brighter note, it has been a privilege and a joy this edition of Talking Sense. to be Acting Editor for this combined Winter-Spring For most adults it’s rare for someone to help us with Firstly, I’m not the magazine’s usual editor. Colin 2020-21 edition. It has prompted me to pause and reflect our personal care unless we are unwell or injured, but Anderson, who has edited Talking Sense for many years, on the values that underpin Sense’s work, which you can many people in Sense are supported by staff to carry out has had to take some time off work due to an issue with his read below. I hope you agree, as you read through the their most intimate tasks. Colin Anderson and SJ Butler hands. Thankfully, it’s not serious, but it does mean he has to magazine, that these values are shown in action through investigate personal care and why it matters to get it right. stay away from a keyboard for a while. We’re hoping it won’t the stories, interviews, features, and news about what’s be long before he’s back. In the meantime, he sends his very happening across the Sense family. best wishes to you all. 4 News 27 Tackling loneliness and isolation through art Secondly, this edition is rather late. Unfortunately, the 6 Chief Executive disruption of Covid, together with Colin being away, meant 28 Staying connected we had to delay publication, for which we do apologise. 8 Transition to adulthood through lockdown Thirdly, the Covid restrictions have stopped us being out and about to take photos in our services. So, you may notice Karen Griffiths 10 Sense Awards 30 Left out of Life campaign that some photos in this edition are not as sharp as usual. Acting Editor of Talking Sense 12 Taking action with the 32 Sense people – Hello, The views expressed in Talking Sense Forgotten Families I’m Nigel and Lockdown are not necessarily those of Sense. living snapshots Talking Sense is happy to consider 13 A right to education articles for publication but reserves 34 How to keep active the right to edit material where necessary. 14 Sense International during lockdown Editorial team: Colin Anderson, Our values 17 Sense people - David and 37 ‘Togetherness’ and Fabric Shaanvir Rehal, Karen Griffiths Helen have a close shave of Sound workshop by Design: www.martinlore.co.uk musician Dike Okoh Cover photo: Andrew taking part 18 How has Covid-19 in a pre-lockdown Sense Active affected care at Sense? 38 Sense people -– basketball session. In memory of Volume 67, No 1 Winter/Spring 20 Covid vaccination Rebecca Thomas 2020–21 at Sense ISSN 1367 4604 39 Forging strong Registered charity no. 289868 We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate. 22 Let’s talk about connections We are determined to We bring people We think creatively, We think risk is a part All achievements are Please get in touch if you personal care provide a place where together and make seeing potential and of life to embrace worth celebrating. have news, views or stories everyone belongs. connections. Because possibility. Always and work with, not Those moments you would like to share with readers. Where difference is though we may all finding a way, however avoid. We constantly and milestones - valued, and no one is connect differently, long it takes. challenge ourselves the ordinary and Tel: 0300 330 9383 left out. We take time we are all connected. and the status quo, extraordinary - that Fax: 0300 330 9251 to understand each And by sharing, working hard to make give meaning and Text: 0300 330 9252 other, however we may learning, working and the world a place purpose to life. We [email protected] communicate. And contributing together, for everyone. When notice them and If you would like Talking Sense in we involve each other, we can achieve so things go wrong, we’re celebrate. Inspiring us an emailed form please email: especially in the things much more. honest, we learn, we to keep going. [email protected] that affect us directly. do better. 2 3 News News Royal ITV News visit Sense Needing Touchbase Pears Time for a clear out? something encouragement RH Princess Anne, people like me. It will help others to new? who has been Patron stand up for their rights and make Hof Sense and Sense themselves heard. I hope all the Visit the Sense International for 30 years, work we have done together, and attended a Sense virtual event to be done in the future, will help ‘new goods’ shop in November to hear how change society’s views. Disability on eBay. disabled people and those should be taken more seriously.” who support them have been Sense Chief Executive Richard affected by lockdown. Kramer said: “We were delighted One of the speakers, sixteen-year- to welcome our patron, HRH old Saihan from Tower Hamlets, Princess Anne, to this virtual shared his lockdown experience. He event, which brought together n December ITV News visited Sense TouchBase is supported by Sense Buddying, our staff, supporters and people IPears in Birmingham to cover the Sense Sign which matches disabled people we support to share their personal School story and the amazing work of 15-year- with volunteers to help tackle social experiences of the Coronavirus old Tyrese Dibba. There were three separate isolation and loneliness in society. pandemic. It’s so important interviews by ITV’s Sam Holder, including one with ou’ll find brand new Now online due to the pandemic, to raise awareness about how Tyrese himself, with an interpreter. Yclothes, shoes, accessories, volunteers meet their buddies disabled children and adults have Sajda Atiq, the day service manager was also books, homewares and toys. virtually to chat and enjoy shared been impacted throughout this interviewed along with school student Eloise All high street names, but at activities together. challenging year, and to recognise Williams who took part in Sense Sign School. significantly discounted prices Saihan said: “This is a very the frontline staff who work Everyone was excited to share the campaign with and everything is posted free challenging time. Sense has a tirelessly to support them.” ITV and Tyrese even taught Sam how to sign his of charge! huge, positive impact on me and The virtual event was also name! So if you want to pick up a other disabled people. I really attended by the Lord Levy, The Festive Special Sense Sign School became bargain and support Sense appreciate this opportunity to President of Sense; Dr Justin the New Year Sense Sign School in January with at the same time, then head share my experiences with HRH Molloy, Chair of Trustees; and our even more people signing up. In fact, since April No need to wait for shops to re-open. You can now over to www.ebay.co.uk/usr/ The Princess Royal. It will show trustees, and representatives of 2020, an amazing 80,000 have started to learn post your donations to Sense for free by sending sense_newgoods how much her support means to Sense staff and supporters. basic British Sign Language with ‘Mr Tyrese’. them from your local Collect+ drop off point. end us your quality clothing, eBay shop. And by adding Gift Aid, you jewellery, vinyl, camera can help us increase the income raised Minister for Disabled People listens to experiences equipment and more. by your donations. S impaired people that support them, about the Decluttering your home and Find out how to post your supporting the charity has never been donations to Sense charity shops at from the Usher upcoming consultation on disability so easy. www.sense.org.uk/support-us/ Service and the benefits. Donate your items to Sense by shop/postal-donations/ employment “I thought it was brilliant to have a post, by sending them from your local Share this great news with friends support group at Member of Parliament speaking to Collect+ drop off point. With over 8,000 and family. Sense Touchbase us directly and listening to us and the sites across the UK, there’s bound to be Pears shared their problems we have faced,” said one of one close to you. If you have any questions, please n January, individuals supported experiences of the welfare, benefits and the attendees. Your generous donations will then email the Sense Trading team at Iby Sense met with the Minister for employment support systems. Sense is continuing to raise these be distributed across our charity shops, [email protected] Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, and The online meeting was part of important issues with the government with high value donations added to our officials from the Department for Work the Government’s engagement with and will prepare a submission for the and Pensions. Deafblind and visually disabled people and the organisations consultation when it is published. 4 5 Chief Executive Chief Executive Turning Reflections on the past policy into year and the future action he challenges facing the country remain immense. The last period has been particularly Working above and Below the radar, but no less As we updated you in challenging, but it has taught us so important, means directing energies the summer edition of In the first seven months of the pandemic, we below the radar much and there are many things To influence change, we need to be in cultivating relationships with people Talking Sense, we’ve been were in crisis mode.