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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. We acted quickly to stabilise to be thankful for. At all times, our operating above and below the radar. nearer the levers of power, such as working hard on ensuring T overwhelming priority is to ensure that MPs, Ministers and civil servants. Sense that government policy Sense. We embraced new ways of working and new virtual the individuals we support remain safe has been able to secure better access takes into account the ways of delivering some of our face- to- face services. We Above the radar means focussing and are supported. on public challenge, campaigning and real dialogue with government needs of people with redeployed some of our operations staff to fully protect The daily resilience, ingenuity, and and media pressure, and the departments over the last twelve complex disabilities, and our housing services. We closed and reopened our shops. innovation of everyone at Sense encouragement of people power to months. We have been listened to their families. coupled with the compassion and and have brought about real change We have: We interpreted new guidance. We scrambled to mobilise bring about change. determination of our front-line We’ve launched high profile through our policy and campaigning • Continued to work on responses and deal with things we never contemplated. colleagues to keep the people we campaigns to raise awareness and get work, some examples of which are important issues such as support safe is truly remarkable. more people behind our cause. given in ‘Turning policy into action’. accessibility of government We were absolutely determined We have even grown our services, • Sense Sign School was dynamic, information about the virus, to continue to be there for welcoming Loughborough College, fun, engaging and ambitious. Looking ahead with hope face covering exemptions, those of you who we support as formerly run by RNIB, to the Sense Together, the first edition and Festive Whilst the roll out of vaccinations gives shielding guidance and more. individuals and families living family. Special, saw more than 80,000 us fresh hope, uncertainty will continue • Made sure our services with complex disabilities. We are humbled by the exceptional people signing up to learn some basic to be a part of our lives for some time have the right information Over the summer, the loyalty and generosity of our supporters British Sign Language. to come. and access to the testing, country thought there was real who are such an important part of the • Forgotten Families highlighted Sense has made many changes in the equipment and support they light at the end of the tunnel. Sense family. Without this support, we the impact of the lack of community- last weeks and months. We are doing need to keep people safe. We were on top of things. would not have been able to continue based support for families caring at this because we know the organisation • Contributed to things such We re-opened our shops. our services in the way that we have. home due to Covid-19. is going to have to emerge very as the vaccination Individuals were coming back • Left out of Life, our latest differently from this crisis. prioritisation policy. to our community services. campaign, is now live. It highlights We need to prepare now how we As we move forwards out But then infections rose again. The the impact of social exclusion and tackle the challenges of today and of the pandemic, we’re now country experienced a collective loneliness on disabled people, and tomorrow. We know that 2021 will be looking ahead at how we trauma. We had to close our shops to push for change on all levels, while even harder than 2020. I also believe can continue the dialogue again as we entered another lockdown. offering the public advice on how that change and innovation can with decision makers and to they can do their bit to make society follow periods of crisis like this as we influence policy. more inclusive. collectively start to rebuild for the future.

Richard Kramer CEO of Sense and Sense International

6 7 TransitionNews to adulthood Transition to adulthood

made harder by the fact the country was in a complete lockdown. We were coming up against barriers left and right but thankfully, we had a team of people looking out for Geordie’s best interests. Working with the school and A lockdown transition Sense, we manage to overturn the Local Authority’s decision and get Geordie a place at Sense College, Birmingham. Keith Butler shares his experience of his nineteen-year-old son, Geordie, moving from Talking to anyone about school to college during lockdown. funding was hard and only Credit: Glen Gratton, Media 8 / made harder by the fact the Katie Price, Instagram country was in a complete lockdown. Katie Price and A mother’s Harvey’s transition thoughts on ‘Harvey The transition was going really well and Me’ too. The school had agreed to open up ense voiced its support for the ‘Harvey and me’ over the summer so that Geordie could S lso, well worth a read is documentary and highlighted spend some time in a place that he teacher, author and Sense how families with disabled A was familiar with and then spend a bit supporter Charlie Beswick’s children across the country of time at Sense. This worked wonders blog which she wrote after are facing the same questions to get him acclimatised to his new watching ‘Harvey and Me’. surrounding and help him understand and challenges. “I watched with a vested interest. Sense Chief Executive Richard what was happening. When the My own son Harry is also severely Kramer’s comment about the transition happened, Geordie left home autistic and while he turns 16 this excited for the new challenges that documentary was featured ike many, my son, Geordie, Geordie was born with CHARGE of his BAHA and his school. Attending year, he functions around 4 years awaited him. in a national BBC piece: “The and I entered the lockdown syndrome, a rare genetic disease school has been so important for old. I know that I’ll be faced all too My partner and I are proud parents to programme was incredible which affects many areas of the body Geordie’s educational and social soon with many of the decisions in early 2020 with so because as well as highlighting L our children, and we do have our family that Katie has right now. I was many uncertainties. One of including hearing and vision. He’s got development. Learning how to traditions. On the first day of each the issues that parents of children the most urgent being, what a degree of learning difficulty, which is communicate has helped Geordie keen to see how it all unfolded. school year, each child gets their photo with complex disabilities face, would happen to Geordie after compounded, of course, by the lack of express himself and reduce those What struck me the most was, taken at the front door. It is wonderful it also showed its joyous and he leaves school at the start of hearing and the loss of sight. Two years feelings of isolation. That’s why it was despite our differences in location, to look back and see how much they rewarding moments. Harvey is the summer. Transitioning from ago, Geordie, was fitted with a Bone so important for Geordie to continue lifestyle, finances and general life have grown. It astounds me how much a star, and the incredible bond one place to another is always Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) which his education. circumstances, so much of what Geordie has developed, especially in between him and Katie is clear”. stressful, but with the lockdown was incredible for the whole family. Finding a new college for Geordie was she did, said and felt resonated the past couple of years. I am so excited Harvey has Prader-Willi holding everything up, it seemed It’s an amazing bit of kit, they the easy part but getting him in and massively with me and no doubt, to see what the future holds because syndrome, is autistic, partially impossible. attach like a stainless steel pin to it, or acclimatised proved more challenging. other parents in similar situations.” I know at Sense College, the sky’s the blind, and has a series of learning a titanium pin to the head, and then Geordie’s school were familiar with You can read her blog on limit! and behavioural difficulties. The they put this hearing aid on and lo and Sense and knew that it was a place Our altered life.com. documentary is a deeply personal behold, he can hear sounds. He was where he could thrive. Having made the www.ouralteredlife.com/ film following Katie Price and her Transitioning from one gobsmacked because when he had it initial introductions, the school worked katie-price-harvey-and-me-a- disabled son Harvey in a crucial place to another is always turned on, I was stood behind him, they with Sense College, Birmingham to mothers-thoughts/ I am so excited to see what year of his life, as he turns 18 and said, do you want to say something, provide Geordie with time to transition stressful, but with the the future holds because I becomes an adult. and he just turned around. between the two places. lockdown holding everything You can watch ‘Harvey and Me’ Geordie has been without hearing Behind the scenes, things were know at Sense College, the on BBC iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/ up, it seemed impossible. for 17 years and he’s been making getting difficult. Talking to anyone sky’s the limit! iplayer/episode/m000rpv6/ remarkable strides with the support about funding was hard and only katie-price-harvey-and-me

8 9 Sense Awards Sense Awards

Person of the Year Family Carer of the Year Individual Fundraiser of the Year Parliamentarian of the Year Daniel Patrick Sam Rudge Joint winners: Vicky Foxcroft MP Sense Claire Reece, Leigh Allen Vicky Foxcroft MP has been Daniel who is deafblind Sam is a full-time carer for a strong voice for change moved out of a supported her 12-year-old daughter Claire Reece, whose son in Parliament. She has Awards living service and now Olivia who has complex Hugo has complex needs consistently and clearly lives independently in disabilities. Olivia struggles and is supported by Sense, championed the needs of disabled South London. Daniel volunteers at to sleep at night, meaning Sam ran the virtual London people and the inequalities they face, 2020 Stepney City Farm in London, where he regularly can only get a few hours rest Marathon, raising thousands for Sense. particularly during the pandemic. taught the Deafblind Manual Alphabet at night. Sam never gives up on trying to other staff and volunteers. to do the best for Olivia, looking for Leigh Allen also won the oming towards the end of a hugely ways to keep her daughter stimulated award for his dedication to Journalism of the Year Shortlisted: Janet Grant, Adam Harris Sense by running the virtual and happy. Joint winners: challenging year, it was a joy to be London Marathon. His Ayshah Tull (Channel 4 News), Shortlisted: Mark Ward, Sandy fundraising efforts included running on able to celebrate the annual Sense Young Person of the Year Peter Lane (Channel 5 News) C Bowcock, Martin Harris a treadmill in a onesie on his local Awards on social media in December. Tyrese Dibba high street. Ayshah’s reporting on the failure Though sad the event couldn’t take place in of Covid testing in supported living 15-year-old Tyrese Dibba Volunteer of the Year Shortlisted: Jasper and Phoebe accommodation helped raise person this year, there has never been a more is the star of Sense Sign Maria Atanasoaei Laidlaw, Nirmal Kalsi awareness of the issue and put pressure important time to recognise the achievements School which got over on the government to improve the 55,000 people learning BSL. of people living with complex disabilities, Team Fundraiser of the Year situation. People’s favourite part of the lessons is including those who are deafblind, as well as enthusiastic teacher Tyrese who is deaf Jan and Philip Hulme of the Peter’s work on Sense’s family members, carers, our staff, volunteers and partially sighted. Hadley Trust #ForgottenFamilies campaign resulted Maria Atanasoaei, 24 from London, Jan and Philip Hulme of The Hadley in over one million people hearing and supporters. Shortlisted: Asha Patwal, Chloe Leach, has been volunteering for more than about Faith and her mum Jane’s Shannon O’Neill, Dafydd Evans Trust have been supporting Sense for We salute the Sense Award 2020 winners a year-and-a-half as a buddy for over 22 years raising over £370,000 experience of being a full-time carer – and everyone who was shortlisted or Saihan Islam. Maria has helped Saihan for the charity. This has funded things during lockdown. Young Sibling of the Year build his confidence, social skills and such as the family centre and sensory nominated. Thank you for making a difference Shortlisted: Eve Simmons Joint winners: independent decision-making. garden at Sense TouchBase South East (Mail on Sunday) to the world in so many ways. Zach Filler, Ayushi Devkar in Barnet as well supporting Sense at Shortlisted: Tony Martin, Bob Brown the start of the pandemic. 9-year-old Zachary Filler Ambassador of the Year has won the award for the Campaigner of the Year Rebecca Front patience, understanding Collaboration of the Year Saeed Ahmed Rebecca Front has been an and personal sacrifices he Inclusive Ping Pong Ltd invaluable ambassador for has made to support his family and Saeed, who is a carer for Throughout the pandemic, company Sense, presenting Sense’s younger brother Luca who has complex his son Azhar supported director Shaun has created video BBC Lifeline appeal that disabilities. the #ForgottenFamilies sessions for our Sense YouTube channel, raised an incredible amount for Sense campaign by presenting Ayushi Devkar supported teaching Table Tennis with fun games and the families we support. our open letter to the Government. her parents with the care of and challenges. He also prepared 40 By sharing his story he highlighted her twin brother Om, who ‘Sense Connect’ table tennis packs the impact of the lack of support for is visually impaired and has which were sent out to our buddying families caring for disabled adults complex disabilities. Ayushi has shown and children’s services. during lockdown. incredible understanding in her care for Shortlisted: ASUK Clinics her brother during the pandemic. Shortlisted: Karolina Pakenaite, Jane Tasker, Lynn Stewart-Taylor Shortlisted: Isabelle Thompson, Visit www.sense.org.uk/sense-awards to read the Zoe Bedford shortlist and winners of all the Sense Award categories.

10 11 Policy and public affairs Policy and public affairs

George and his family’s story A right to education Lynne and her family have been supporting their during Covid-19? 24-year-old son George. He has complex disabilities, including not being able to chool closures and remote Here are some of the things we’ve done Taking action with the speak and requiring a feeding learning have been tough to make sure you’re not forgotten: tube. He lives at home, Sfor the children and families and before the pandemic, Sense supports. Many children • Met with the Department for Forgotten Families attended a specialist centre couldn’t return to school when Education, MPs and others to every day and received in- they reopened because of health highlight the issues children and home support. and safety concerns. Children families face, and to propose When lockdown happened, with complex disabilities couldn’t changes. n 2020 life changed for all of Families feel abandoned The pandemic the centre closed, and the always access remote learning or • Led a coalition of charities to write a us, but especially for many of We asked a thousand people in the forced almost carer could no longer visit. the work that teachers sent home. joint letter to the Secretary of State Iyou who are disabled adults same situation as you about how their Lynne was left to take on for Education about our concerns and family carers. You faced not lives were affected by the pandemic. two-thirds of families all caring responsibilities. about a piece of law which was only the lockdown restrictions, but 62% of families told us that they to take on more caring Her husband, Nigel, took making accessing education, health also suddenly lost vital community had taken on additional caring responsibilities temporary leave from work to and care even more challenging – we support services. responsibilities during the pandemic. support, while also caring for were delighted when it was dropped. Your day services, one-to-one support And 75% had no information or letter to the Secretary of State for elderly parents. • Submitted extensive evidence and in the community, respite and specialist warning that support was about to be Social Care, Matt Hancock. We asked “All of a sudden, George’s family experiences to a number of medical support at home disappeared withdrawn. the government to recognise that your health and wellbeing government inquiries on education or shrank. With schools closed, support services had vanished, and to started to deteriorate. He issues during the pandemic - we were education was out of reach to many of #ForgottenFamilies reintroduce the community services was showing signs of major School is more than invited to present to a group of MPs you. Often the closures happened with campaign launched you rely on. It was signed by over 1000 anxiety and became very education on the key issues as a result. no warning. We launched our #ForgottenFamilies members of the public, and we shared it withdrawn.” And school isn’t just about education. • Updating MPs and Lords on key And when the first lockdown lifted, campaign in August, determined to all over our social media channels. “It feels like families like Lots of children receive specialist education issues that affect you and families told us that you felt forgotten. make sure that your voices were heard. ours, those caring for disabled therapies at school like speech and supporting them to raise these in Services you depend on stayed closed. We made sure the government fully Is the government adults, have been forgotten language therapy or physiotherapy. parliament. No one talked to you about how you understood how the pandemic is listening? during the pandemic… They also often have specialist could find support. There was no advice affecting you. We’ve seen some progress. The We don’t even seem to be equipment like communication devices to your service providers about how Government launched its Adult Social recognised by government.” or posture aids which remain at school. Tell us your experiences they could start up again and keep safe. Care Winter Plan and it includes a For these children, schools being closed If you and your family have In fact, there was silence. It felt like number of recommendations we called has presented a much bigger barrier experiences you would like to share, Government information, policies and for. than ‘just’ not being able to access we’d love to hear from you. Your guidance quite simply ignored you. Taking Forgotten Families We know that the pandemic isn’t over education. stories and expertise in the ways this to Parliament yet, and the impact of Covid-19 on pandemic is affecting people with The best way for the government to your lives is bigger than many realise or Speaking up for complex needs and their families understand is for them to hear your acknowledge. your children are powerful. When we bring your experiences directly. In October we Families and our own specialists have stories to the government, they can brought together online a group of told us about the biggest challenges make a real difference. families with MPs and Lords - and the you face. We’re using what you tell us to families made a powerful case. influence the government as it makes Get in touch with our Stories Advisor: In November we delivered an open decisions about education during the [email protected] pandemic.

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Sense International Sense International

John’s story: Sue’s story: “John is the “My heart will light of this family” always be with Sense

ohn is a small-scale farmer in International” Kenya who started out in 2013 J fter over 30 years as a trustee of with one Friesian cow. By January Sense International, Sue Turner is 2020 John and his family had three A stepping down. She has been a parent cows and a fast-growing poultry supported by Sense since 1988 and in business. Everything looked rosy, and 1998 she travelled to India to share her John had grown his flock from 60 to experiences at the first international Sense International: 250 chickens ready to sell. But when conference on deafblindness. Covid-19 struck, the hotels that were “I had such an amazing time. The meeting the challenge John’s main market closed. Mwanaasha’s story: whole experience was so interesting John has deafblindness and Sense because I had never been to India and, International supported him through “We are able, and we despite there being so few services for his education and training in animal of Covid-19 deafblind people, everyone had so husbandry. His first cow was part of a can take care of ourselves” much hope. We would go out to visit Sense International-funded business wanaasha is an that people see Mwanaasha families and the whole village would startup project, and he and his mother hen Covid-19 struck the world, Sense entrepreneur with and other disabled people want to talk to us. It was the opposite built up their poultry business with M International and the people we work with faced exciting plans for the locally. “This project has to the UK where I had gone through the support of Sense International’s huge challenges. It was hard for some people we future. “I would like to be made us recognised in our periods of being isolated because of how the W InBusiness project. support to stay safe. Many lost their incomes. Thankfully, a big businesswoman with community and proved that public reacted to my family. When the pandemic closed John’s because we work locally in partnership with families, deafblindness,” she says. we are able, and we can stand “During my time as a trustee for Sense markets, his mentor from Sense organisations and professionals, we knew quickly what Mwanaasha is 30 years alone, that we can take care International I have gone to some amazing International identified a new market people needed to stay safe and continue their learning, old and lives in Tanzania, of ourselves and our families, places and spoken to so many wonderful for his chickens over the border in training and businesses. and she has never let her and we can contribute to our people. My visit to Uganda really highlighted Uganda. Though it cost the family more But by March our country teams had to stop home visits to disabilities define her. Though communities.” the importance of not just supporting in transporting their poultry, the income children with deafblindness, cancel or postpone events, stop Mwanaasha was bright, at The business is thriving and deafblind people but supporting and paid for household necessities. advocacy meetings, and re-think, re-plan and re-budget. mainstream school none Mwanaasha plans to employ educating families. John’s mother says, “My journey with Working with our partners, our teams showed how resilient and of her teachers or fellow other young people with “I wanted to get involved with Sense Sense International is one of a lifetime. adaptable they are, keeping programmes going online, staying students could use sign deafblindness and to invest International because I could see the My son John is the light of this family. in close contact with families by phone, and making sure no one language so she decided to in machinery to increase similarities in the discrimination that I had We eat because of him. We sleep in a was left without support. We delivered emergency food and leave. production. faced. Its work has changed the lives of nice house because of him. He is our hygiene packages to 1,761 families to help them care for a child Mwanaasha’s family During the Covid-19 people around the world, and Sense has made everything. When John was young, people with deafblindness. We connected people with local support needed income so she pandemic, soap-making has an incredible difference to me and my family. used to look down on me because of his schemes. We made sure governments knew to include people with learned to make soap. Sense been an excellent business I am leaving Sense International as a trustee disability, yet now John is respected in the deafblindness in their national responses. International provided to be involved in. Initially but my heart will always be there and I am community.” It has been a tough year, but families, partners and our teams glasses to improve her Mwanaasha and her family excited to see how we grow in the future.” have found practical and positive ways to keep safe and keep Sense International and our partners eyesight, capital to start her were isolating at home and learning, training and working. We’re very proud of everyone we are keeping John and his family well business, and training in had no income, but once they work with. informed about Covid-19 and providing entrepreneurship. could buy materials again, protective wear so they can continue “Without the help of Sense they were back in business. building their business and stay safe. International,” she says, “my Soap was in demand and life would be in a terrible Mwanaasha has made condition. It has changed my enough profit to share with life.” Not only has the business her family and set some aside provided Mwanaasha and her for her future plans. family with an income, but it has transformed the way 14 15 Sense International Focus on SenseSense PeopleCymru

ChanceToShine-PRINT-v3-HR.pdf 3 20/11/2019 11:42

Give a child like Sospeter a #ChanceToShine A close shave

ot one, but two on Smorrall Lane in town with his develop her confidence in showing people have each family there to support him. off her implant. Children with deafblindness in N David has been supporting the She said: “I felt confident about raised more than charity for years and was motivated the head shave. The challenge for Kenya have a Chance To Shine £1,000 by having a very to do the festive fundraising me is having my Cochlear Implant close shave. challenge after learning more on show.” The Chance To Shine project is establishing Without ense International’s Chance To Shine December saw David Ashdown, about the disproportional impact Helen began to slowly lose her sight and hearing test units at health facilities Sappeal earlier this year raised a an HGV driver from Bedworth the pandemic has had on disabled hearing sixteen years ago and support, these in the rural counties of Kwale and Garissa wonderful £813,365, including £383,794 shaving off his Santa beard and hair. people and their families. was fitted with a bone-anchoring where children with deafblindness rarely get children would of match funding by the UK government. David had been growing his David said: “I wanted to put hearing aid, called a Cochlear the support they need. Without support, these Thank you to everyone who gave! beard and hair since last March with a smile on everyone’s faces for Implant, after several operations. face a lifetime Match funding will fund sight and hearing children would face a lifetime of isolation, the plan to shave it off just before Christmas after what has been a Over the years she has of isolation, tests for 55,000 children in rural Kenya struggling with mobility and communication. Christmas to raise money for Sense. dismal year. I’ve had great support experienced times of isolation and provide vital support to children with Alison Marshall, Director of Sense struggling with He has been named by his friends from Lanes Fishing Tackle and other and feelings of vulnerability which deafblindness in their early years. International, said: “We would like to say a and family as Bedworth’s town’s anglers and really want to raise resulted in her often hiding her mobility and Over the first three months of the year, huge thank you to each and every supporter very own Santa Claus. as much as possible for this Cochlear Implant which is visible on when Covid-19 was only slowly starting to for getting involved in the Chance To Shine communication. David is an avid fisher and well amazing charity.” the side of her head. register, our generous supporters were busy appeal. While the last month of the appeal known in the local community. He In January, Helen Jones shaved Lockdown and hearing other fundraising but as the pandemic took hold, didn’t go as planned due to the Covid-19 has received support from Lanes her head. She was inspired to take on disabled people’s experiences of we sadly had to cancel events such as our pandemic, we’ve been overwhelmed by the Fishing Tackle shop and fellow the challenge for Sense because of isolation inspired her to take on this Chance To Shine ball at the Savoy, and our fantastic response. Within the first year of fishers in the area. The big shave her own experience with hearing loss challenge and fundraise to support parliamentary event in Westminster. the programme we expect to have tested the was held following social distancing and as a Cochlear Implant wearer. the work of Sense. However, that didn’t stop this appeal sight and hearing of over 13,000 children in guidelines at Max Cuts Barbers She says the challenge was to becoming the most successful in Sense rural Kenya, and supported children identified International’s history. with deafblindness. We look forward to telling Thanks to our supporters, we launched our you more about how the funds are being used Chance To Shine project in Kenya in October. over the course of the three-year project.” Now we are able to help children like Bravin For more information about the and Sospeter who you might remember from Chance To Shine appeal, visit: our appeal. Both are now five years old, with www.senseinternational.org.uk/ Play our Weekly Lottery Bravin learning to walk independently with chance-to-shine Play the Sense Weekly Lottery for a chance to win £25,000! the help of a walking frame and enrolled in an inclusive school thanks to Sense Our weekly lottery is a great way to allocated a six-digit lottery number, International’s work. Sospeter has been support Sense’s vital work with children which will remain yours for as long as you fitted with a hearing aid which has improved and adults who are deafblind, or have wish to keep playing. Every Friday, the hearing in his left ear and his mother is complex disabilities, whilst giving you a lucky winners are selected at random. noticing that he’s listening to sounds and chance to win weekly cash prizes. For more information and to join visit trying to imitate them. For just £1 per week you will be www.sense.org.uk/lottery

16 17 Impact of Covid-19 Impact of Covid-19

Colin: How did people adapt to new routines? is such an important part of their year. And, of course, some of those holidays didn’t happen and that was a Jonathan: Structure and predictability are really really hard thing for people to adjust to. So again, we had important. Somebody may go for a massage on a to try and find different ways to maintain that contact. Friday morning, or have a cup of coffee somewhere at a particular time of day, and those things were denied Colin: How have individuals reacted? them for a significant period of time. We’ve still not picked up the massage therapy and Jonathan: We’ve seen new behaviours, and types of very close contact activities. Everything that was behaviours and routines that people hadn’t engaged familiar and that help people to make sense of the with for some time start to re-emerge. They’re all world just disappeared, and that was really difficult. indicators of anxiety as a response to change. We tried to provide alternative opportunities. If it’s not People have felt confined, so relationships that were massage, how can we replicate some of the outcomes once very harmonious and settled in households have from massage in a different way? The support staff had become fractious. And that’s understandable, isn’t it? to think very quickly and be really creative. As people felt confined within their homes, they’ve got How has Covid-19 irritated or frustrated. “We’ve tried as much as possible to In some of our community services, new types of ensure that contact is still there, safeguarding concerns emerged. Sometimes where affected care at Sense? families have been confined, relationships within the but it’s very different to Mum and family home have become difficult. We’ve had some Dad popping into your home” concerns around some self-harming behaviour like picking skin and repetitious behaviours as a response to Colin: How did we help people Colin Anderson asked Jonathan Rebecca: We’ve found that we’ve done a lot of softer anxiety and frustration. understand change? Monk and Rebecca Hodgson how daily activities that people have actually really thrived on. Having said that, it’s been remarkable how resilient Choice has almost increased with Covid in some respects, people have been. That’s a testimony to the resilience the pandemic has affected the way Jonathan: One good example is at our Sense Centre, people are more engaged with the little things because Sense works with people. Jonathan Coleridge Road, Rotherham, where the team did of the individuals and their support networks, but also there isn’t that booked session that people would tremendous work with social stories to help people as to our support staff. They’ve worked so hard. is Sense’s Director of Operational normally go out and do. People really enjoy that routine, the centre was starting to reopen. Social stories are a Programmes and Rebecca is but Covid has also allowed them to try new experiences. visual representation of a scenario – at Coleridge Road Colin: What difference have Sense staff made? We have seen how resilient people can be and how Head of Quality. it was a set of photographs and a story so staff could well the majority have coped. But for some people the talk a person through what to expect. It means the new Jonathan: They’ve been incredible. We’ve had support Colin: What did the people we support find change in routine has been extremely difficult. situation is not something new. It’s not something to be staff that have worked double shifts or extended shifts, hardest when the pandemic began? scared of and they can predict what’s going to happen, just so that they can make sure that they support people Colin: Were people able to see their family? what it’s going to look like. in the best way, minimising the number of handovers and Rebecca: Change generally. Many people struggle They knew before they returned to the centre that the number of staff that are coming in and out of services. with any kind of change. If staff suddenly start wearing Jonathan: We had to make a decision to limit the staff were wearing PPE, that there were handwashing We’ve seen staff in our community services go over PPE, that can be quite frightening or unsettling. We’ve number of people that went into our services and that stations or hand-sanitising areas, that social distancing and above where community or day services have been had a lot of people try and pull masks off. We’ve had to the individuals that we support had contact with. It would be observed so that people would only be in a closed. They’ve visited people at home and done doorstep support people through de-sensitisation projects, so meant that family members were not able to visit people room with one or two other people. visits, they’ve done video and telephone calls to check that people are more used to being touched with gloves or in their homes and people were not necessarily able to people are safe and to provide activities and run sessions. having tests, things like that. And we’ve done a lot of visit their family members. It was a difficult decision. Rebecca: We have been able to say, ‘There’s a nasty bug work to help people to understand what Covid is, and and it’s hurting a lot of people, so I need to wear this for “We’ve had staff who have why we have to follow different rules, though it’s been Rebecca: We’ve tried to problem-solve as much as a bit.’ The difficulties are the timeframes, many of the really put their lives on hold” really difficult. possible, so we’ve done a lot more video calls, telephone people we support need additional time to understand calls, we’ve sent postcards and things like that. We’ve and accept change. We also didn’t know how long In residential services we’ve had staff who really Jonathan: So much of what we do is help people to facilitated meetings in parks, so we’ve tried as much measures would be in place for, we couldn’t say, ‘For one have put their lives on hold, just to make sure that they make sense of the world around them. A mask may be as possible to ensure that that contact is still there, but week, I’m going to wear this mask,’ and do a countdown. minimise the risk of cross-contamination or cross- a barrier to communication. It’s certainly a barrier in it’s very different, isn’t it, to Mum and Dad popping into And, obviously, compounded with that, we’re saying, ‘and, infection. They’ve limited the contact that they’ve had terms of the body language and facial expression that your home and having a cup of tea? actually, Mum and Dad can’t come into your home and with their own family members just to make sure that are so important to the people that we support. We had you can’t do this, and you can’t go to that appointment. they keep the people that we support safe. to up our game in helping people to have information, Jonathan: The holiday period was really hard for many And we’ve had to stop horse riding’. That’s remarkable isn’t it? to have choice and to have control over their lives. people. Summer holidays with parents and with family

18 19 Vaccination news Vaccination news

Lin looks forward Where in, who lives in one of cautious but when she got to the Covid vaccination there’s a Will LSense’s supported living vaccination centre, everything services, has had her first was absolutely fine. Being one at Sense there’s a way vaccination and is now of the first to get vaccinated starting to plan her post that day, the centre was quite “I had my iving through the pandemic has been a hen Will received pandemic life. empty. Rachel, who manages his vaccine vaccination source of stress and anxiety for everyone, W Lin was very active before the Lin’s service, and the staff team, just over a appointment, due to his pandemic, enjoying socialising did an amazing job explaining especially those living in residential homes profound disability and week ago, L with people she lived with, going from other services, some to Lin about the pandemic as it and supporting living services. complex communication for walks and going to the pub. members of staff and their was happening, the vaccine and I would needs, his support team, recommend However, the world has been given hope with the new When the lockdown happened, families. In December, we made its effects. family and GP all discussed Lin and the staff that support a Christmas Cake with plenty Now Lin has been vaccinated, it to all.” vaccines. Having a vaccine not only keeps you safe but whether it was in Will’s her did everything in their power of brandy; one for our house she is eagerly planning her also those you live and work with as studies show it can best interest to go ahead. to keep her safe. This meant and one that was sent to our future. She says: “I have already significantly reduce transmission. Together they decided it isolating and doing different families. We are also spending been in a hot air balloon, and Sense welcomes the recognition by government of social was and the staff team kinds of activities. time on arts and crafts projects now have another hot air care staff and those Sense supports as being a priority for put together a plan of “I really enjoy the themed like making hot air balloons out balloon trip planned. I also like how to communicate this the vaccination rollout and are currently supporting all to parties on a Friday night; my of papier-mâché and displaying swimming so can’t wait to get to Will and to listen to his favourite was the Gary Barlow them.” back to that”. have the opportunity to access the vaccine. feedback. themed one!” she said. “We’ve When Lin got the call for the We have produced easy read information on the vaccine Will’s staff supported had video meetings with people vaccine, she was understandably and shared real experiences to ensure people are as him with his picture communication using his informed as possible to make the choice. doctor/hospital picture The Covid vaccination was also the chosen topic for to explain to Will he was “This is the discussion at the most recent meeting of the Sense User having his vaccination today. first home we Vaccine Day at Park Road in Accrington Will showed no hesitation Reference Group (SURG), which took place online in have been hen two nurses visited the service to The individuals who receive our service at this getting into the van to take February. SURG members, who are all supported by Sense, to where administer the first Covid vaccines to the home were uniquely supported by Sense staff to him for this. When he arrived, W everything people we support, and Sense staff, they were ensure they were comfortable when receiving the had the opportunity to share whether they’d had the Will seemed quite excited was prepared surprised by the documentation that was prepared vaccine, so it caused minimum distress. A couple vaccination, what the experience was like and what they to see different faces and for them, saying: “This is the first home we have of the team also appreciated the support of others enjoyed the social aspect of and ready.” were most looking forward to after lockdown. “I had my been to where everything was prepared and ready.” whilst they had theirs too. vaccination just over a week ago, I would recommend to going to this appointment. During the appointment Will all,” said David Fernandes. “I am looking forward to going sat with the nurse whilst she to the cinema, and the local spoke to him about what was sports centre, I am also looking going to happen. Staff sat forward to volunteering again with him to give reassurance, at the museum.” Will was then given lots of positive feedback and was shown the pictures to go home.

20 21 Focus on Personal care Focus on Personal care

Let’s talk about Personal care is more than a “Dignified care is about doing as much necessary task. It is fundamental and for yourself as possible.” Tips matters deeply. for good quality personal care personal care Donna continues, “Dignified care But personal care is more than a is about doing as much for yourself necessary task. It is fundamental, and as possible and only having just the Always respect people’s Anticipation is important - it the way that we give personal care right amount of support. I think the privacy and dignity. helps people to prepare. Explain matters deeply. Think about how most important thing is that we’re not what you are going to do before you would feel if a hairdresser pulled over-supporting a person or de-skilling Take an active support doing it. For example, you can your hair, or a dentist grabbed your them. It’s important to make sure approach and do things with say, “I’m just going to take off mouth and drilled without warning that they are able to be involved as people, not for them. Don’t take your socks” or you could touch the you. Your hair is brushed, your tooth is much as possible in whatever level of over. Give people the help they person on the foot or give them a filled, but you haven’t been cared for support that they need, they’re still need to do things for themselves as sock as a sign – be consistent in the appropriately or kindly. given opportunities to learn how to, much as possible. signs and language you and your A positive relationship between the for example, hold a sponge, squeeze a colleagues use. individual and the person supporting sponge, rub it on their shoulder, so that Give people opportunities to them demands compassion, empathy, they understand what a sponge is for. learn, make choices and establish Provide a calming or respect, patience and communication. Regardless of someone’s disability, we their own routine. distracting environment during At Sense, the way staff offer personal will support them to retain their dignity personal care, depending on what care is not separate from the way they in all circumstances.” Look for ways to help people the person prefers. Use a space that When did someone else last brush your hair? Help you eat your help people to learn a new skill, to Like all Sense managers, Donna learn to care for themselves. Small is not cluttered or used for other breakfast? Use the toilet? Were they kind, gentle and patient? How spend time with friends, to enjoy their works with her staff to make sure steps work best. Often it’s most activities. You could put music on did you feel about the way they helped you? For most adults it’s rare favourite activity. Sense staff bring all that everyone in the team is not only effective to start at the end of a task – does the person have a favourite for someone to help us with our personal care unless we are unwell or their skills, knowledge and experience fully trained in the practicalities of and work back – pulling up trousers song for this part of their day? injured, but many people in Sense are supported by staff to carry out to personal care just as they do to every personal care, but also understands after using the toilet, for example. their most intimate tasks. Colin Anderson and SJ Butler investigate other part of someone’s life. the importance of dignity and respect. Ensure that the room is warm personal care and why it matters to get it right. Jonathan Monk, Director of Her staff work as a team, sharing Take time to observe listen and enough before you go in. Operational Programmes, says, “Our insights, ideas and observations in their understand. This is an opportunity philosophy of care is about dignity and meetings so that each person receives here are all kinds of personal to change their incontinence pads; to see how someone is feeling. Are Keep the door closed. Anyone respect. You have to be sensitive, you consistent support from everyone. care. Some is intimate and giving medication and other medical they well? Are they more anxious who wants to come in must knock have to be kind, you have to be caring. This doesn’t mean that staff must some is less so and it happens interventions; helping someone than usual? Are there any injuries and wait for an answer, but ideally T But you also have to be enabling. That’s follow a set routine every day, although you can’t explain? no one else should come in or leave every day, mostly out of sight. It is often to manage and understand their the balance people have to strike.” routine is important for many of the undervalued by those who don’t give or menstruation cycle or menopause; during personal care. people Sense supports. Instead, they receive it, but it keeps people safe and giving them opportunities to choose Be consistent in the way you observe and respond to the individual well. More than this, when done well it their food and drink, to eat and drink it, communicate. Greet the person Retain dignity at all times and Personal care is an important time for they are supporting. If someone is built on trust and understanding and and sometimes to use a tube feed. before you start. Use speech or keep people covered appropriately building trust. who usually loves to shower before can build close relationships in people’s We may offer personal care within touch, and give them time. Avoid whenever you can. It is not dignified breakfast refuses to go in the shower lives. our own families, but in this article, suddenly moving towards the to sit naked on the toilet so help In Sense, offering someone support room, no one will insist they do so then. What do we mean by personal we’re looking at the personal care that person. people to stay covered, if possible. with personal care is an important Instead, staff will look for a reason: care? The most common tasks include professional support staff provide to time for building trust between the is the room too cold, or noisy? Is the helping someone to get up, choose people within their homes, in college, in Build trust over time. Giving individual and their carer, for forging a person in pain, or upset by something? their clothes and dress; helping day centres and in the community. good personal care means building relationship, and for developing skills. We all have days when we just want someone to wash, bath, shower, shave, Personal care is the stuff of life. It is a relationship where both of you Donna Johnstone, Manager of Holly to curl up on the sofa. The individuals groom and care for their hair; helping part of all our days, even if we rarely are confident about what you are House, a new Sense supported living Sense supports are no different – and someone to move around, maybe think about it. For the people supported doing. scheme, says, “A person who’s receiving moments of personal care can be really using a hoist; helping someone to use by Sense it may be an ordinary part of personal care is in such a vulnerable valuable in seeing how someone is the toilet and making sure they are their days – something routine that has position. And there’s a lot of trust feeling each day. clean and comfortable afterwards. to happen so that they can stay well and involved.” Giving personal care is about far more It could mean helping someone get on with the activities they enjoy.

22 23 Focus on Personal care Focus on Personal care

Deafblind Manual for communication, One team came up with the idea of Paul touch is absolutely critical to know sewing different shaped buttons into what’s coming next or taking control the labels – a matching pair of buttons More tips Paul recently moved into Sense’s and clothes but I like going to the of what’s coming next. Touch is really meant that the shirt and trousers went new supported living scheme toilet on my own. significant.” He goes on, “The most together and she could choose for for good quality personal care at Holly House. Holly House’s Donna: Are you ok about it? Is it important thing is that touch is always herself. manager, Donna Johnston, embarrassing? What makes it better? appropriate and that it’s always What do you do when every time you Encourage the person to Encourage independence by asked him what he thinks about Paul: No not embarrassed. I am ok. I respectful.” try to change someone’s pad, they grab choose their own clothes and allow supporting the person to ask to use personal care. like staff help. your hair? Staff made it a fun activity: them time to process and make a the toilet, maybe using a sign, a Donna: What are the things you don’t they had a box of silly hats ready, and choice. Encourage clothes that are gesture, a symbol or a buzzer if they Donna: What things do you need like? Giving personal care is highly asked the person to choose one before easy to put on and take off, helping do not speak. help with? Paul: I don’t like washing my hair or skilled work. It needs compassion, they changed the pad. It worked – a the person to build independence. Paul: Toothpaste onto toothbrush. getting water in my eyes. understanding and patience. sense of humour can make a big Be creative. Try to make Help with washing and dressing Donna: How do you like staff to help difference. uses a hoist, all personal care fun or a pleasure for clothes right way and help with socks you with personal care? Giving personal care to this standard Silly hats can help, but we asked some If the person staff who use the hoist should be the person. Sing with them, maybe, and shoes. Paul: I like staff to help me with is highly skilled work. It needs of Sense’s most experienced people hoisted themselves as part of their or let the person choose which hat Donna: What do you like to do things I find difficult. I do a lot more compassion, understanding and to tell us what’s most important for induction so that they know how you’ll wear while helping them or for yourself? here and the skin on my face and patience. It is complex work requiring good personal care. What emerged unpleasant and frightening it can find three different scented soaps Paul: Everything with some support. finger is better. training, experience and the willingness was that good care needs observation, be due to the sudden loss of control. and ask them to choose. Donna: Do you like to do things for to observe, learn and find new ways insight and thought, paired with a yourself as much as possible? Donna adds that since moving to support an individual with complex commitment to valuing everyone’s Reinforce to staff that those Be patient and never rush Paul: Yes. to Holly House, Paul needs much communication needs. Many staff dignity and privacy. who use a hoist may have had bad personal care. Give the person time Donna: How do you feel about less assistance and appreciates are incredibly creative, coming up experiences that can result in them to process what is happening. It’s someone helping you with personal staff’s enthusiasm when he does with ideas to help someone cope with feeling anxious and upset. the interaction between you that’s things – for example, putting on your things for himself. He now does most anxiety, learn a skill, or simply to accept “Good care is often about the little important. clothes, helping you have a shower, things himself, with help with small that washing is important every day. things, being creative and paying have a chair going to the toilet? things that his visual impairment It is very important to promote attention and noticing.” Where possible available in the bathroom for Give lots of positive Paul: I don’t mind. Help with shower make difficult. people’s independence by offering just the right amount of support. How do Donna commented, “It’s the little the person to sit. Avoid using the encouragement. The more specific you help someone with no vision at all things, being creative and paying toilet as a seat as this can often be the better as it shows genuine to choose her own clothes each day? attention and noticing. Success is often undignified and cause confusion. attention. “You look fantastic” is than building a detailed care plan and communicating. Touch is also an down to subtle little bits of practice.” great, but “I like your red jumper, sticking to it. Rebecca Hodgson, Head integral part of giving personal care. Jonathan agreed: “We place a lot of If possible, give the person it really suits you” will have more of Quality at Sense, says, “You need to So for people in Sense, personal care emphasis on gathering information, the option of who will support them impact. know the person well. You know yourself brings and enhances communication understanding what works and what with personal care. that if you’re a bit poorly you might not and contact with other people. It may doesn’t work for that person. We It is important to maintain want to do your morning routine at the be the most important way for people ask what is the best way to provide New staff should be dignity throughout personal normal time. You might want to do it to understand that they are respected, this particular support in the most supported to learn about best care. This includes any necessary a bit later or you might want to have a that they have independence and acceptable way to that individual? It support from experienced discussions with support staff or bath and stay in the bath for an hour. control, and that those around them can be in small steps. The person might colleagues in the most dignified family so ensure that you talk about We support our staff to have that kind care about them. be very resistant and anxious, and we way for each person. Poor practice personal information discreetly. of understanding and thought process have to use a lot of trial and error to must be tackled, and dignity in care so that people have control and choice understand the right way to make it is everyone’s responsibility. and know that we respect that it’s “Touch, for the people we support, is work for that individual.” their life.” often their communication.” At Sense, starting with the individual In Sense, there’s another reason is absolutely central to giving personal that giving and receiving personal Jonathan Monk says, “Touch, for care. This means starting out by finding care matters so much. When the people we support, is often out what an individual needs, likes someone has significant sight and their connection, their interaction and dislikes. As staff get to know the hearing impairments, touch is vital with another person. It’s their person better, they build a picture with for understanding the world and for communication. For people who use more depth, learning how to recognise

24 25 Focus on Personal care Art and creativity

someone’s triggers for anxiety, how to reassure them when their routine is disrupted, and how they best learn Mark new skills. Do you like to do things for Staff work with the individual and Mark was severely disabled in Donna: yourself as much as possible? their family to find out about their a motorbike accident fifteen Of course I do, yes. cultural background. Staff find out years ago and struggled to find Mark: How do you feel about if there is a particular way someone somewhere to live that could give Donna: someone helping you with personal wants their hair to be cared for, for him the extra support he needs. things – for example, helping you have example: Afro-textured hair needs He recently moved to Holly House. a shower or go to the toilet? different products, washing and What does it mean to you to I’d rather do it myself, but I combing than straight hair so if no one Donna: Mark: have moved to Holly House? don’t mind. If I need it, I’ll ask. in the staff has experience of caring for It was important that I moved Are you ok about it? Is it it they will find out from family or the Mark: Donna: to Holly House so I could go out more, embarrassing? local community. Similarly, if someone including doing my own shopping and I’m ok about it, no not has a washing routine they must follow Mark: The making my own meals with support. I embarrassing. Everything is going well Zara because of their religious practices, Tackling loneliness and like having my own spacious ensuite I think. staff will make sure that routine is Show bedroom and I like living here as What are the things you don’t carefully followed. Donna: everyone is nice. like? isolation through art Supporting someone as an individual Podcast What things do you need I don’t like to have people wash also means learning about their past Donna: Mark: help with? me. I like to do it myself. ense is delighted to share with Director of Operations, Jonathan Monk Zara Jayne is a experiences: not everyone has had To watch over me when How do you like staff to help you the recently launched Sense said, “Connecting to people with art performance positive experiences throughout their Mark: Donna: shaving. Guided in shower, that’s all I you with personal care? Arts Connect Manifesto, created and creativity adds joy, fun and richness maker and life and this may affect their ability to S need. Support with hair washing. I don’t mind help but I like by artist Tanya Raabe-Webber. The to the lives of the people we support. writer with trust and form positive relationships. Mark: Donna: What do you like to do to wash myself every morning manifesto provides a broad set of This is clearly evident from the faces hidden for yourself? without fail. values to support you, your family and represented in the manifesto and is disabilities. Everything I’m capable of. friends to tackle loneliness and isolation something to celebrate.” With Keeping everyone safe is a vital part Mark: during this time and beyond. The images are a selection of the theatres closed for most of giving good personal care. Interim Head of Arts, Stephanie final paintings that Tanya created from of 2020 Zara decided to Tyrrell said, “The manifesto is a attending Sense Connect sessions. team up with Sense and Keeping everyone safe is a vital part intimate care requires staff or family statement, it acts as a source of Watch the Sense Arts Connect make a podcast. In the first of giving good personal care. People members to get into somebody’s space “It is an immense privilege to be able inspiration for artists and a meaningful Manifesto film here.www.youtube. series, Zara explores the lives with complex needs are potentially – but most of us feel uncomfortable to support somebody with their tool for people to absorb, interpret, com/watch?v=c7Eh0IKMifA& of artists and performers who vulnerable to abuse, and possibly more with this. Some people need full personal care.” and reflect on in a time of isolation. feature=emb_logo have disabilities, and talks to so if they need help with intimate support, so our staff have no choice but Tanya is a disabled artist and has Visit Tanya’s website to see more of them about their work, world care. Sense is extremely careful in to get close – the responsibility is on “It is an immense privilege to be created a reflection, rooted in her her work: https://tanyaraabewebber. views and life in lockdown. its selection of support workers, and them to try to make it as pleasant and able to support somebody with their own experiences of Sense Connect wordpress.com/ With frank conversation, ‘Art trains them to look out for signs that positive as possible.” personal care. That half an hour you’re (see page 28) through a collection of Swap’ and a few revealing someone may be at risk. If people have On the other hand, personal care can supporting somebody to have a bath, sketches and paintings.” games, join Zara on her debut had negative experiences in the past, create a closeness that is very positive you are in such a privileged position podcast adventure! staff work with them to rebuild their for the person, who may otherwise to be able to make something that What are the key aims? Spread the word! trust and to empower them with their feel isolated. Chris says, “If the only is necessary into an enjoyable, fun Search for ‘The Zara understanding that their body is their time the person has any physical experience where you can engage.” • Be bold, be curious We’d love as many people living with own, and private. contact with people is during personal complex disabilities Show’, available on Apple • Seek new experiences Podcasts and Spotify. Chris Fuggle is Sense’s Positive care, then it probably becomes really • Find joy in the challenge to know about our innovative Behaviour Support Practice Advisor, important to them because contact approach to inclusive art and • Connect and be connected Direction & music by Sam and he notes that “most personal and between people is really important. creativity. Frankie Fox /Mixed by Please share with your networks far Fox&Rocha /Artwork by and wide! Channi Dorset

26 27 Tackling isolation and loneliness Tackling isolation and loneliness

What Sense Connect offers Siblings and young carers Staying connected Virtual buddying through lockdown

ockdown has shown Gabriel is learning to ‘happy’ and ‘angry’ faces • For people of all ages with complex everyone how lonely recognise emotions and is developing his communication and sensory needs. • The Government’s L life can be when the understanding of emotions. • Sense buddies socialise over phone, videocall Loneliness people and places we love “If it was not for Sense, or letter. are taken away. But what our son would not have • You’ll be matched with a volunteer buddy based Fund provided if life was already lonely received the right support on your communication style, hobbies and • For young people aged 5-18 who have a sibling £500,000 to before the isolation of the that he needs. So, to all the interests, with a focus on growing friendships. or parent with complex communication needs. help set up the pandemic? As readers of supporters out there, our • Age appropriate group sessions and one to Sense Connect Talking Sense will appreciate, family’s forever grateful.” Specialist support for children one peer sessions where you can share your programme. this is the case for thousands, Michelle, Gabriel’s mum and young people experiences and interests with a fellow sibling or if not millions, of disabled young carer. • Nearly 14,000 people in the UK. A study by Heartfelt thanks Sense, before the pandemic, Arts, physical activity, individuals revealed that one in two Three-year-old Gabriel Following the overwhelming and wellbeing responded disabled people feel lonely started receiving support response to our Emergency to this year’s every day. And lockdown from Sense last year, so Appeal, we are humbled by Sense Christmas only made things worse. he’s never met his Sense the continued generosity Appeal, raising For more than six decades, Specialist Teacher, Jade, in of everyone who supports over £440,000. Sense has offered support for person. But being able to Sense. New donations families, adults and children access sessions online has It’s clearer than ever that who are deafblind or have been a real benefit. Gabriel our supporters are an integral • For children and young people aged 0-25 and messages of other complex disabilities, to has Down’s syndrome and part of the Sense family. who have a multi-sensory impairment support continued tackle social isolation so that is deafblind, so he struggles Such commitment and trust (deafblindness) or a single sensory impairment to pour in well people are less lonely and to understand emotions. from so many people gives and additional needs. past Christmas. more connected with their Jade has been working us confidence that we will • Online information, advice and support. • For people of all ages with complex disabilities. communities. We’ve been with him to develop his be able to do even more this • Group activity sessions to provide your child with • A mixture of live sessions, pre-recorded videos, • We are also determined that lockdown communication skills. Using year to support families, opportunities for meaningful interactions to written activity sheets and/or specialist grateful to all the restrictions would not stop turn taking, mimicry, music children and adults living with increase their connections, confidence and well- equipment bundles sent out to your home to this vital work. and games Gabriel can complex disabilities. being. help you be creative and stay active. philanthropists, With the help of a grant now recognise • Virtual individual sessions to support your child’s • Fortnightly emails with a whole host of trusts, from the Government’s communication, play and exploration skills. accessible arts, sport and wellbeing activity foundations Loneliness Fund, we set up • Virtual support groups for parents and carers. resources. and statutory Sense Connect to offer partners who have online sessions and activities so generously geared towards people with supported Sense complex disabilities and communication needs, and To subscribe to the free Sense Arts, Sport and Wellbeing activity Connect and their families. There are one- our Emergency to-one sessions, groups and resources or if you are interested in Sense Connect services for yourself, Appeal. buddying as well as resource or know someone who may benefit from any of the services, visit packs sent by post to those “ already known to us. www.sense.org.uk/get-support/online-support/

28 29 Tackling isolation and loneliness Tackling isolation and loneliness

Stories behind the statistics No one left n array of different people affected by this issue, some of whom Sense supports, are backing our campaign and Asharing their experience. out of life Our thanks to you all for your time and honesty in sharing your stories. Here are snippets from Saihan’s and Natalie’s stories:

including the expansion of services Impact so far aimed at tackling loneliness.

We have all now experienced how People affected by the it feels to have barriers preventing us issue have been able to speak from participating in everyday life. Our about their experiences in the hope is that as we plan our way out of media, reaching more than 19 lockdown and begin to imagine what million people, with coverage on our lives will look like post-Covid, we Sky News, Channel 5 News, BBC can all commit to making society more and ITV Online. accessible for everyone. That’s why, in addition to our More than 40,000 views of Government call, we are also asking the new animated film produced the public to join us in pledging to help to promote the campaign. Saihan Natalie tackle social isolation and loneliness Audio description is an integral among disabled people. part of the film and it features here is one question that bothers hile the lockdown has been contributions from Saihan and me every day. I look like everyone, hard on us all, for disabled How you can support Natalie. Coronation Street star, Tparticipate in class like everyone Wpeople, it has really taken its the campaign Cherylee Houston, has backed and I breathe the same air as everyone. toll. Not being able to access my local Our hope is that everyone connected the campaign and provides the So, why do I get treated like an alien? community and go out as I used to has to Sense will get behind the campaign voiceover for the film. It is a crying shame that when I would hugely impacted my confidence again and help make it a success, bringing this go into class, people would move away and now, I feel like I am back where I issue to the attention of more people More than 6,000 people like I was a bad smell. I am not asking started. Video and phone calls are quite that they either always or often feel ense has launched a and, hopefully, making a positive have signed the pledge as we for the world’s riches, sympathy or any inaccessible to me so I can’t keep in lonely. This rises to 70% of young new ‘Left Out Of Life’ difference. You can: go to press! You can view the charity, but just to be accepted for who touch with my close friends and family. disabled people, aged between Scampaign, aimed at film at www.sense.org.uk/ I am. As each day goes by, loneliness With everyone wearing masks, I find 16 and 24. highlighting and tackling social Sign and share the pledge at LeftOutOfLife wants to stay, but this can all change. communication so much harder as I Sadly, as the campaign makes isolation and loneliness amongst www.sense.org.uk/LeftOutOfLife How can we all as individuals make a lip-read quite a bit. clear, isolation and loneliness is disabled people. and find out more information, difference? It is not that hard. All it takes My hope is that from this [lockdown], While isolation and loneliness has something that disproportionately including watching the Left Out is a simple ‘hello’ or ‘how was your day’ comes a greater understanding about risen across the whole population in the affected disabled people long before of Life film. to change a person’s life. the difficulties disabled people face. last year, our new research, released as the pandemic. part of the launch, reveals the severe We’re calling on the government If you use social media, impact it has had on disabled people, to recognise the severe impact the follow Sense social media channels with two thirds (61%) now reporting pandemic is having on disabled people and share, like and retweet the feeling ‘chronically lonely’, meaning and improve the support available, campaign posts.

30 31 Sense people Sense people

I’ve learnt to read in the last few years help to understand what people say Lockdown and got an award, I used to go to the on the phone, when I meet them or in library, but now my teacher calls me the letters that arrive, which I don’t like opening in case they worry me. Jane living instead. I still want to learn more to get even better. I like learning. found me some free carpet and helped me move in, get furniture, sort out bills snapshots and lots of stuff, I am very happy with Hello, her, I understand Jane when she talks to me. I’ve been so worried since lockdown, Martin’s new car I’m Nigel the things on the news scare me, so, I am glad Jane has been able to visit First, with the support of Sense all the time to make sure I am OK and staff, Martin built his confidence explain things to me. I like people to to step outside after many years talk to which helps me cope and worry indoors. Now, he has gradually less and to do the things I need. I try to built his confidence to sit in a car always be brave and go for it. I have lots for the first time in over twenty of people to talk to, but a lot of time I years. Not just any car either, but I am going to learn to cook more as am on my own too because I can’t see his own recently purchased car. He I get bored with the same food, so I lots of other people at the moment. has a new lease of life and his new am learning to use herbs and spices to In November I was so excited to get car means he can begin venturing change the taste. my Hearing Dog Wallace, he is a black further afield as lockdown allows. I love my garden and I’m waiting & white Cocker Spaniel; he has made for an allotment, then I can have fun me so happy. I love having Wallace and planning what to grow, I am good at playing with him and he loves walking Anila’s flat makeover I’ve lived in gardening. I love to walk every day; as much as I do! I think Wallace is 2020 has been a difficult year, this helps me feel better because I am helping me to feel calm, his cute face but Anila didn’t let the lockdown diabetic and often get headaches. I like makes me smile a lot which helps me Gosport all my life. forget about things that worry me, restrictions stop her giving her flat to visit my sister who lives nearby and a complete makeover, with the that makes me feel happy. especially at the moment”. help of her support staff. The result early two years ago I I am a member of Sense and lots (Editor’s note: Nigel is delighted to share is bright & beautiful. Next, new moved into supported of other charities which helps me his photos and experiences with fellow flooring and blinds to be fitted, accommodation. This was understand more about my disabilities, N Sense members. Our thanks to Jane when lockdown allows. the first time I have ever lived some have groups that meet up and Monson for supporting him to do this.) on my own. arrange events, I miss seeing friends I had to be brave as it was a bit scary. I’ve made there as things are different I had to learn all about bills and how at the moment. to pay them, who to call to fix any I have Sense Buddy facetime calls Kath’s assisted cycle problems and rules like when to use each week, as I like to have people to the emergency cord or when to put talk to so I don’t get lonely or worry so my bin out. I love my new home. The much and we do some fun things like neighbours are very nice and kind and disco dancing or talk about football or Last summer, Kath loved cycling I have made friends which is good for our dogs. as a way to keep fit and healthy. me, and the staff help me if I am not My Sense Communicator Guide Jane Sense staff highlighted it as an sure what to do. helps me every Thursday and we chat activity that needed to continue I wear hearing aids, have tunnel a lot which makes me feel happier, I for Kath’s wellbeing no matter vision, Type 1 Diabetes and have to eat know I can talk to her about anything what! So, when the skies turned gluten free food. People speak very fast and she will always listen and help grey, the team brought the bike and I don’t always understand what me to understand. I have a learning indoors so Kath could exercise they are saying, which makes me worry. disability, and low literacy, so I need from her comfy armchair with a nice cup of tea!

32 33 Keep active Keep active

Continuing to develop frontline How to support At Sense we know that support workers play a key role in encouraging, informing, and helping people with complex disabilities to access sport and keep active physical activity. But we also realise that this isn’t quite as simple as it may seem, during lockdown particularly during a very difficult year. To understand attitudes, barriers and how to help support workers engage people with e know we should. We all know physical Janet and Sarah’s experience complex disabilities in physical activity will help us to think and feel activity and sport, our Sense Active team commissioned Since April 2020 better. But it doesn’t make it any easier anet and Sarah have had favourite classes. Traverse, an twelve years of adventures For Sarah, the Sense Active sessions to do it. Keeping active is challenging independent, • 130+ live sessions W together, from fundraising have been perfect. When supporting enough in normal times, let alone during pandemic J social research marathons and weekly spinning someone for twelve hours in a day, organisation to with 700+ lockdowns. It’s hard to do it alone and even harder classes to learning foreign thinking of sessions can be really undertake research. languages and creating their own. difficult. Having a timetable of attendances to find things to do that are genuinely inclusive and Alissa Ayling, accessible to everyone. For Janet, who is deafblind and activities has allowed the pair to plan • 20+ pre-recorded supported by Sarah, exercise plays their days and give them structure. Sense Head activity videos Which is why the Sense Active team have worked so an incredibly important role in her Since discovering the online session of Sport & hard to replace face to face activities with virtual live emotional, mental and physical in May, Janet has attended over forty Physical Activity • 4 toolkits commented, “Our sessions, and pre-recorded videos that you can access at wellbeing. When Covid-19 restrictions sessions. were put in place back in March, Janet ‘Sense Active has been really, really support staff play a critical role in a time that suits you. was at a loss. useful. Janet has a lot of ability and our ambition of providing long- And there’s a whole host of new bite-size resources That is until she found out about is an incredible lady. During the term, sustainable opportunities for Sense Active. sessions, she has a smile on her face people with complex disabilities packed full of inclusive and accessible activities with to be active. This report highlights additional guidance and top tips for carers and parents With Sarah interpreting the live the whole time!’ Sarah laughed. sessions and guiding her, Janet These sessions have done the pair the challenges that support staff to help you facilitate the activities at home. was soon taking part with the the world of good. For Sarah, it has encounter, with recommendations “It’s more vital than ever that parents, siblings and same enthusiasm as when she was enabled her to still provide essential for how these can be overcome. We’re now reviewing all the carers feel confident to facilitate activities at home,” swimming in a pool or riding her spin support during the lockdown and class bike. When asked about the for Janet, she can now take part in recommendations and drawing commented Louis Wickett-Padgham, Sense Sport & classes, Janet said she “liked them activities that are vital for her overall up a plan to tackle the priorities Physical Activity Development Manager. We know very much. I really like the yoga’. wellbeing. throughout 2021 and beyond.” One of the sessions that surprised Subsequently, Janet was asked to To read the full report, easy read that you won’t have lots of space or specialist adapted or accessible version of ‘Support equipment, so we needed to create the resources with them both the most was the speak publicly about her experience drumming to music (Pound Fit) of staying active during lockdown workers: attitudes, approaches that in mind. We want to make it as easy as possible for session. Despite being deafblind, at the national Activity Alliance and barriers to helping people with disabled people to stay active and this is one way we Janet loved the vibrations of the virtual event: ‘A collective moment: complex disabilities engage in sport and physical activity’, please visit can continue to support families.” drum, and developed a keen sense of An inclusive response to Covid-19 in rhythm. When asked, Janet said that sport and activity’. www.sense.org.uk/get-support/ drumming, yoga and Tai Chi were her arts-sport-and-wellbeing/sense- sport/our-programme

34 35 Keep active Art and creativity

New bite-sized toolkits for parents Togetherness and carers When the rain is falling down and I’m feeling blue. It feels so nice to spend some with you. I sense it. I sense it- so when the clouds are in the Making Sense of mini games sky, if you’re feeling blue, here’s my advice. Here’s the thing to do. Sense Designed to support people with multiple it, sense it ‘cos... or complex disabilities to be active, it Together we can make it through the storms, just as night includes step by step instructions and prepares the dawn. For life is like that drop of rain- showering activity cards including games that can nature with love as the seasons change. be enjoyed with little or no equipment, or in any sized space. Together we’ll be fine. The resource provides Together we’ll be fine if you come and join the journey with me. Come activities that can be let’s go, when we travel with our mind we’re connected to the whole enjoyed at home, in galaxy. the garden or at a local So let your memory take you back to a time and space - that feels so green space either nice- just like a warm embrace. Sense it, sense it sense it if the fabric of singularly or in groups. your day sometimes pulls apart, that’s not so nice but still you can take heart. Sense it, sense it, sense it cos...

Making walks sensory Together we can make it through the storms, just as night Coronavirus didn’t Sensory walks help disabled people prepares the dawn. For life is like that drop of rain- showering nature with love as the seasons change. stop Claire to engage with nature, so that they can use their senses to connect with Together we’ll be fine. hen the London Marathon’s in-person their surroundings, have meaningful race was cancelled last year, supporter experiences and be active. Extract from the song ‘Togetherness’ © music and lyrics by Dike Okoh. WClaire Reese was determined to complete This resource offers ideas for those it virtually. She ran the marathon in laps around her local town, and actually saw it as a positive, because supporting disabled people it meant that her 11-year-old son, Hugo, could be prepare and plan walks, sensory there to cheer her on. Hugo has CHARGE syndrome and mindfulness activity and has been supported by Sense for over 10 years. Join musician Dike Okoh on Sense YouTube for his Fabric of Claire says he would have struggled to be there examples and top tips for Sound workshop in which he performs two contrasting songs to amongst all the crowds if the in-person event had ensuring walks are safe. create a sense of interaction, togetherness and creativity. gone ahead. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llr31KMHVjQ “It gave me such a wonderful feeling and a massive boost to see Hugo there.” All resources are available for download at Claire has raised nearly £2,000 and has plans to www.sense.org.uk/get-support/arts-sport-and- raise even more. Sign up to receive the free Sense Arts Sport and Wellbeing wellbeing/sense-sport/resources/ Thank you, Claire! activity resources at www.sense.org.uk/get-support/ or to request a physical copy, please email online-support/ [email protected]. Run for Sense in 2021! Take a look at the back cover for details.

36 37 Rebecca Sense people

In memory of Rebecca

Her mother, Debbie, remembers how she threw herself into activities encouraging the children she worked Her colleagues loved with to do the same. Due to her own her passion and hearing loss she had a passion for working with disabled children to help enthusiasm which them overcome obstacles as she was infectious from Forging strong had herself. the moment you met her. connections Due to her own Her family have strengthened hearing loss she had Rebecca’s connection with Sense even close connection has developed awareness amongst the pupils at the school a passion for working further by raising funds for our work in between Bromsgrove School and and has built strong relationships between her name. In 2019, her parents, Debbie Staff from Sense TouchBase Pears in Selly the pupils at the school and young people with disabled and Dave, and brother James, collected Sense AOak, Birmingham. from Sense TouchBase Pears. children to help them funds from her funeral for Sense in lieu Over the last few years, staff from Sense In December, Rev Hedworth and the n this issue of Talking Sense, of flowers. TouchBase TouchBase Pears have regularly visited Charity Reps, Meredith and Eleanor we want to remember Rebecca overcome obstacles The following November, they held Pears have Bromsgrove School to support extra- organised an ‘Own Clothes Day’ in support IThomas who was a member as she had herself. a celebration for friends, colleagues curricular programme, specifically the Deaf of Sense. The pupils raised over £1,500 and of the Sense Specialist Services and family who all knew Rebecca to regularly visited Culture and Communication activity hosted have become passionate about Sense’s for Children and Young People Debbie said that her aim was to come together on her birthday for a Bromsgrove by teacher Dr Dawn Rimmer. cause. team. Rebecca sadly passed away “give the children she worked with the coffee morning that filled their house Strong friendships have been built with Community Fundraising Manager, Carl from cancer in January 2019 and School to opportunity to live full and active lives”. with delicious food, stories, laughter Bromsgrove and Sense students through a Williams said: “A huge thank you to the her family have been keeping Rebecca had deep roots with Sense and shared memories about Rebecca. support the buddy programme during which students students at Bromsgrove School for their her memory strong through having been connected with our cause Family members have collected funds volunteer at events such as accessible cycling fundraising efforts and continued work with fundraising and awareness raising extra-curricular even at the age of five when she was at home, donated clothes to our charity in Sutton Park, bowling in Rubery, and art Sense TouchBase Pears. It is thanks to people for Sense over the last two years. invited by the Blue Peter TV show to shops and continued to keep Rebecca’s programme activities at Sense TouchBase Pears. like Dawn and the students at Bromsgrove Rebecca described working for Sense attend our centre in Birmingham to love of Sense alive through their Teacher Dawn has been volunteering that Sense is able to support children and as her dream job. She was a huge asset test out sensory toys for a feature they kindness, raising over £5000. with Sense for over nineteen years. Dawn adults who have complex disabilities or are in her time with us, both as a colleague were running on children with hearing As the family wished, the team has made a huge difference in raising deaf deafblind.” and as a volunteer. Her caring nature, loss. Her family have fond memories are using these funds to create a fearless outlook, and experience as a of the event and her experiences with communication package for parents teacher at schools in the Midlands led Sense that hold the same principles as of children who are deafblind to help her to volunteer with Sense Holidays. Rebecca that ‘everyone can achieve’. them connect with their families Here she was encouraged to become Joining the Sense Specialist Services through total communication sessions, a Leader and ran a number of activity Ways of keeping in touch with for Children and Young People team, including British Sign Language. It breaks before, later, joining the team in even for the short time she was with will be rolled out later in 2021 and the Sense news and stories online September 2018 as a Sense Children us, had a huge impact on the families support it will offer many families will be and Family Support Worker. she supported. Her colleagues loved a lasting legacy to Rebecca’s memory her passion and enthusiasm which was at Sense. sense.org.uk @sensecharity infectious from the moment you met her. @sensecharity @sensecharity

38 39 For everyone who is deafblind. For We have charity places available. Visit: everyone living with complex disabilities. Because no one should be isolated, left www.sense.org.uk/runforsense out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Email: [email protected] Call: 0300 330 9257

Join #TeamSense and your support package will include:

• An invitation to two free Sense training days • Access to 1:1 training support • A personalised Sense running vest • Family friendly cheer points • A VIP post race reception with sports massage

#TeamSense

@senseeventsteam Sense Events Team @senseeventsteam

Registered charity number: 289868