Sense (charity)
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| Sense (charity) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sense |
| Formation | 1940 |
| Type | Charity |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
| Leader name | George Castledine |
Sense (charity) is a British charity providing services, campaigning and support for people with complex disabilities affecting sight, hearing or both, and for those with communication support needs. Founded in 1940, the organisation works across the United Kingdom delivering specialist education, residential care, family support and advocacy while conducting research and public campaigns to improve accessibility and inclusion. Sense operates specialist centres, supported living schemes and national helplines, engaging policymakers, healthcare bodies and cultural institutions.
History
Sense emerged in the context of mid‑20th century British social welfare reform and voluntary action alongside organisations such as National Health Service, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Save the Children, and Barnardo's. Founded during the Second World War era, it developed through the post‑war expansion of social services intersecting with work by Beveridge Report, Welfare State reforms, and charities responding to wartime disability. During the 1960s and 1970s Sense expanded specialist residential and day services influenced by debates involving Department of Health and Social Care, Care Quality Commission predecessors, and campaigners connected to Disability Rights Movement figures. In the 1990s and 2000s Sense professionalised fundraising and governance following trends set by Charity Commission for England and Wales, Big Lottery Fund, and national charities like Comic Relief. Recent decades have seen Sense adapt to policy shifts under administrations of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Theresa May with increased emphasis on research, digital access, and co‑production of services with users.
Mission and Services
Sense’s mission focuses on enabling people with complex sensory loss and communication needs to live full lives, intersecting practice with institutions such as NHS England, local authorities like London Borough of Camden, and independent providers including Mencap and Scope (charity). Service provision includes specialist early years intervention comparable to programs in Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists pathways, residential care akin to standards overseen by Care Quality Commission, supported living aligned with frameworks promoted by Local Government Association, and day services reflecting sector models used by Citizens Advice. Sense operates helplines and online resources interacting with platforms such as BBC, Guardian (newspaper), and disability information services. Training for staff incorporates techniques from Royal National Institute for Blind People rehabilitation, Royal National Institute for Deaf People audiology practice, and communication strategies referenced by British Association of Teachers of the Deaf.
Campaigns and Fundraising
Sense runs national campaigns on accessibility, awareness and fundraising similar in scope to initiatives by Macmillan Cancer Support, British Red Cross, and Shelter (charity). Major fundraising vehicles have included events, appeals and corporate partnerships with firms akin to collaborations seen with Tesco, Sainsbury's, and BBC Children in Need. Public campaigns have targeted policy areas involving Equality Act 2010, digital accessibility agendas championed by Government Digital Service, and inclusion efforts highlighted at cultural sites such as British Museum and National Theatre. Fundraising strategies combine high‑profile celebrity ambassadorships like those used by Children in Need and community fundraising models used by Rotary International and Lions Clubs International.
Governance and Funding
Sense is governed by a board of trustees operating within regulatory frameworks administered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and auditing standards aligned with Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Funding sources include statutory contracts with bodies such as NHS England and local authorities, grants from trusts reminiscent of Wellcome Trust and Nuffield Foundation awards, corporate partnerships reflecting models of John Lewis Partnership collaborations, legacies and public donations similar to income streams of Age UK. Governance reforms in recent years mirror sector changes prompted by reports from National Audit Office and parliamentary committees including the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.
Impact and Research
Sense contributes to practice and evidence through research collaborations with universities and research bodies like University College London, King's College London, University of Birmingham, Inclusion London, and research councils such as the Economic and Social Research Council. Evaluations of services employ methodologies used in studies by National Institute for Health and Care Research and sector evaluations published in outlets like Lancet and BMJ. Impact reporting highlights outcomes in communication, independence and quality of life comparable to metrics used by Carers Trust and Social Care Institute for Excellence. Sense’s data have informed policy discussions in parliamentary forums including the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee.
Partnerships and Advocacy
Sense partners with cultural and public institutions to improve access, cooperating with organisations such as the British Library, Royal Opera House, Victoria and Albert Museum, and broadcasters including the BBC to advance inclusive services. Advocacy has involved engagement with legislative processes affecting the Equality Act 2010, accessibility guidance from the Government Digital Service, and health and social care policy debates in collaboration with networks like Disability Rights UK and All‑Party Parliamentary Group on Disability. Internationally, Sense has engaged with comparative practice through links to organisations such as World Health Organization disability initiatives and European networks connected to European Union accessibility directives.
Awards and Recognition
Sense and its staff and volunteers have received sector awards and recognition reflecting standards used by bodies like the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, National Lottery Awards, and local civic honours issued by city councils such as City of London Corporation. Projects have been showcased in conferences hosted by National Youth Agency and received commendations in evaluations by Care Quality Commission. Sense’s contributions to inclusion and innovation have been acknowledged in media outlets including BBC News and specialist journals affiliated with Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.