Annual Review 11/12Our vision is for the people we work with to live meaningful and independent lives, in a world which supports them to achieve their own ambitions.

info@sensescotland.org.uk

www.sensescotland.org.uk

32 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

Sense Scotland has seen some big

changes recently and I would like

to welcome Andy Kerr as our new

Chief Executive and in so doing pay

tribute to former CEO and founder

of the charity Gillian Morbey who

is now enjoying new challenges as

CEO for our sister organisation Sense;

and Joyce Wilson for her long service

and who deputised as CEO in the

period leading up to appointment of

Andy. We wish them both well and

hope Joyce enjoys her retirement.

Sense Scotland is a vibrant organisation which

has always embraced change and encouraged

and supported developments in learning and

innovative approaches. This year I was delighted

to be part of our annual Staff Awards attended

by over 150 staff and volunteers.

We celebrated their Professional Development

achievements which included our Training

and Learning SQA Centre’s graduations for SVQs,

as well as staff College and University Awards.

We will continue to put the people we support and

their families at the very centre of our work. While

we face difficult times in the year ahead we are

committed in our support for disabled people and

their families to live independently, communicate

and fulfil their own ambitions.

Welcome to Sense Scotland Andy Kerr, Chief Executive Officer Our New Logo

Roy Cox, Chairman

It was a great honour to be appointed as the new Chief Executive of such a well-respected and successful organisation and I have enjoyed every minute! That is not to say that the job does not have its challenges and ups and downs but Sense Scotland is a strong and vibrant organisation looking to the future with confidence. We continue to grow and develop services, punch above our weight in the UK and internationally. We are looking for opportunities to develop services and the TouchBase model across Scotland because we believe that we offer opportunities and choices for our people that make a real difference.

I lead a team of fellow Directors and Managers who, along with their teams of staff across the country, are committed and are responding to many challenges, not least the advent of personalisation and the pressure on public funds. We are developing our managers with a custom designed training programme and we are looking to widen and deepen service user and family involvement in the way we work. Our Partnership Forum of staff, management and union representatives meets regularly to communicate and consult on key people issues. They ensure our workforce is engaged and involved in achieving common goals, motivated to continuously improve the services we provide, and committed to improving the working lives of staff. Sense Scotland will continue to work inpartnership to support and promote the interests of the children, young people and adults we support founded upon relationships, communication and involvement with service users and families, Sense Scotland is a charity and social enterprise which aims to solve problems that others will not touch, and we work to a moral and ethical framework. We will retain that personality into the future despite the challenges we face.

You can rest assured that your

team of trustees are doing all

in their power to support and

develop the work of Sense

Scotland and we look forward

to continuing to work with you.

The new logo is part of a ‘Family Agreement’ we’ve been working on with Sense and Sense International who both have a very similar logo. The idea is to share ideas, resources and expertise and to reaffirm and protect each organisation’s autonomy. You might have noticed too that the traditional Scottish colours we’ve used of purple and green include the green from the old logo to recognise the work of those who built such a fantastic organisation over the last 25 years.

Click here to view a video of Andy Kerr introducing the Annual review:

Blue - C100 M94 Y0 K0 Green - C100 M0 Y31 K23 4 Colour Coated

54 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

Sense Scotland currently provide 40,000 days of supported living services each year.

A group of older gentlemen

with learning disabilities, who

we support to live in Bridge

of Earn, have been exploring

their garden alongside their

support staff and Joe Gibson,

our Outdoor Activities

Co-ordinator. Joe explained:

“Sandy, Raymond and Ivor

came out fairly regularly tending

to their vegetables while John

initially observed before helping

tip up one of the bags, which

was a big step.”

During the sessions Joe worked

alongside support staff to help

get the men more involved

in the garden.

As well as a learning experience

the sessions proved to be fun

for everyone involved:

“They look forward to talking

about their garden and what’s

ready to eat,” Joe said.

“And when they made the holes

for the onions in planters, they

were just throwing them and

fortunately just kept hitting the

hole, it was amazing.”

The Moffat Trust Currently Fund

the post of Outdoor Activities

Co-ordinator.

A year in the life of Sense Scotland is about

a shared journey taken by the people and

families we work with and staff and volunteers

throughout the country. We’ll reflect on how

we support the aspirations of the people

we work with by encouraging and advocating

for greater independence, work and learning

opportunities, which can help disabled people

achieve greater control over their own lives.

You’ll also hear about their fantastic creativity

and talent and how we are still working

alongside families and carers to protect

their rights. Throughout this, communication

is at the very heart of all these daily

experiences and relationships.

Growing Together

Bridge of Earn grow to love their garden

Gary and Maureen Simpson’s

twin sons Gerard and Martin,

are in their early twenties and

are both blind and have severe

learning difficulties. Initially

through our Family Adviser Pat

Brown, we have been supporting

the twins since they were four

years old through a range of

services and projects. Gerard

and Martin currently use Self

Directed Support (SDS) to pursue

their individual interests and

ambitions through a variety

of Sense Scotland services.

Gary Simpson talked about

the support they receive

through SDS:

“We have a financial package

from Glasgow City Council which

enables us to buy services.

Gerard is at college 3 days

a week. Martin has one day

at college. Martin through

the One Giant Leap project

(which both boys use) has

been given the opportunity

for a work placement.”

Gerard talks about One Giant

Leap, “It’s good to get people

leaving school to go to the One

Giant Leap because it’s the

transition. It’s always good

to get out the house for a wee

while and spend time with

young people my own age.”

Sense Scotland has always worked flexibly

with disabled people, their families and

carers to ensure that the support they receive

from our services fits around an individual’s

aspirations, needs and budgets. We work

with disabled people and their families

throughout their lives, and all the changes

life brings. This can include facilitating play,

starting school, moving to live independently,

support in employment and taking up new

interests whether it’s arts, music, drama,

socialising or exploring the outdoors.

Fitting around you

76 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

“Every time they’ve gone there they’ve come up with something different to do and the boys look forward to it.” Parent Gary talks about son’s Gerard and Martin using our Helensburgh respite resource.

Sense Scotland believe that Self

Directed Support has to work for

each individual and their choices.

So how did Sense Scotland make

this work for the family:

“It worked for them because

they had a view as to how they

wanted Gerard and Martin have

opportunities. We sat down

and listened to them and we

listened to the boys and what

they wanted to do. It’s not about

grouping people into what fits

into us, it’s what fits around that

young person.”

One Giant Leap is funded

by the Big Lottery Fund.

To view a short film about how we support Gerard and Martin click here.

Gerard is also part of Sense Scotland’s Service

User Group, which meets regularly to discuss

the issues and challenges faced by disabled

people. The group were also involved in the

recruitment process for our new CEO.

Pat Brown, Family Adviser for Sense Scotland

“The over-riding principles of Self Directed

Support are excellent but it’s how that works

in practice. They can buy into arts, drama,

going for walks, it really doesn’t matter.”

Gerard Simpson talks about Ardlui respite,

“I think it was good memories coming over here at weekends.”

98 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

Fitting around you

200 children and adults

receive respite support from

Sense Scotland throughout

the year

Blue - C100 M94 Y0 K0 Green - C100 M0 Y31 K23 4 Colour Coated

1110 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

Millions of BBC 1 viewers watched the National Lottery Awards live

as Pamela Stephenson revealed that Sense Scotland had won the

Health Category of the National Lottery Awards 2011. Matthew Ward,

a talented young musician who uses our services, his mum and staff

were in attendance to accept the award.

A delighted Matthew said: “Thanks to National Lottery Funding,

you’ve really made Sense Scotland a fantastic place to be!”

The Little Theatre in Dundee once again

welcomed Sense Scotland service users,

staff and families as it hosted Sense

Has Got Talent 2. Supported by funding from

the Robertson Trust we have been employing

a drama tutor to work with a creative group

of talented performers from Dundee and Angus.

The show was a mixture of dance, song, cabaret

acts and featured nine performances from the

group. It was magnificently hosted throughout

by Ewan Farquharson.

“I loved it! I’m going to do it again next year.”

Ian Johnston, performer.

Meeting aspirations

Sense has got talent Matthew leads Award celebrations

This project is funded by the William S Phillips Fund, The Russell Trust, Alexander Moncur’s Trust and The Robertson Trust.

1312 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

“It was a very successful day, with fantastic enthusiasm and motivation from everyone involved. Despite the typical Scottish summer weather, we all had a great time!,” Fiona Sharp, our Music Practitioner and one of the organisers.

Lochore Meadows Day

The wettest day of August landed

on the day of the Lochore Meadows event,

however, we had a record turnout of over

60 brave people and staff from both East

and North East services. Staff were excellent

at encouraging people to get out, despite

the rain and try the adapted bikes.

Towards the end of the day, our new

chief Executive, Andy Kerr popped along

to meet everyone.

Exploring the world together

During the past year the fundraising generated £2,274,629.

1514 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

8 year old Spencer is autistic

and can find communication

and mixing with other people

difficult and overwhelming.

Spencer is supported by our

North Lanarkshire Family Support

Service, funded by the local

council, to access opportunities

and activities in the wider

community for several hours

a week. Mum Karen knows

what kind of support

Spencer needs:

“Spencer knows if somebody

can’t cope with him and if

somebody can’t be bothered

with him.”

Manager of the service Nicola

Collins, helped his support

worker Vicky develop the right

communication approaches:

“Vicky thought about how she

communicated with Spencer,

what she was saying and what

impact it would have on him.

She went to training as well.”

“You think 4 hours isn’t a lot

but it’s an absolute life line,

it’s absolutely vital,” said

Karen. “When he’s getting out,

he’s meeting new challenges,

meeting new people and he’s

building his interaction.”

In the last year we delivered over 3,500

training days for a thousand staff. 34 support staff

completed their SVQs. We are supporting a further 101 staff to complete SVQs.

Communication is at the heart of all our work

Spencer is getting out and about

Spencer’s mum Karen talks about Sense Scotland

“It’s an absolute life line, it’s absolutely vital.”

1716 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

The garden at our respite

resource for adults in Dundee

needed developed, so our

Outdoor Activities Coordinator

Joe Gibson worked with the

respite manager Morag Watson,

to see how Gordon could

contribute. Following a £5,000

donation from BT’s Give As

You Earn scheme, Gordon was

employed as a gardener at the

respite centre, making sure the

garden is clear and accessible.

“The donation enabled the

garden to be a place for people

using respite to enjoy and it

has led to Gordon achieving his

dream of getting a job”, said our

Family Adviser Jackie Reid.

Supporting people to live independently

We’ve supported Gordon to live independently in Dundee for a number of years, having helped him make a well planned transition from a long stay hospital in Inverness. He’s now happy and settled in his own flat, close to his family.

Working lives

Over 330 children young

people and adults receive

support throughout

the day across the country

1918 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

Hammy said:

“We have to make sure that support remains there, because there’s pressure on councils as well to make cuts, to make cuts where they shouldn’t make them.”

Brett talked about his concerns for daughter Ruth:

“I’m really concerned that these cuts that will affect Ruth throughout her life. I think the cuts really are damaging a lot of the progress that’s been made over the years with organisations like Sense Scotland…instead of making progress, my fear is we’re going backwards.”

Working with families and carers“…instead of making progress,

my fear is we’re going backwards.”

Siblings Relate

and Play Day

Brothers and sisters who use

our Parent Enabler Project (PEP)

enjoyed a day exclusively for

themselves. PEP provides support

for families who live with and

care for disabled children up

to the age of 19. The children

talked openly about their brother

or sister and shared information

and advice through fun activities

and discussions. There was also

a blind toy game session and

a balloon land art session.

Here are some of the topics

and responses from the

young people.

What is a disability?

The word ‘disability’ can

be really hard to define

but the group had some

great explanations:

‘Find it difficult to understand

things’ and ‘Sometimes

they need help’.

Me and my family

A lot of the young people’s

brothers and sisters have similar

disabilities. They thought that

it was helpful to know that they

are not the only ones with

that kind of disability.

What did the

children think

about their day:

“I’m not the only one with a sister with a disability.”

“I will help mum push my brother’s chair.”

“Even when I’m older, I won’t forget about my sister.”

What is communication?

The group tried to understand

how difficult it can be to

communicate if you can’t

use your voices.

Sense Scotland families speak out

Disabled people and their families are being hit

hard by cuts to the benefits and services they

need to live their lives. Sense Scotland is part of

the Hardest Hit campaign which opposes the

cuts being made. The changes to welfare mean

that most disabled people and their families will

lose income at a time when many are already

struggling to cope financially. The campaign

believes these changes affect disabled people

disproportionately. As part of a day of action

parents Hammy Kirkwood and Brett Millett,

whose daughters uses our services, joined staff

including our CEO Andy Kerr at rally in Edinburgh

alongside nearly 1000 people.

2120 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

The event gave people the

freedom to successfully use their

imagination and free expression

to create experimental artworks.

Participants successfully

marked out their identity with

fingerprints and created other

inspirational drawings with light,

food and themselves, such as

iced hand and footprints.

“It shows how art sessions can

bring together groups of people

who may not usually work

alongside each other, while

offering opportunities to make

friends.” Mhari.

Participant Gerard Simpson

said: “I really enjoyed taking

part as a team in the scavenger

hunt…we should organise one

for Christmas.”

The Big Draw

Visual arts tutors Mhari and Audrey engaged

with the children and young people we support

as part of the Big Draw festival, the world’s

biggest celebration of drawing. Tailoring the

sessions around the needs of the young people

the sessions were a creative mix of experiences

across a variety of sensory canvases using icing

sugar, sculptural work and painting with light

and sound. Mhari Baxter, Visual Arts Tutor said:

“People signed in with their fingertips, went on

a scavenger hunt, took part in a sugar dusting

ceremony, painted with natural pigments and

discovered drawing with light.”

Mharhi Baxter, Art Tutor:

“…art sessions can bring

together groups of people who

may not usually work alongside

each other.”

Last year, over 5000 visual arts, drama

and music sessions took place across

Scotland

Creativity and expression

Our front cover features one of the light sessions from

the Big Draw

23Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/201222 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012

A film in which a visually impaired woman reads aloud extracts from a Braille edition of Playboy magazine, won our 9th Helen International Award. It was created by artist Caroline Douglas, an MFA Graduate from Glasgow School of Art. Judges felt the 5 minute film ‘worked on a number of levels and had the greatest impact’. Isobel MacRae, our Arts Development Officer, curated the exhibition and talked about the variety of work:

“This time we’ve received a really wide range of entries in different mediums, including film, sculpture, painting and performance. It’s so interesting to see how each artist has approached the brief and responded to it in a unique way.”

The judges were Francis McKee (Director of CCA), John Shankie (Artist), and Monica Callaghan (Head of Education, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery). Runner up David Frame is someone we have supported since his teens and he regularly attends our visual arts sessions. His work Colours was a digital image of a group of pencils.

Winner: Playboy Entertainment for Men, Braille Edition June 1996 (film) – by Caroline Douglas from Scotland

Highly commended: Whistling Man (film) – by Yael Schmidt from Israel

Highly commended: Colours (Digital Image) – by David Frame, Scotland

Highly commended: Guidedog Amber (Painting) – by Marianne Angela Fennymore from England

Playboy Braille film wins

Helen Keller International Award Thank you to all our supporters

Trusts and Foundations

RJ Larg Family Trust

BT

Creative Scotland

W.M. Sword Charitable Trust

Callendar Charitable Trust

St. Katharine’s Fund

Merchants House of Glasgow

The Appletree Trust

The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust

The Big Lottery Fund

The Mickel Fund

Alexander Moncur’s Trust

Nexon Petroleum Ltd

Strathclyde Police Benevolent Fund

The Sylivia Aitken Charitable Trust

The New MacLay Murray and Spens Charitable Trust

The Trinafour Trust

Douglas Hay Trust

The Ecton Charitable Trust

Jennie S Gordon Memorial

Foundation

PF Charitable Trust

Scottish Natural Heritage

The Darroch Charitable Trust

Alexander Torrance Cathro Bequest

W.A. Cargill Fund

JTH Charitable Trust

Scottish Government Malawi Devlopment Programme

The R.S. Macdonald Charitable Trust

Children’s Aid (Scotland) Ltd

The Margaret Elizabeth and Alexander Brownlie M/C Charitable Trust

The Highgate Charitable Trust

The Russell Trust

The People’s Postcode Trust

Saints and Sinners Club of Scotland

The Moffat Charitable Trust

Trades House of Glasgow

The John M. Archer Charitable Trust

Tesco Charity Trust

The Peter Brough Bequest Fund

The Ann Jane Green Trust

The Bellahouston Bequest Fund

The Hugh Fraser Foundation

The Paul Charitable Trust

Talteg Limited

Harold Adams Charitable Trust

Cordis Charitable Trust

The Annie Jack Memorial Trust

Miss E.C. Hendry’s Charitable Trust

Awards For All

William Grant and Son Ltd

Radio Clyde Cash for Kids

Miss Agnes H. Hunter’s Trust

Leach Family Charitable Trust

D.C. Leggat’s Charitable Trust

A.M. Pilkington’s Charitable Trust

Netherdale Trust

Ponton House Trust

The Robertson Trust

The Leng Charitable Trust

Sir James Miller Edinburgh Trust

The James Wood Bequest Fund

Northwood Charitable Trust

William S Phillips’ Fund

Organisations and companies

Santander Asset Management

Life Long Learning Association Strathclyde University

Mail Marketing

Mackenzie Hall

GMB Unite

Wilson Andrews

Resource Telecom

Borders Friends Group

Glasgow Fundraising Group

Iron Mountain

Women’s Union of The United Reform Church

Thomas Tunnock Limited

Virgin Media

BAE Systems

Rolls Royce

Head Office, West Region and Children and Family Services contact:

TouchBase: Sense Scotland 43 Middlesex Street Glasgow G41 1EE

Phone: 0141 429 0294 Fax: 0141 429 0295 Text: 0141 418 7170

Sense Scotland North East Region:The Gatehouse Quarry Road Northfield Industrial Estate Aberdeen AB16 5UU

Phone: 01224 695510 Fax: 01224 789945

Sense Scotland East Region:11 Edison House Fullerton Road Queensway Industrial Estate Glenrothes KY7 5QR

Phone/text: 01592 752005 Fax: 01592 751121

Designed by strutdesign.co.uk | Photography by Sense Scotland | This publication is available in various formats on request. Sense Scotland is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: 147570 and a registered Scottish Charity No: SC022097.

Patron: The Duchess of Sutherland. Honorary Patron: Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore LLD DL.

Blue - C100 M94 Y0 K0 Green - C100 M0 Y31 K23 4 Colour Coated

Colours by David Frame

How can we support you?

• Support for children and young people• Support for adults• Support to live in your own home• Taking a short break• Parent Enabler Project• TouchBase• Arts• One Giant Leap• Outdoor Activities

How can you get involved?

• Fundraising• Work or volunteer• Business Centre• Visit our shops

To find out more about Sense Scotland:email: info@sensescotland.org.uk or visit: www.sensescotland.org.uk