Sense

Who we are

Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.

Whether it’s communicating with your child for the first time, learning to live more independently or finding friendship through our sports and arts activities - these are the moments that make a difference.

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

Sense was started 70 years ago, by two mothers whose children were born deafblind. No one knew how to help them. Taking matters into their own hands, they proved that with the right support at the right time, their children could communicate, learn and develop.

Sense continues their mission to this day – breaking down barriers to create a world where every disabled person is included and connected. Where children can communicate with their parents and receive the best possible start in life, young people and adults can develop skills, build confidence and connect with their community, and families can find the hope and resilience to thrive, not just survive.

Together, we can achieve long term change. That’s why we go to any lengths, step up in the face of adversity and unite with the 1.6 million disabled people with complex needs in the UK.

Regardless of how long it takes, how many barriers we need to overcome or how hard we have to fight, we’ll stop at nothing to create a world where disabled people are connected and included, no matter what.

Our culture and values

Our values are embedded in our culture and everything we do at Sense. No matter what, we listen to people and we work together to find solutions.

We live and breathe our values. We include. We collaborate. We challenge. We find a way. We celebrate. Our culture is one that listens to people, recognises a good idea, and encourages people to work together to make a real difference.

Our values

We live and breathe our values. We include. We collaborate. We challenge. We find a way. We celebrate. Our culture is one that listens to people, recognises a good idea, and encourages people to work together to make a real difference.

Everything we do is underpinned by our values. These values shape the way we work, how we treat each other, and how we support people.

We include. 

We are determined to provide a place where everyone belongs. Where difference is valued and no one is left out. We take time to understand each other, however we may communicate. And we involve each other, especially in the things that affect us directly.

We collaborate. 

We bring people together and make connections. Because, though we may all connect differently, we are all connected. And by sharing, learning, working and contributing together, we can achieve so much more.

We find a way. 

We think creatively, seeing potential and possibility. Always finding a way, however long it takes.

We challenge. 

We think risk is a part of life to embrace and work with, not avoid. We constantly challenge ourselves and the status quo, working hard to make the world a place for everyone. When things go wrong, we’re honest, we learn, we do better.

We celebrate. 

All achievements are worth celebrating. Those moments and milestones – the ordinary and extraordinary – that give meaning and purpose to life. We notice them and celebrate. Inspiring us to keep going.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We want our people to be as diverse as those we support, and we work hard to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential.

At Sense we are diverse in age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture. We each have our own lived experience, we each bring unique qualities, and we each play our role in building an inclusive workplace, where everyone can thrive. 

We’re proud of the work we do to make sure that disabled people with complex needs can take part in life. And we want our organisation to be just as diverse as the people we support. 

We aim to be a leader within our sector when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and we have a clear EDI strategy outlining this.

We support and encourage all of our people to be themselves at work, and we both recognise and value our differences. Our employee networks, which champion and celebrate our diversity, are just one way we do this.

Our EDI Board is driven by our employees and employee network leads, and is championed by our Chief Executive. This helps us to ensure we have an open forum to discuss ways to better represent our people and the communities we support, to break down barriers, and to ensure all our people have equal and fair opportunities to thrive. 

Our commitment as an employer

We’re part of a number of schemes that help us make sure everyone has an opportunity to achieve their potential at Sense.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving inclusive recruitment and workplace practices. We continue to take a proactive approach to employing disabled people.

This includes guaranteeing an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our roles and ensuring an inclusive, accessible recruitment process.

Our commitment goes beyond recruitment — we’re focused on retaining and developing our people, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of disability, can contribute fully, grow professionally, and be themselves at work.

Employee networks

At Sense we have a diverse team of people, passionate about making a difference to people’s lives. Our employee networks are led by our people and ensure we can all feel connected, celebrate our differences, and have a voice in decisions.

We spend a great deal of time at work, so we should all feel like it is a place we belong and can be ourselves. Our thriving employee networks are led by our people, ensuring that our diversity is celebrated, and that our different perspectives are represented.

These networks contribute to our learning programmes, policies and procedures. They ensure everyone can have a voice, and feel supported, connected and visible at Sense.