{"id":81872,"date":"2026-02-25T12:20:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=81872"},"modified":"2026-03-12T14:43:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:43:30","slug":"sense-family-days-appeal-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/get-involved\/support-us\/sense-family-days-appeal-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Sense Family Days Appeal 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\t
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Will you support a child like Leo at a Sense Family Day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Give a gift to help fund a whole day of sensory activities tailored to disabled children with complex needs and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Donate to our Family Days Appeal<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n


There\u2019s something special about a Sense Family Day. Everyone is \u2013 pardon the pun \u2013 having a ball!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siblings, parents and grandparents. And most importantly, disabled children with complex needs like six-year-old Leo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sense runs Family Days throughout the year, and they’re free for families to attend. They’re tailored to disabled children with complex needs, but are suitable for the whole family!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Simona,\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t
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From the moment we arrived, I felt like this was the right place for Leo, and for me. Leo wasn\u2019t just there, he was playing. There wasn\u2019t anything that he couldn\u2019t do, not a single activity where he was left on the sidelines.<\/p>\nSimona, Leo’s mum<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let’s Have a Ball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leo came along to a Sense Family Day called \u2018Let\u2019s Have a Ball\u2019 which was full of ball-themed activities.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was ball throwing (Leo\u2019s favourite!), songs and activities with balls, a ball pit, even painting with balls. And then a sensory disco (complete with sparkly disco ball).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sensory Storytime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Leo and his mum Simona at Sensory Storytime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leo and his mum Simona also went along to a Family Day called Sensory Storytime.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many deafblind children, Leo struggles with spatial awareness \u2013 understanding where his body is in the space around him. He\u2019ll rarely use both hands at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But at Sensory Storytime, they did a special song and activity called \u2018marching ants up a log\u2019. During the song, Leo used both his hands together to roll a ball \u2013 a huge achievement.<\/strong> And now, he\u2019s started doing it at home too!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Liz,\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t
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We hold a variety of different days to appeal to the wide range of our families; some are active such as climbing or dancing, others are creative such as craft or paint, and some focused on age groups such as storytelling or spa day.<\/p>\nLiz, MSI teacher<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Other Family Days activities<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n \"Franklyn\n <\/figure>\n \n
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\n Climbing Challenge\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThe Sense Family Day at an indoor climbing wall gave disabled \r\nchildren with complex needs the opportunity to try something \r\nthey may have never dreamed they could do.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n Water Wonder\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tSense held a Family Day boat ride called Water Wonder. The children enjoyed the smell of salt in the air, the feel of the wind, and the exhilaration as the boat started to speed ahead!\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Family Days feedback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What do other parents think? We run independent surveys into the effectiveness of Sense Family Days to make sure they’re the best they can be.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n Sensory play\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\t91% of respondents agreed their child had opportunities to explore and engage in sensory play.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n Family wellbeing\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\t89% of respondents agreed that the Sense Family Day had a positive effect on their family\u2019s wellbeing.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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\n Satisfaction\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\t89% described Family Days as ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ enjoyable with 100% overall satisfaction\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your gift could help to break down barriers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When you support a Sense Family Day, you\u2019re not just funding a day of sensory activities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re also supporting disabled children with complex needs to improve their communication, gain confidence and learn the skills they\u2019ll need later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n