Sense Awards 2025: Person of the Year
Paul Hikin
Paul is a talented artist, who has a learning disability and is deaf. He has lived within his own home with Sense in Birmingham since the residential service was founded 30 years ago and his room is filled with his fantastic artworks.
This year, Paul made a vital contribution to Sense’s wider work by illustrating a children’s book, Ben and Betty Visit the Circus. Published by Sense to celebrate World Book Day in March, the book also forms the basis of a ‘sensory story’ which the charity uses to provide stimulation and lots of fun for disabled children.
Another of Paul’s paintings was gifted to Sense’s retiring chief executive. Kind, caring and thoughtful, he is a much-valued member of the Sense community.
Descriptive transcript of Paul's video
Eve, a woman wearing a floral dress with blonde hair, sits on a sofa with Paul. Paul is a man who wears a blue jumper and glasses. They sign to each other.
Eve: Sense have picked you to win Person of the Year! How do you feel?
Paul signs ‘thank you’ and can be seen holding a black box with his award inside.
Eve: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Paul’s artworks in frame are displayed on the walls of the home where he lives.
Eve: Art is his [Paul’s] world.
Photos of his life and the activities he enjoys.
Eve: He’s lived here 30 years now.
Eve and Paul sit on the sofa as Eve talks to the camera.
Eve: We’re just so proud of how he copes with things.
Paul signs that he likes to help his friends and Eve interprets his words.
Eve: Help. Help your friends.
Eve and Paul walk down a street and through the door of a hall.
Eve: We’ve asked your family to come today.
They meet people clapping and celebrating Paul.
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen! Paul!
People greet and hug Paul to show their support for him.
Paul proudly shows his Sense Award in a box lined with purple tissue paper.
Thank you, I feel very happy to win.
Paul Hickin
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