Sense Awards 2025 shortlist
It’s the Sense Awards’ 22nd year.
The Sense Awards is our annual celebration of disabled people with complex needs and the people that support them. This year, we received incredible nominations and of course we can only recognise some of the wonderful achievements. Our shortlisted 2025 nominees are truly amazing. They were all carefully chosen by our judges: author, campaigner and television personality Tasha Ghouri, disability advocate Pravjoth Gill, dancer Shaun Hayward, campaigner Roxy Murray and scientist Max Fisher.
On this page, see the Sense Awards 2025 shortlist for each of these categories:
- Person of the year
- Young person of the year
- Young sibling of the year
- Family carer of the year
- Campaigner of the year
- Fundraiser of the year
- Digital voice of the year
- Volunteer of the year
- Journalist of the year
- Media moment of the year
- Community group fundraiser of the year
- Community impact of the year
- Business for good company of the year
- Inclusive business champion of the year
Person of the year
Vinay Raghavan
Vinay, 21, has shown great resilience in the past year after losing most of his vision. Always a hardworking student at Sense College Rothwell in Northamptonshire, Vinay loves being independent, enjoyed reading, had the neatest handwriting and was studying for a Gateway Qualification in maths when he began struggling with his eyesight in June 2024.
After an extended break to help him adapt, Vinay returned to college in January. He determinedly mapped his environment because he could no longer see. Now he’s back at his work placement, helping cook dinner at Deaf Connect Café and sorting food bank donations. He takes charge of the Tuck Shop shopping each week and puts 100 per cent effort into every task.
Amy McDonald
Amy has shown outstanding determination and commitment to personal development during the past year, within Sense’s Employment Programme. When she joined the service in October 2024, she lacked confidence.
Flare-ups of her chronic health conditions had blocked her from personally running her tattoo studio, while previous attempts to explain her needs to non-specialist work coaches had left her feeling exhausted. During one-on-one coaching sessions with Sense, Amy decided to retrain in digital marketing. She enthusiastically took on local college coursework and multiple Open University modules and worked on her own business’s website and social media.
Now she’s ready to find more part-time or freelance digital marketing work and get started on her new career.
Paul Hickin
Paul is a talented artist, who has a learning disability and is deaf. He has lived within his own home at Sense Shalnecote Grove 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. Paul achieved all this while coping with a family bereavement. Kind, caring and thoughtful, he is a much-valued member of the Sense community.
My coach at Sense helped me have confidence to give things a go and learn about new things. Now I know digital marketing is something I will really enjoy and it’s what I want to do. I never thought I could be shortlisted for an Award, but someone has recognised the hard work I’ve been putting in and it’s given me a real boost!
Amy McDonald
Young person of the year
Asa
Asa is a carer to his parent, Ry, and enjoys channelling his energy into what he calls his ‘useful hour’ – where he does useful things around the house to help out the family. Asa and Ry are both neurodivergent, and Ry has a number of energy-limiting conditions which mean they use a wheelchair and need support in the home. Ry says Asa, nine, is “my arms and legs”, providing support with tasks like vacuuming, tidying and laundry.
Asa – who enjoys taking part in Sense’s Siblings and Young Carers Group – says: “Being a carer is pretty fun. Sometimes it can be stressful, but most of the time I’m very happy because it’s taught me a lot of lessons.”
Ben and Sam
Ben and Sam are brothers born exactly a year apart, who bravely appeared on TV and in the news as the government threatened benefits cuts that would’ve been a hammer blow to the family. Their story even made it in front of the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The boys, who are both autistic, like routine, so having TV crews in the family home could have been a huge upheaval for Ben and Sam, 13 and 14, but mum Lorraine says they coped with it surprisingly well and she’s very proud of all of their campaigning efforts.
Eoin
Eoin has had an incredible year, making progress with his vocalising and movement that has made his family so proud. Eoin, now eleven, spent his first six months in hospital and has complex needs, including with his communication. Eoin has a tracheostomy and is non-verbal, and he recently started using a speech valve to help him vocalise.
While Eoin cannot communicate through speech, he enjoys making noises and this summer was delighted to play the lead role in his school production of The Greatest Showman, where he performed the tear-jerking song ‘A Million Dreams’ to captivated parents and children. His mum, Ann-Marie, describes the moment as “incredibly emotional” and said she’s so proud of everything her son’s achieved.
Charlotte Walker
Charlotte is an amazing seven-year-old girl who has worked really hard to learn how to communicate through sign and speech. When Charlotte was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, which affects all of her senses, at just a few days old, her parents didn’t know if Charlotte would ever be able to do things like eat, drink, communicate and walk on her own.
Charlotte has made huge progress since those early days, with mum particularly noticing this year that Charlotte has been showing more independence and emotional intelligence. And this year she’s even gotten over her fear of dolls and supported Sense’s fundraising campaign to raise money for the charity’s community hubs. Mum Vanessa said: “There is so much progress that Charlotte’s made and it’s wonderful to see her celebrated for everything she can do.”
This superhero boy of ours does something every single day that just fills us with pride. When we were told we might not ever get to bring him home from hospital, it felt like the world stopped. So now, every new little thing he achieves – whether it’s shaking his head, clapping his hands, sharing his voice in the school show – it’s just huge for us. We were surprised when we found out that Eoin had been nominated for this wonderful national award, but Eoin is always surprising us. We are so proud of him.
Ann-Marie, Eoin’s mum
Young sibling of the year
Thomas and Max
Thomas and Max , ten and eight, have adapted their lives with so much resilience and kindness to support their brother Harvey, four, who is deafblind.
The brothers have learnt British Sign Language so they can sign Harvey’s favourite songs to him and taught their friends how to sign hello. They play Lego with special braille lego bricks, help Harvey pop his hearing aids back in whenever they fall out and use ‘objects of reference’ so Harvey knows what game they’re about to start playing. They also showed a lot of resilience when moving to a new area to be in a house accessible for Harvey’s needs.
If somewhere isn’t accessible to Harvey, the brothers have never been sad when their parents have explained they cannot attend. They will respond with ‘if Harvey can’t go, then I’m not going, it’s not fair’.
Zaynab
Zaynab, 14, loves going into town and spending time with her sister Aminah, 12, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
This year Zaynab learnt to use Aminah’s hoist to give her more independence, and take pressure off their parents.
Zaynab is nicknamed Aminah’s ‘little nurse’ and is always on hand to give her medication or identify when she might be getting a chest infection. Her mum says she is endlessly attentive to Aminah and empathetic.
Izzy and Phoebe
Izzy and Phoebe, eleven and seven, have a really special bond with their sister Isla, nine, who has autism and Robinow Syndrome.
Izzy, who has ADHD herself, is the first to lend a hand, whether it’s helping with medication, grabbing specialist equipment, or being there emotionally. Phoebe is Isla’s go-to for comfort during tricky moments. Whenever Isla gets upset, Phoebe is ready to jump in to distract her and make her feel better.
The sisters are also passionate about spreading awareness of disability. They have held assemblies at their school about autism, Robinow Syndrome and ADHD to educate their peers about these conditions. Izzy was also inspired by Isla to begin running ‘British Sign Language Sign of the Week’ at school with her friends to teach her classmates basic sign language.
Evie
Evie, twelve, makes life easier for her autistic brother Vinnie, ten, every day in little ways. Evie helps Vinnie emotionally regulate when he feels overwhelmed, stepping in at the first sign he’s becoming dysregulated.
The two have had an unmistakable bond since Vinnie was tiny; when Vinnie was younger and had a speech delay, Evie would often be the only person in the family who could understand him.
Evie also helps train Goose, Vinnie’s assistance dog in training. Goose is being trained to detect changes in Vinnie’s sweat to tell when he is going to be overwhelmed, and detect his saliva to indicate when Vinnie needs to eat and drink.
Stanley
Eleven-year-old Stanley’s mum Lisa says she doesn’t know what the family would do without him, as he does so much to support his sister Dot, eight, who has a rare genetic condition causing autism, epilepsy and anxiety. Stanley will hold Dot’s hand to reassure her in public, and always checks the family have her ear defenders and sunglasses before they leave the house.
Dot found starting school difficult; on his own initiative, Stanley asked permission from the school’s headteacher to accompany Dot through the junior entrance and pick her up at the end of the day. He also goes to check on her at breaktimes and lunchtimes.
Stanley also is the best in his family at spotting when Dot is about to become overwhelmed with anxiety. He encourages her to self-regulate by focusing on her breathing and often can help her calm down when her parents can’t.
I felt really excited to be shortlisted for a Sense Award. I would like the whole world to have a space for people in wheelchairs or who have disabilities as well, so they are treated the same as anyone else, and they don’t feel left out.
Zaynab
Family carer of the year
Julie Steward
Julie is mum to Sonny, a fantastic eight-year-old who is deaf and has very little vision. With support from Julie and Sense, Sonny is learning to express himself using sign language, picture symbols, and his new iPad – and his confidence is growing every day. Julie is passionate about helping other families like hers, using her experience to raise awareness and vital funds for Sense. She featured in the charity’s 2024 BBC Lifeline appeal, welcoming TV cameras into her home on Mother’s Day to share her emotional story. She’s given inspiring talks to future major donors and Sense’s London Marathon runners. At Sense’s 70th anniversary celebration, attended by HRH The Princess Royal, Julie read a letter to her son, honouring Sense’s legacy which began as a letter between the mums who founded the charity. It was incredibly moving.
Abbie Bates
Abbie loves caring for her four-year-old daughter, Harriet, who is autistic, non-verbal and is tube fed. But at times along the way, Abbie admits she’s felt very lonely. When she was first told that Harriet, then 15 months, could be autistic, she didn’t know how to access the right support. She gave up her job as a children’s nursery practitioner to become a full-time family carer.
Now she’s determined to combat loneliness among other parents of disabled children. By sharing Harriet’s story – and her deep love for her daughter – on Instagram, Abbie has connected with tens of thousands of families. This year, she’s also launched her own inclusive clothing range, featuring slogans like ‘Love needs no words’, designed to spark conversations and get people talking about disability.
Sarah Finney
Sarah is devoted to her identical twin sons, Louie and Freddie, who are 20 and both have Batten Disease variant CLN5, a rare degenerative condition. A former nurse, Sarah coordinates the twins’ care, health and medical needs and supports them to enjoy life through Sense’s online music and drumming sessions, and at college, where they meet up with other young adults and take part in adaptive sports.
Sarah is an absolute superstar family carer who always puts her boys first, even though that means having no time left for her own needs. She says every moment she has with the twins is precious because they can become poorly very quickly, and they’ve given her strength she never knew she had.
Amanda
Amanda is an outstandingly committed foster carer who has looked after 53 babies and very young children during the past 16 years. The little ones placed in her care very often have additional needs – some are disabled with complex needs, while others have suffered trauma, neglect or abuse. A mum of three grown-up children and a grandmother too, Amanda, aged 57, makes sure every foster child who comes into her home feels safe and cared for. Night feeds and delivering medicines at all hours are just part of her life.
One child she fostered and later went on to adopt to ensure he has a “forever family” particularly loves visiting his local Sense hub to take part in forest school. Staff there are deeply impressed by the dedicated care and love Amanda gives him. Previously a nanny and nursery nurse, Amanda has spent her life caring for children.
I hope me being shortlisted for this Sense Award will help highlight what family carers do behind the scenes. You do so much because you absolutely love your relative.
Sarah Finney
Campaigner of the year
Leanne Gregory
Leanne Gregory is a fierce SEND campaigner who founded a co-operative of grassroots organisations called SEND Seen. It brings together people with lived experience of the SEND system who are all taking action to provide services to SEND families, to share experience and campaign for change.
Leanne is a single mum to her son Jude, 6, who has social, emotional and psychological issues arising from health issues and developmental delay. Like many parents of disabled children, Leanne is now coming up against a complicated SEND system that is under-resourced and underfunded. She has campaigned with Sense, powerfully sharing how Jude has been affected and how her own physical health has suffered because of what they are going through. She has pushed outside of her comfort zone to speak to national journalists, bringing to life the difficult challenges many families have to navigate when trying to access the support their disabled child is legally entitled to.
Taking the PIP
#TakingThePIP is a campaign led by deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent public figures, who came together to speak out against the government’s unfair proposal to cut disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health-related component of Universal Credit. The campaign demanded the immediate withdrawal of these proposals and a benefits system that is fair, allows disabled people to live with dignity and is co-designed with disabled people and disabled led organisations.
The campaign effectively utilised a number of campaigning tools, including a strong social media presence using the #TakingThePIP hashtag and an open letter to the Prime Minister and secretary of State for Work and Pensions signed by prominent public figures. It also used its platform to amplify the voices of other disabled-led groups and organisations working hard to fight for the rights of disabled people. Thanks to tireless campaigning efforts, the Government was forced to water down their proposals. While the bill now passed by Parliament is still deeply damaging to disabled people, without the high-profile campaigning of groups such as #TakingThePIP the legislation could have been even worse.
Mohammed Azeem
Mohammed Azeem is a passionate advocate for disabled people, campaigning alongside Sense and on local issues in his community. Mohammed, who is blind, has met with MPs and Ministers about his experiences, making sure disabled voices are heard by decision and policymakers. Mostly recently, Mohammed played a huge role in Sense’s work to oppose the government’s proposed benefits reforms, which if enacted would’ve seen hundreds of thousands of people plunged into poverty.
Speaking powerfully to media outlets including ITV in the West Midlands and Daily Mirror, Mohammed clearly laid out why cuts to his benefits, which he uses to meet his basic living costs, would be devastating for him. His efforts, alongside other campaigners, played a vital role in convincing the government to make a U-turn on some of its most harmful proposals.
I’m really happy and honoured to be recognised, and to be part of a great organisation like Sense. They’ve been very supportive during the campaigns and it feels like together we’ve really made a difference. My campaigning means a lot to me and I hope I can help improve society for disabled people like me.
Mohammed Azeem
Fundraiser of the year
Claire Reece and Steve Childerley
Claire was inspired to start fundraising by her son Hugo, who was born with CHARGE syndrome and was deafblind. Supported by Sense, Hugo achieved many amazing things, including visiting 10 Downing Street to campaign for disabled people’s rights and skiing with his four younger siblings on Sense family days. Following Hugo’s sudden death, aged 15, in November 2024, Claire and her partner Steve ran the 2025 London Marathon in his memory.
Claire carried Hugo’s photograph throughout the race and made every fundraising effort a tribute to him, including holding a karaoke night he’d have loved. The couple raised £8,200 for Sense and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, adding to the £6,000 Claire had previously raised for Sense in four earlier London Marathons. Claire sees being shortlisted for a Sense Award as a way to keep people talking about Hugo.
Fran Condry, Ed Condry and Helen Andrews
Fran joined forces with her father, Ed, and her fellow teacher, Helen, with whom she job-shares, to run the 2025 London Marathon. Together they raised a phenomenal £22,000 for Sense. The trio took on the gruelling challenge to celebrate Fran’s daughter, Mia, turning 18 just a few weeks later, naming themselves ‘Team Rocket’ after Mia’s middle name. Mia’s 18th birthday marked a huge milestone. When she was born, without eyes and with cerebral palsy, her family didn’t know if she would survive. But since then, Mia, who has good hearing and communicates verbally, has thrived. Supported by Sense since she was three, she now enjoys adventurous activities like adaptive skiing, surfing and abseiling. Fran and Helen trained for and ran the marathon together, while Ed completed the race at his own pace. Fran and Helen were especially touched by the £2,000 of their fundraising total that was raised by their pupils’ mini-marathon.
Fran said: “Taking on the London Marathon and raising £22,000 for Sense seemed the perfect way to celebrate Mia’s 18th birthday. Sense has empowered Mia to be the very best she can be throughout her life, ever since we found out about the charity when she was three years old.”
Sharon Sadler and Lily Pascoe
Sharon is the mum of Jordan, 32, who attends day services at Sense College Dereham. This year, the college wanted to purchase a mobile Acheeva bed that supports its user’s body in a variety of positions, allowing students to relax and focus on their learning and activities. But the college needed to raise £6,000 to buy one – a huge challenge for a small Sense centre.
Undaunted, Sharon, a teaching assistant at a local school, and her teaching colleague, Lily, decided to take on their first skydive together. Jumping out of a plane at 8,400 feet was terrifying – and raised £2,040, a huge chunk of the total needed. After the overall target was reached, the college’s new Acheeva bed arrived in August, and it’s now constantly in use.
We’re very close to the first anniversary of Hugo dying which still doesn’t seem real, but that makes being shortlisted for this Award extra meaningful. It gives us the chance to focus and tell people about Hugo. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t ever have become a fundraiser.
Claire Reece
Digital voice of the year
Nina Tame
Nina Tame wants to make the world a place that’s more disability aware. With a loyal following of more than 110,000 on Instagram alone, the disabled content creator says she sees her content partly as education for non-disabled people, and also as supportive of other disabled people.
Nina, who was born with spina bifida, says she noticed a real shift in people’s perceptions of her when she began using a walking stick and later a wheelchair, and at the same time her son had started school and was upset by the number of questions he was being asked about his disability. She decided to put up a post about being asked about disability. From there, she discovered lots of amazing disabled content creators and began sharing more content, challenging stereotypes and ableism, and posting about her experiences of being a disabled parent.
Amy Pohl
Content creator Amy Pohl says she’s “incredibly honoured and grateful” that her content has been recognised for making a positive difference in the world, after a tough battle through rehab where Amy “couldn’t even imagine a future for myself, let alone one where I’m recognised for something so positive”.
Former primary school teacher Amy, who has 3.7 million followers on TikTok and 224,000 followers on Instagram, started her channels from a bed in a neuro-rehab unit in 2020. Amy had developed a neurological condition called CRPS a few years earlier, and this caused her immense pain. Amy, who also has Ehlers-Dahlos syndrome, was in a dark place and felt like she’d lost her identity, but connecting with people online made her feel empowered and less alone. Amy says she uses her channels to show people that when life takes a different path, there can still be joy, community and purpose.
Mindlessly Megan
Megan Fathers’ social media channels have exploded from a humble 89 followers to a loyal audience of 60,000 since she began sharing her experiences of becoming disabled. Megan – who posts online at @mindlesslymegan – says the last few years have been a rollercoaster since she became disabled in 2021, but that connecting with the online community has brought her strength.
The content creator explains that she was diagnosed with a number of conditions after having an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, experiencing near-daily seizures and now spending most of her time at home caring for her children and her many animals, and her online advocacy. She decided to begin using social media to share her journey – including educational and advocacy content – in October 2021, to help other people in similar situations feel less alone.
Disability is so often shown in a negative light, and I want to show a different side. I want to educate people on what their rights are, and help people to advocate for themselves.
Mindlessly Megan
Volunteer of the year
Sarah Wardle
Sarah made an outstanding contribution this year volunteering on a Sense Holiday supporting disabled adults with complex needs. A former Teacher of the Deaf, Sarah brought a unique combination of skills, lived experience of deafness, and compassion to her volunteering.
On the Sense Holiday, Sarah supported disabled people with complex needs using British Sign Language and tactile signing, helping them fully engage in conversations. They also took part in activities together including kayaking, rock climbing and bushcraft. Her volunteering made a lasting impact, ensuring everyone on the holiday felt included and supported.
Rosie Andrews
Rosie has given the Sense charity shop in Penge eight years of dedicated volunteering. After retiring from managing the charity shop next door, Rosie brought her extensive retail experience to Sense, becoming a key part of the team.
Known for her reliability and commitment, Rosie regularly steps in when the shop is short-staffed and has even worked close to full-time when needed. She is known for her excellent customer service, creative shop displays, and her homemade cakes she brings to fundraising days.
Staff say she is adored by customers and an important fixture of the shop.
Martin Guy
Martin has made a huge difference to learners at Sense College Aldeby through his volunteering. Over the past year, he has become a near-constant presence at the centre, carrying out gardening, maintenance, and improvement work.
Martin has transformed the centre’s outdoor space, turning an overgrown garden into a vibrant, accessible area. His contributions include building raised flower beds, modifying a polytunnel for wheelchair access, installing sensory structures, and repairing a canopy. Inside, he’s helped renovate the reception area to create a library, cleaned gutters, and supported waste removal.
He also helped relaunch the centre’s Gardening Club, which now meets monthly. Martin is widely praised by fellow volunteers for his humility, generosity, and hands-on support that has made a lasting impact on the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
Simone
Simone has been volunteering as a Virtual Buddy for a year, and volunteered to be paired with a second Buddy in April, showing a high level of dedication. Simone has been consistently sensitive, thoughtful, and adaptive in her role as a volunteer. She has made a significant impact on both her Buddies, one of whom communicates using an eye-pointing device.
Simone approached her Buddy’s specific communication needs with sensitivity and thoughtfulness and provides engaging weekly sessions for them to both enjoy. Simone has also supported her other Buddy by not only reducing their social isolation through regular weekly video calls, but has gradually supported them to form a really special bond with themselves.
I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d been nominated for a Sense award. I’m passionate about being able to support the Deaf community and I’m happy to have had the chance with Sense to do this.
Sarah Wardle
Journalist of the year
Georgia Lambert
Georgia Lambert is an award-winning journalist at The Times, where she covers national policy and social affairs as a news and education reporter, with a particular focus on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). At The Times, she broke the exclusive story that Labour’s flagship education reforms could see Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) scrapped – a move with major implications for thousands of families. She has spoken out against cuts to support such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), prompting a lead letter by Lord Shinkwin in The Times and discussion in the House of Lords.
Living with a largely invisible disability, she writes about her own experiences of being misdiagnosed with what turned out to be a life-determining neurological condition. Georgia is a co-founder of News UK’s Disability in Journalism Forum and contributes to the national conversation on disability from a lived perspective.
Grace Marner
Grace Marner decided to pursue journalism after she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in her first year of university. Through support groups and disability schemes, she connected with others living with chronic conditions, inspiring her to ensure disabled voices are represented in the media.
Grace completed a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield, where she was a recipient of the Dan Walker Journalism Scholarship. After graduating, Grace became a reporter and newsreader in local radio across the UK. She used this platform to push for inclusion and representation of disabled voices in current affairs, alongside covering disability sports stories on a voluntary basis for campaign groups.
In 2022 Grace joined CBBC’s Newsround, the BBC’s news service for children. At Newsround, Grace has continued her passion for platforming disabled voices and reporting on stories that explore issues which matter to disabled children.
Jasmine Andersson
Jasmine Andersson is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo! News, where she covers social affairs. They are also a co-founder of The Second Source, an alternative network for women and non-binary journalists.
Jasmine previously worked as a reporter for BBC News and the equalities reporter at iNews. Her articles have also appeared in Stylist, The New Statesman, Vice, The Week and The Guardian.
This year Jasmine has covered the government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits extensively, including appearing on the BBC’s Access All podcast to update disabled people on the latest developments. They also reported on access to wheelchairs on the NHS, carers’ assessments, accessible public toilets and access to children’s social care, alongside countless other issues impacting disabled people. They consistently platform disabled voices and treat case studies with dignity.
Media moment of the year
Electric Umbrella getting a golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent
Electric Umbrella empower learning disabled and neurodivergent people through musical performances which demonstrate the power of inclusivity and celebrate disabled people.
Their performance of their original song ‘Acceptance’ on Britain’s Got Talent earned them a Golden Buzzer and touched people’s hearts around the country. The moment made headlines and racked up millions of views on social media, spreading Electric Umbrella’s message far and wide.
Nnena Kalu being shortlisted for the Turner Prize
Nnena Kalu is the first learning-disabled artist to be shortlisted for the Turner Prize, a highly prestigious annual recognition of the top British visual artist of the year. The jury praised Kalu’s “unique command of material, colour and gesture and her highly attuned responses to architectural space”.
Kalu is autistic with complex support needs and is known for her colourful large-scale sculptures. Her inclusion on the Turner Prize shortlist marks a watershed moment for disabled people in the arts, and demonstrates the message that there is no limit to what disabled people can achieve. This media moment was reported by The Guardian.
The Traitors finalists discuss disability
Over ten million people tuned in to watch the Traitors at the beginning of the year, making it one of the most popular reality TV shows of all time.
In emotional scenes, two of the finalists opened up on the show about how disability has impacted their lives. Jake Brown spoke candidly about having cerebral palsy, and Alexander Dragonetti talked about his late brother, who had a learning disability and would benefit from the short breaks provided by Mencap. Fans of the Traitors raised £30,000 for Mencap after the show aired, showing both the positive power of representation and the potential for TV to make a difference.
Accessibility at Bludfest
Artist YungBlud, who has ADHD, created his music festival Bludfest to be an “accessible and affordable” festival for everyone.
The festival this year included a large air-conditioned sensory space and an accessibility hub, gaining praise from disabled attendees. BludFest is a great example of what accessibility can look like at large events.
Community group fundraiser
Chesterfield Golf Club
Chesterfield Golf Club raised over £5,000 for Sense throughout the year through multiple fundraising events. Carol, who is Lady Captain of the club has supported Sense for years, as her son uses Sense services.
Beau Desert Golf Club
Beau Desert Golf Club hosted a brilliant ‘Beat the Pro’ golf challenge, showing a huge amount of support for Sense. They go above and beyond to support Sense and are hoping to raise thousands of pounds in total for Sense this year.
Keynsham Bowls Club
Keynsham Bowls Club picked Sense as their Charity of the Year in 2024 and raised £1,300 through various activities. Following the fundraiser, Sense staff were invited to their Christmas party for a sing-a-long and minced pies.
Weston Super Mare Lions Club
Weston Super Mare Lions Club chose Sense as Charity of the Year this year. They donated £2,000 to support Sense’s work, with funds coming from participation at a local Ale & Cider festival.
Community impact
Ali Swift, Wellbeing Coach
Ali, a wellbeing coach and founder of The Wellbeing Toolbox, has been a positive partner to Sense, offering monthly virtual wellbeing sessions to Sense’s Siblings and Young Carers group. These sessions are thoughtfully designed, engaging, and deeply supportive – equipping young people with accessible tools and strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and feel empowered in their unique journeys. Her gentle, inclusive approach resonates strongly with participants, creating a safe space where they feel heard, understood, and valued.
In addition to her regular virtual sessions, Ali also contributes to in-person events, bringing warmth, empathy, and energy that uplifts both attendees and staff alike. Her presence at these events enhances the experience for young people, helping them to feel part of a caring, supportive community.
Calvert Trust, Lake District
This year, Calvert Trust has supported three Sense Holidays, offering a fully accessible, welcoming, and expertly run environment where disabled people, families, and carers can come together to share joy-filled, inclusive experiences.
As a charity dedicated to enabling disabled people to achieve their potential through outdoor adventure, Calvert Trust brings values that closely align with those of Sense. Their commitment to inclusion and empowerment is reflected in every aspect of their service — from their fully accessible accommodation and facilities, to their enthusiastic, and compassionate staff.
Every member of the Calvert team goes above and beyond to ensure that each holiday is not only safe and supportive but also empowering and fun. Their personalised approach gives Sense’s holidaymakers the confidence to try new activities, push boundaries, and make lasting memories in a nurturing and encouraging environment.
Stockport Rhythm Gymnastics
In August 2024, Kerry—founder of Stockport Rhythmic Gymnastics Club—attended Sense Active’s Complex Disabilities in Sport workshop with no prior experience supporting disabled people with complex needs. Since then, she has embraced the training with remarkable enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment, becoming a catalyst for providing inclusive opportunities in her community.
Kerry has transformed her club into a welcoming space for disabled children, young people, and adults with complex needs, offering tailored gymnastics sessions that many previously had no access to. Her dedication has not only opened doors but also created a sense of belonging and joy for participants and their families.
Thanks to her efforts, more families are now connected to inclusive community activities, and children who once faced barriers are thriving in gymnastics sessions designed with their needs in mind.
Business for good
Irwin Mitchell
In partnership with Sense, Irwin Mitchell is delivering life-changing support through virtual legal clinics, offering free, trusted advice to disabled people and their families. By generously sharing their time and expertise, Irwin Mitchell’s team is creating safer, more empowered futures for those who need it most.
Compass Group
Compass Group Foundation’s support of the ‘Aspirations for All’ programme is transforming opportunities for disabled jobseekers by funding tailored services that open doors to inclusive roles within hospitality and beyond. Their generous grant is driving real change, creating meaningful career pathways and helping build a more inclusive workforce.
Allwyn
Allwyn’s Good Causes programme funds vital services and encourages strong staff engagement through a wide range of volunteering, fundraising, and awareness events. Their commitment plays a key role in building a more inclusive community and raising disability awareness across their organisation.
Inclusive business champion
Tesco
Tesco worked with Sense to create a ground-breaking range of inclusive communication cards, available in British Sign Language, braille, large print and textured formats—making Christmas, Mother’s and Valentine’s Day accessible for all communication needs. This sits alongside their in-store sensory support boxes, which include noise-cancelling headphones and communication cards, and their nationwide quiet hour scheme. Together, these initiatives demonstrate Tesco’s commitment to creating an inclusive shopping experience for all.
Nationwide
Nationwide has been a leader in promoting inclusive finance, most notably through its support of Project Nemo, a UK-wide campaign to improve disability access across the fintech industry. By backing innovative research and storytelling that challenges financial exclusion, Nationwide is helping to reshape services to better meet the needs of disabled consumers.
Primark
Primark has launched an adaptive clothing range designed in partnership with disabled people, offering accessible, affordable fashion for customers with a wide range of needs. Featuring easy-dress designs, sensory-friendly materials, and seated garment cuts, this collection makes inclusive style available on the high street at scale.