Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister meets disabled children and adults at landmark disability hub

Sense Hub Belfast, run by the national disability charity Sense, delivers specialist services to local people 

27 February 2026 – Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, visited a landmark community hub in Belfast on Wednesday 25 February 2026, to meet disabled children and adults whose lives have been transformed by the charity.

Sense Hub Belfast, the first centre of its scale in Northern Ireland from national disability charity Sense, provides vital services and a lifeline of support for disabled people with complex needs and their families. The service was officially opened in September 2025, and in the past six months has helped support disabled people through services including an adult day centre, inclusive arts and sports programmes, and specialist play sessions for disabled children under 12.

With around 52,000 disabled people with complex needs in Northern Ireland – one in five of them in Belfast – Sense Hub Belfast marks a significant expansion of support at a time when demand has never been greater. Sense has been delivering specialist support to disabled people with complex needs and their families for more than 70 years. Founded in England, the charity is this year marking 40 years of supporting disabled people in Northern Ireland.

Emma Little-Pengelly toured the Hub, located on Annadale Avenue, to meet families supported at the service, as well as staff, volunteers and friends of the charity.

Martin Walls, Head of Operations Northern Ireland at Sense, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome the Deputy First Minister to Sense Hub Belfast, a service we’re so proud of at Sense, that’s making a real difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs living in Belfast and the surrounding areas.

“Sense has been supporting disabled people with complex needs in Northern Ireland for 40 years, a milestone anniversary for the charity – we’re so pleased to be able to expand our support through Sense Hub Belfast, to provide tailored support to meet the diverse needs of our people and families.

“The Deputy First Minister spent more than an hour touring our services, meeting families and learning more about our charity. She got stuck in, playing adapted volleyball with people we support, and was particularly struck by the range of services we offer and the need for such a modern facility in the heart of the community.

“I hope this marks the start of a positive working relationship going forward, as we continue working towards our goal of a more inclusive Northern Ireland.”

For more information about Sense Hub Belfast, visit: Sense Hub Belfast – Sense