{"id":83090,"date":"2026-05-07T14:18:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?p=83090"},"modified":"2026-05-07T14:19:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:19:48","slug":"at-our-family-days-we-do-the-planning-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/at-our-family-days-we-do-the-planning-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"At Sense Family Days, &#8220;we do the planning for you&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-acf-row alignfull\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wrap\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-acf-row__inner\"> \n\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-acf-row-item  \"> \n  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caroline.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a woman's face. She has long brown hair with a fringe and blue glasses on. \" class=\"wp-image-83096\" \/ style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caroline.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caroline-600x480.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caroline-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caroline-500x400.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div> \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-acf-row-item  \"> \n  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-secondary-tint-10\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>Caroline Twohig has worked at Sense since 2013. In her role, she helps support the delivery of services for children and young people with multi-sensory impairments (MSI). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Caroline spoke to us about one of the favourite parts of her job, running Family Days, which are funded entirely through generous donations from supporters like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/thanks.sense.org.uk\/page\/185938\/donate\/1?en_txn9=WEBB2a&amp;ea.tracking.id=blog-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Support our Family Days appeal today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div> \n<\/div>\n\n<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">What can you expect at a Sense Family Day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In three words: joy, community and support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>At our centres, we include activities to stimulate the senses, for example: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>Food-themed activities &#8211; cake\/biscuit decorating, exploring fruits and veg, baking rice krispy cakes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arts &amp; Crafts activities, often alongside some messy play. Things like sand, Play-Doh, snow, and painting. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Music activities &#8211; musical instruments are a great cause and effect opportunity, and music alongside resonance boards ensures people can feel the vibrations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to our sensory room for relaxation, plus usually a sensory story or similar activity to take part in. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Snake-family-day.jpg\" alt=\"A young man is smiling widely, as a lady places a long yellow snake into his hands.\" class=\"wp-image-86382\" \/ style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Snake-family-day.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Snake-family-day-500x579.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mylo and Anne, our senior multi-sensory impairment practitioner, are coactively exploring a long yellow snake. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>External events are chosen in a number of different ways<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We choose venues that are both fun and accessible, making sure they have features such as Changing Places facilities with hoists and changing beds, as well as good wheelchair and buggy access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&nbsp;choose a range of activities and events that appeal to different interests and provide new, fun experiences for children and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great example is a visit to a zoo. While many zoos are accessible, it can still be difficult for our children to get close enough to truly experience the animals. We know this and run closed events at the venue where families can have a close-up encounter with the animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">Why do you think Sense Family Days are so important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our events create opportunities for shared joy \u2013 enjoying shared play, shared fun and shared moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And at the same time, they also allow families to come together and build connections, sharing their experiences and supporting one another. Bringing families together who are experiencing similar challenges can be incredibly valuable for parents<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Family events bring families together, as our founders did in the very beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-textured-primary-tint-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I say this a lot, that it takes a village to raise a child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of parents of deafblind or disabled children with complex needs find that the village shrinks, as people don&#8217;t know how to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our family events connect families and really do bring that village back \u2013 all while having fun doing something exciting.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">How do you ensure that Family Days are appropriate for disabled children with complex needs? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A well-planned range of activities <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We do a lot of planning to ensure that there are a variety of options for children, with different age-appropriate activities on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, older children might take part in activities such as climbing or spa-style wellbeing activities, while younger children can enjoy early years activities like soft play sessions or sensory stories.  While we have different activities to cater for different ages, anyone can take part in any activity they want; we never say no! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There really is something for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-1024x594.jpg\" alt=\"Oakley is stood to the left of James. He has a concentrated face after shooting an arrow at the target. They are both looking to the right and reacting to Oakley's shot.\" class=\"wp-image-83285\" \/ style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-1024x594.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-600x348.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-768x445.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-1536x891.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-2048x1188.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-500x290.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/James-Loughborough-1600x928.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Oakley and James are shooting arrows, with a big red bow, at a family event at Sense Hub Loughborough.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having access to a personal care space that has a hoist and a changing bed is essential for our events. We often bring a portable hoist and a change bed, and have an assigned room available for our use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of our family events might be at SEN-friendly sessions at an external venue. In these situations, we can work with the venue to make it more inclusive, like having a quiet room available for people who may need a sensory break, or turning up the lights and turning down background music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are creative and if we can make something work, we will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">How are different themes or activities chosen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The themes fit around different occasions throughout the year. Every season or occasion can have a sensory story element to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>In winter, we look at Christmas or winter elements, such as ice, snow, and festive food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> In spring, we explore grass, flowers or perhaps animal experiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In summer, we would include ice creams, sandcastles and water. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In autumn, we explore pumpkins, leaves, conkers and natural elements. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/water_wonder-002.jpg\" alt=\"Two young women are stood side by side, touching hands and smiling. They are both wearing life jackets and rain coats.\" class=\"wp-image-86322\" \/ style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/water_wonder-002.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/water_wonder-002-600x490.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/water_wonder-002-768x627.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/water_wonder-002-500x408.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A summer boat trip <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">What makes our Family Days special and unique?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a sentence, it is because <strong>we do the planning for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-textured-grey-tint-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Parents of disabled children can often feel anxious when taking their child anywhere new, because of the barriers that are often presented in their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At our Family Days, we do everything we can to break down those barriers, so when you arrive, there\u2019s no need to feel anxious &#8211; just ready to enjoy a fun day!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"957\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-1024x957.jpg\" alt=\"Xander is stood on the pdeal pushers. His mum is holding his hands for support. They are both laughing and looking at the ground trying to balance.\" class=\"wp-image-86303\" \/ style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-1024x957.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-600x561.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-768x718.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-1536x1436.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-scaled.jpg 1925w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-500x468.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SenseSCE.70_2025-_65_-1600x1496.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alex and her son Xander are enjoying an afternoon of circus skills &#8211; plate spinning,  diabolo throwing and his favourite, the pedal pushers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our family events are also <strong>always free<\/strong>, so anyone, no matter their budget, can access them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We understand the importance of families being able to experience fun times together outside of their family homes. Brothers and sisters need shared memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All our events include the wider family, especially siblings! We also get grandparents joining in, which is lovely. Our activities are accessible to all, so siblings also get to have fun and take part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sense isn&#8217;t just for one particular child in a family, we are here for all of the family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">What is most rewarding for you, personally, about Sense Family Days?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Running Family Days require a lot of planning, but nothing beats the joy on the day, as well as those small achievements that are met with huge celebrations. It\u2019s wonderful to watch the children grow in confidence over time and to see families connecting and supporting one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A family in siling clothing posing as a group\" class=\"wp-image-10297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Megan-and-Family.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sense families at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre in July 2017. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of my favourite moments recently was a parent telling me that she and her daughter talk about me on the way to our events, and they say, &#8216;we&#8217;re going to see &#8216;Sweet Caroline&#8221;, and they sing it together. Can&#8217;t get more rewarding than that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-title-primary\">Why are donations from supporters so important to Family Days in particular?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our Family Days are funded entirely through charitable donations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without these events, families would have fewer opportunities to explore, learn, and try new experiences together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The families who come really do benefit so much from the opportunities that you make happen, and it couldn&#8217;t happen without your support. Thanks for being part of our team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-82055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leo_ball_pit_family_days_v2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leo playing in a ball pit at our Sense Centre in Barnet. The Family Day was called &#8216;Let&#8217;s have a ball&#8217; and was themed around play with balls!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-green-tint-10\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will you give a gift to support a child like Leo to have a ball on a Sense Family Day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just \u00a340 could buy a set of specialist sensory balls in different sizes, colours and textures \u2013 just like the ones Leo had so much fun with on his Sense Family Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/thanks.sense.org.uk\/page\/185938\/donate\/1?en_txn9=WEBB2a&amp;ea.tracking.id=blog-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donate today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Caroline from our children&#8217;s service writes about what you can expect at a Sense Family Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":309,"featured_media":83096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"display_author":[358],"class_list":["post-83090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","display_author-caroline-twohig"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/309"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83090\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83090"},{"taxonomy":"display_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/display_author?post=83090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}