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Annual Review 2012/13 Sense Scotland
“…it is the most valuable service I have come across!”
A parent whose family is supported by Sense Scotland.
Welcome to Sense Scotland
Sense Scotland works with children, young people and adults who have complex communication support needs. We operate throughout Scotland and support people to live independent lives.
Our Strategic Objectives
- We will support service users and families to be active and involved
- We will lead in the provision of high quality service provision and service development throughout Scotland and internationally
- We will grow in order to provide moreservices to more people
- We will be the employer of choice, recognised for our commitmentto staff development and training
- We will harness the views of thosewe serve and support them to organiseand campaign
- We will work and grow sustainably
Our Values
- Be open and honest
- Recognise individual worth
- Build relationships through trust
- Act on the basis of individualsaspirations and needs
- Be accountable
Families are facing challenging times
In an extract from a short film about this Annual Review, Sense Scotland Chair, Roy Cox, and Andy Kerr, Chief Executive discuss the highlights of the year. You can view the film on our YouTube channel.
Roy: The main challenge we faced was to maintain the quality of our services. We achieved this by enhancing our governance procedures, allowing us to check and monitor that we continue to provide valued support. The main concern for parents is to maintain the funding that will enable us to provide the high quality services that they deserve.
Andy: Sense Scotland, and the whole sector, are facing a substantial squeeze on funding combined with welfare reform. But we continue to innovate and respond to these challenges, for example we are developing our approach to ensure even greater personalisation of the services we provide.
Overcoming challenges
Andy: We are focussing on quality and have set up our Quality Assurance programme. We’re investing in new roles to support that quality effort and we’ve invested massively in training, for frontline staff, supervisors and for our managers. At a time when others are reducing investment in training, we’re doing the opposite.
This investment in our staff and their skills will allow us to provide a huge range of quality services for people with complex communication support needs.
Celebrating our successes
Roy: Looking back over the last year, my favourite occasion was the Staff Awards. It’s always an emotional time for me, as it shows their dedication to the people we support. We were also especially pleased to welcome the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who helped present our awards.
The other satisfying thing for me was our Service User Conference. This event and the Service User Consultation Group provide the people we support a real platform to share their views, celebrate their achievements and to communicate what it is that they want.
Andy: I’m very proud and privileged to be the Chief Exec and leader of Sense Scotland. The Annual Review aims to give just a flavour of the many wonderful and fulfilling experiences shared by the people we support, their families and our staff. I hope you enjoy reading this review.
Cover art by Amir, who is supported by Sense Scotland. From ‘Pressings’ exhibition.
Festival of Celebration:
This years’ Service User Conference celebrated people’s achievements
throughout the year. Delegate feedback:
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to have our say and have our voices heard.”
Beyond expectations
Award winning project breaks the mould
A group of young adults had support during the summer and Autumn holidays in Dundee as part of our Better Breaks project thanks to the Scottish Government Short Breaks Fund.
The aim was to give the participants new challenges which could take them beyond both their own and their carer's expectations.
The young people experienced pursuits including nature walks, barge trips, canoeing, cycling and abseiling. There was also the chance to get creative with music recording sessions, fashion design and a day of visual arts at Dundee Contemporary Arts. As well as being popular with the young people, the team supporting the project gained national recognition as Sense Scotland’s Team of the Year.
Family Feedback:
Di Di, a young man, who uses a wheelchair became a star participant in the abseiling activity. Photographs of this adventure were shown to his grandmother. She said she would cherish this for the rest of her life, as she never ever thought she would see him doing something like this.
Short Breaks Fund logo
The Scottish Government logo
Matthew’s journey
Matthew is nearly 17 years old and in 2012 celebrated his tenth year with Sense Scotland’s Children and Young People’s services. He has also started attending our One Giant Leap transitions project. Beverley, who works with him reflects on his time with Sense Scotland:
Life is a journey
“It’s nice to see those transitions. I’ve seen him grow from a wee boy to a young man.”
Matthew is very clear about the things he enjoys at TouchBase:
“Dancing and music…going for a walk.” And he loves to talk to his friend Katie who works in the TouchBase café. His Dad Andy said:
“Since Matthew has been involved with
Sense Scotland his welfare and the standard of support has been excellent…they shape the service around Matthew.”
“No one comes to our house asking for Matthew to go out and socialise. The service Sense Scotland provides goes a long way to alleviating social isolation. We want him to be fully integrated into society and be as independent as possible.”
Ross, who we support in Ayrshire, works at our TouchBase centre in Glasgow. Mum Ann said:
“Ross has been supported from being quite a quiet person to being more confident… He enjoys it and talks about it. If it hadn’t been for Sense Scotland coming in, he wouldn’t be where he is today.”
Taking centre stage
Home: a personal story
In May 2012, our performance group premiered a new production called ‘Home’ at the Platform Theatre in Glasgow. It focussed on what home meant to the group. Jon Reid, our Creative Arts Tutor and director of the play explained:
“The performance explored home as a place of sanctuary and safety, a scary new venture, a place of staff and routines, a lonely place and a place of warmth and family. It’s a fantastic journey the group have been on.”
The actors communicated through a variety of ways, including signing, gesture and vocalisations.
Actor Yvonne talked about the group’s work on ‘Home’:
“Ian and Anne dance, Eilidh and Ian do the burglar scene. It’s the first play I’ve been in...It’s about us, acting ourselves in a house.”
Asked what she enjoyed about the experience most Yvonne said:
“...being with other people.”
Audience feedback:
“Enjoyed immensely. Found it very atmospheric, uplifting and moving.”
Thanks to:
Esmée Fairbairn logo
Agnes Hunter Trust logo
Artform logo
R S Macdonald Charitable Trust logo
Time and space
‘It is Is it’ turns Kelvingrove into a living artwork
In April 2012 we supported a group of young artists to explore, share and respond to the vast range of spaces and objects found at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum as part of the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art (GI). The collective happenings and exhibition were titled ‘It is Is it’.
Shireen was one of the studio group which had their work displayed at Kelvingrove. They created artworks based on their rituals and collections, which in Shireen’s case was a series of intricately rolled coloured threads, presented in small bottles and mounted on a number of pins.
Mum Belle talked about the film featuring the artists, shown in Kelvingrove as part of the exhibition: “Shireen was looking at it and laughing. She explained to me exactly what she was doing, ‘she was rolling’ and then she was putting it in the bottle. She clapped because she was so proud of herself. So it was great, fantastic!”
The final public event involved a group which had been discovering and rediscovering Kelvingrove via ‘live happenings’ which mapped individual movements and sounds, through time and space.
You can view a short film about It is Is It on our YouTube channel.
Participant Feedback:
“This was a joyful and inclusive experience. I enjoyed it so much.”
Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art 2012 20 April 07 May logo
A year with Sense Scotland
April 2012
Sense Scotland host Hustings for local election candidates at TouchBase.
It is Is It exhibits at Kelvingrove.
May 2012
Home premieres at Platform Theatre.
Dundee music night raises £600.
June 2012
We launch our new logo.
Sense Scotland host Carers week event - with information and relaxation sessions.
Chris and Rebecca climb Mount Kilimanjaro raising £3,938 for Sense Scotland who support Rebecca’s big sister Ruth.
New charity shop opens in Ayr.
Kingdom: A play by Lori Duncan who we support in Dundee shows at the Little Theatre. Supported by The Robertson Trust.
July 2012
Creative Scotland support our Youth Music Initiative to increase opportunities for young people to access our music programme.
Olympic Torch at TouchBase:
As part of the build-up to the 2012 Olympics, Andrew Macintyre one of the official torchbearers visited TouchBase and met a group of young people.
August 2012
TouchBase Glasgow extension programme begins. Made possible through a Scottish Government grant from the Enterprise Growth Fund and a Legacy gift from a Sense Scotland donor.
New Dundee Charity Shop.
September 2012
Sense Scotland host DbI Outdoor Network week in Cairngorms.
October 2012
Festival of Celebration - Annual Service User Conference.
November 2012
Sense Scotland hosts major European seminar – with funding from the European Commission to participate in a major project looking at indicators of disability equality in Europe.
‘People in my Life’ Gordon, who we support through services in Dundee gathered his artwork together for an exhibition.
December 2012
Carol Concert - Christmas carol concert at Glasgow City Chambers was an evening of music and celebration as schools and Sense Scotland’s Touchbeats spread seasonal cheer with beautiful singing and musical soundscapes.
January 2013
Funding for Sensory Mapping project: Year of Natural Scotland supports new project to create tactile, sensory artworks mapping areas of the natural environment across the North East, East and West regions of Scotland.
February 2013
Our annual LUV Fete raises over £800 for Children and Young People’s services.
March 2013
Italian Scottish Fashion Show Dinner at Gosford House, East Lothian raises over £500 for Sense Scotland. Thanks to the Italian Consulate for organising.
Expanding horizons
Ardlui Holiday for One Giant Leap
Ardlui, our short breaks resource in Helensburgh hosted the first One Giant Leap holiday, a long weekend of parties, day trips, great food and great company.
One Giant Leap aims to improve transitions for young people who are moving from school to adulthood and is highly valued by its members. The weekend break offered activities including a curry and Mama Mia sing-along, swimming pool and the Sealife Centre visits. It was a packed holiday. A favourite event was the Saturday night party, from a weekend where friendships and independence grew even stronger.
Parents Brian and Marie Gallagher said:
“Danielle had a wonderful time. She loves spending time with her One Giant Leap friends.” …and Danielle added:“Thank you One Giant Leap.”
The holiday was funded by Mr Derek Stirling and the Jennie S Gordon Memorial Fund.
One Giant Leap is funded by - Big Lottery Fund Lottery Funded logo
A new home in Fort William
Towards the end of 2012 we supported three people to live independently in new homes in Fort William.
Funded by Highland Council the specially renovated house provides each person with a fantastic home, on the doorstep of a thriving local community.
We have already been supporting one individual, Katie, in her own home in Glenfinnan for more than seven years. Her new flat is right next to the shops and a range of activities which she enjoys.
Highland Health and Social Care worked closely with ourselves, the tenants, their families and carers to ensure the move to their new homes ran smoothly.
Mark with interactive arts installation by Sense Scotland artist in residence Ewan Sinclair. Funded by Creative Scotland.
Creative Scotland Alba Chruthachail logo
Print from ‘Pressings’ exhibition.
Making our voices heard
Watch Hardest Hit Film
Last year we joined families on a day of action as part of the Hardest Hit campaign which highlighted the huge impact that welfare reform is going to have on disabled people and their families. This year, in October, as part of the Hardest Hit Coalition, we put together a film called ‘My Rights My Independence, My Life’
Paul Heneachon from East Ayrshire explained why he felt it was so important to make the film: “It’s not until you hear the accounts of those affected that you truly understand what welfare reform will mean for real people. This film will help us tell our story. I hope it makes people sit up and take notice.”
As the welfare changes continue we will continue to support people who are affected to have their voices heard.
Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Welfare Reform
Read the factsheet on our website Policy section under ‘DLA and Benefits Changes’
Poster
My Rights My Independence, My Life
Our Rights Our Independence, Our Life
The Hardest Hit
Fight cuts to disability benefits.
Partners in Communication
Launched in 2012, with support from the Scottish Government Equality Fund, Partners in Communication (PIC) is an inclusive communication programme run by Sense Scotland.
It aims to improve the involvement and inclusion of people with complex communication support needs across Scotland.
Led by Sense Scotland’s Paul Hart the group will improve our own practice by developing appropriate communication tools and approaches to better involve and include the people we work with.
Paul said:
“As well as sharing what we learn about improving involvement and inclusion of people with communication support needs, Partners in Communication will provide information and resources online, run seminars, give presentations to Local Authorities, other organisations and individuals.”
As a result of the programme people with complex communication support needs should:
- Have greater influence over the services they want
- Have more choice and control over their care and support
- Be able to have their voice heard and play a more active role in the life of their communities
Find out more about Partners in Communication
at email:
Or go to:
The Scottish Government logo
A world without barriers
International Outdoor Network
In September 2012 over 30 people from Scotland, England, Norway and Denmark took part in the first Deafblind International (DbI) Outdoor Network gathering at Glenmore Lodge Outdoor Centre in the Cairngorms. They experienced challenging journeys along difficult mountain paths, river crossings, canoeing over lochs and of course the chance to socialise and share their different cultures.
The event organiser was Joe Gibson, Sense Scotland’s Outdoor and Physical Activities Co-ordinator. He said:
“This is the first year that we met as the DbI network. It’s a chance to try different activities based in the outdoors, to share different experiences and ideas, and explore different cultural perspectives of the outdoors.”
Håkon Lie, Andebu Deafblind Centre Norway:
“…if you are talking about sensory experiences, then wind and rain, it’s really something you notice.”
Angus, Support Worker, Glasgow (winner of Staff Inspiration Award) – accompanied Marshall:
“When he did finish the walk he was laughing and that’s a good indicator that he’s thinking, ‘Yeah I’ve done that. It was great. It was difficult but I did it’…”
To watch a short film on the DbI Network visit our YouTube channel.
Murray Farqharson, Dundee:
“It was great crossing the river and walking in the water. I like to do a lot of adventurous things, I am in other words an action man!”
Sense Scotland hosts major European seminar:
European Commission funding supported a major project looking at indicators of disability equality in Europe. 21 visitors from 8 different countries came to Sense Scotland to consider indicators around the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to share best practice from each country and challenge ourselves with new ideas and approaches.
The Gannochy Trust logo
Our thanks to:
Organisations and companies