Sense Uckfield

09/10/2026

Today the UK government published their independent review into mental health conditions, autism and ADHD.

James Watson-O’Neill, chief executive of the national disability charity Sense, said:

“Many of the disabled people with complex needs Sense supports are autistic, have ADHD or mental health conditions. Every day, we hear about the barriers they face getting the right support to learn, stay well and find work.

“We should welcome greater recognition and understanding of these conditions, rather than criticising people and families for seeking answers and support.

“For too many disabled people and families, getting a diagnosis has become the only way to access the understanding, adjustments and support they need. People shouldn't have to wait for a diagnosis before getting the support they need.

“We strongly welcome the review's recommendation that support should be based on individual need, rather than diagnosis alone. The Government must now put this principle into practice across education, healthcare, social care and welfare, so disabled people can get the right support at the right time.

“It's also vital that disabled people with the most complex needs aren't overlooked. We welcome the review's focus on better national data and specialist provision for this group. These services must be protected and strengthened as wider reforms are taken forward.

“Ultimately, success shouldn't be measured by the number of diagnoses or shorter waiting lists alone, but by whether disabled people have a better quality of life, more choice and control, and the opportunity to participate fully in education, work, relationships and their communities.”

06/10/2026

Support Sense when you shop at Decathlon UK this October.

As Decathlon UK's Charity of the Year, we're proud to be partnering to support more disabled people with complex needs to access inclusive sport and physical activity.

When you reach the checkout, you'll have the option to make a donation to Sense. Every donation, no matter how small, can help fund life-changing support and inclusive activities that build confidence, improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.

So, next time you're shopping at Decathlon, please consider adding a donation when you pay.

Together, we can break down barriers so everyone has the power, choice and control to live the life they choose.

02/10/2026

Reports today suggest the government is considering a range of major welfare reforms, including changes to the Universal Credit health element for under-25s alongside increased employment support. These are reported proposals and no decisions have been announced.

Sense is clear: disabled young people should get the support they need to find and stay in work – but not at the expense of their financial security.

We must also recognise that some disabled people will never be able to work. They must have the financial security and support they need to live with choice, dignity and independence.

Government must remove the barriers disabled young people face, not the vital support they rely on.

https://bit.ly/3VoRbFs

02/10/2026

Meet our friend Rosie! She recently smashed our sports day at our Leeds and Wakefield Centre!

From table tennis, snooker and basketball, to badminton and cycling – Rosie and her friends loved getting sporty.

There was energy, enthusiasm and smiles from start to finish, with the fun-filled day leaving a lasting impression.

Emily, the service manager, said: "It was a fantastic day! It was so good to enjoy new activities that we'd not tried before, in our own space. We were all still buzzing about it days after. "

A huge well done to everyone who got involved and helped to make it such a fantastic afternoon.

01/10/2026

The Sense Awards 2026 shortlist is here!

It's the 23rd Sense Awards, our annual celebration of disabled people with complex needs and the communities around them.

We received incredible nominations this year, and our judges had the difficult job of choosing the shortlist. Our judges are broadcast journalist and actor Ruben Reuter, and our Experts by Experience Charlotte, Emma and Scott.

Meet the nominees in each category:
Person of the Year
Young Person of the Year
Family of the Year
Campaigner of the Year
Fundraiser of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Digital Voice of the Year

Their stories are full of courage, determination, kindness and joy. Congratulations to every one of them.

Winners are announced in November on our social media channels so be sure to check back!

Read about the 2026 nominees here: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/sense-awards/sense-awards-2026-shortlist/

30/09/2026

We’re back home from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, and what a few days it’s been!

This year, Levi, a second-year student at Sense College Loughborough, came along with us. He met with Alan Milburn, who’s leading an independent government review into rising youth unemployment, to talk about his college experience and his plans for the future.

Levi also spoke brilliantly and shared his experiences on a panel called ‘Education for all – how can mainstream inclusion work for disabled children?’

And he still found time to film his experience and share why it’s important for disabled young people with complex needs to have their voices heard and be part of these conversations.

Thank you Levi for coming along, sharing your story and ensuring disabled young people are included in discussions about their education and futures.

You can read more of Levi's story here: https://www.sense.org.uk/blog/taking-my-voice-to-the-labour-party-conference-levis-story/

[Video description: Levi is wearing a purple Sense polo shirt and answers questions directly to camera with a view across the River Mersey behind him. The video also includes shots from throughout the conference including of Levi speaking on a panel, smiling and receiving a round of applause, Levi meeting Alan Milburn, Levi and his mum, Jackie with Sense CEO, James Watson-O'Neill, and shots of a busy conference centre with Labour Party branding.]

29/09/2026

We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to reforming social care and the ambition to make it free at the point of use.

This is a significant moment for disabled people, families and social care workers. Their voices, experiences and expertise must be at the heart of what comes next.

Now we need action alongside ambition, with investment in the care workforce and support services today, while longer-term reforms are developed. Done well, this is an opportunity to build a social care system that helps everyone live more independent, connected and fulfilling lives.

We stand ready to work with government, alongside disabled people, families, care workers, to help build a national care service that works for everyone.

29/09/2026

Great discussion on the future of social care at the Labour Party Conference fringe event: ‘A National Care Service: From Vision to Delivery’.

Thank you to Fabian Society and Joseph Rowntree Foundation for hosting.

James Watson-O'Neill, CEO of Sense, joined Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Care, and fellow panellists to discuss how a National Care Service can deliver more personalised, preventative and sustainable support.

At Sense, we believe social care reform must give disabled people with complex needs greater choice, control and independence. Support should be built around people, not systems, with co-production at its heart.

28/09/2026

We’re at Labour Party Conference this week.

It’s an important opportunity for us to meet with politicians and key decision-makers, and to make sure the voices of disabled people with complex needs are heard.

As well as our CEO, James, and our policy team, we’re joined at the conference by Levi and his mum, Jackie.

Levi is in his second year at Sense College Loughborough and is passionate about raising awareness of the support young people like him need to access education, training, volunteering opportunities and employment.

Here’s what Levi had to say about why being at conference matters to him: "It feels important [to be here]. I've never been to a conference before, but everyone is here to listen to you, and to try and get your voice out into the community and the world, and make everything better."

Pictured - Levi and his mum, Jackie, with Sense CEO James Watson-O'Neill and Alan Milburn. Former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn is leading an independent government review into rising youth unemployment

27/09/2026

The government have announced that thousands of young disabled people are set to be offered a fast-tracked job under the Jobs Guarantee.

We welcome investment that gives more young disabled people the opportunity to get into work.

Too many who want to work are still locked out by barriers, including a lack of appropriate support, inaccessible workplaces and negative attitudes.

These jobs must be accessible, work for the individual and lead to lasting opportunities. Young disabled people need tailored support and inclusive workplaces, and success should be measured not just by how many start a job, but whether they have the support and opportunities to build the future they choose.

Read more here -
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-09-26/thousands-of-disabled-young-people-to-be-offered-work-in-job-guarantee-scheme

20/08/2026

Young disabled people need support, not more cuts.

That's why we've joined with 41 other charities calling on the Government not to cut the health element of Universal Credit for young people. Instead, we're calling for investment in better support and access to opportunities, to improve the lives of young disabled people.

Join our campaign against disability benefit cuts by signing our petition now: https://bit.ly/45D3YG7

20/08/2026

Yesterday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that bus travel will be free disabled people, at any time of day, anywhere in England, from next April.

This is hugely welcome news. It will remove a significant financial barrier, helping more disabled people get around, connect with others and take part in their communities.

Disabled people already face substantial extra costs, from higher energy bills to specialist support. Our research shows just how tough this can be. Disabled people with complex needs are ten times more likely than the general public to have recently run out of food and been unable to afford more.

Free bus travel is an important step towards giving disabled people more freedom and choice, including the chance to access work and training. But there’s still more to do. The government must tackle the other financial and practical barriers disabled people face, from making energy more affordable and protecting disability benefits to making sure the wider transport system is affordable and accessible.

18/08/2026

Áine's story shows what's possible when a disabled child with complex needs gets the right support.

But Anne, one of our specialists, knows not every family gets that chance.

In her blog, link in bio, she wrote, "What keeps me up at night is knowing we can't reach every child who needs us."

Every day without the right support is another day a disabled child with complex needs can feel cut off from the world.

With your donation, we can reach more children earlier. We can help more families connect. We can unlock more worlds.

Please give today.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4fZ3uAf

12/08/2026

When Claire first came to Sense, she was looking for ways to connect with her daughter, Áine.

She found so much more.

She found specialist support that understood her daughter's needs, a place where they both belonged, and the confidence to celebrate every new milestone together.

Today, Áine is "mixing, interacting with other children" and Claire knows they don't have to face things alone.

"You feel like you belong somewhere. You can get the information you need, or if they don't have it, they know where to direct you."

Every family deserves to feel seen, supported and connected. We're so proud to be part of Claire and Áine's journey.

Read Claire's story here: https://bit.ly/4z5SMiC

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

Our Director of Influencing, Harriet Edwards, is on BBC Breakfast today to talk about why everyone should have the opportunity to work, contribute and fulfil their ambitions.

Harriet will be discussing the importance of creating meaningful employment opportunities for disabled people with complex needs, and what needs to change to make workplaces more inclusive.

Stay tuned!

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

Sense desperately need your clothes, adult and teenage paperback books, and brick a brack. If your having a clear out we would love your items.

23/07/2026

Sense desperately need your clothes, paperback adult and teenage books. Also brick a brack items. Thankyou

23/07/2026

Take on the Richmond Marathon for Sense!

Join Team Sense on Sunday 13 September and take on London's flattest marathon.

Starting in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, you'll tour the gardens, pass iconic historical landmarks, run alongside the River Thames, and finish in Richmond's Old Deer Park at an all-day family music festival.

Ready to go the distance and support disabled people with complex needs? Sign up today: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-sense/events/richmond-marathon-2026/