to read the annual review. - Sense Scotland

Growing TogetherA year in the life of Sense Scotland is abouta shared journey taken by the people andfamilies we work with and staff and volunteersthroughout the country. We’ll reflect on howwe support the aspirations of the peoplewe work with by encouraging and advocatingfor greater independence, work and learningopportunities, which can help disabled peopleachieve greater control over their own lives.You’ll also hear about their fantastic creativityand talent and how we are still workingalongside families and carers to protecttheir rights. Throughout this, communicationis at the very heart of all these dailyexperiences and relationships.Bridge of Earn grow to love their gardenA group of older gentlemen As well as a learning experiencewith learning disabilities, who the sessions proved to be funwe support to live in Bridge for everyone involved:of Earn, have been exploring“They look forward to talkingtheir garden alongside theirabout their garden and what’ssupport staff and Joe Gibson,ready to eat,” Joe said.our Outdoor Activities“And when they made the holesCo-ordinator. Joe explained:for the onions in planters, they“Sandy, Raymond and Ivor were just throwing them andcame out fairly regularly tending fortunately just kept hitting theto their vegetables while John hole, it was amazing.”initially observed before helpingThe Moffat Trust Currently Fundtip up one of the bags, whichthe post of Outdoor Activitieswas a big step.”Co-ordinator.During the sessions Joe workedalongside support staff to helpget the men more involvedin the garden.Sense Scotland currently provide40,000 days of supported livingservices each year.4 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/20125

Working livesSupporting people to live independentlyWe’ve supported Gordon to liveindependently in Dundee fora number of years, having helpedhim make a well planned transitionfrom a long stay hospital inInverness. He’s now happy andsettled in his own flat, closeto his family.Over 330children youngpeople andadults receivesupportthroughoutthe day acrossthe countryThe garden at our respiteresource for adults in Dundeeneeded developed, so ourOutdoor Activities CoordinatorJoe Gibson worked with therespite manager Morag Watson,to see how Gordon couldcontribute. Following a £5,000donation from BT’s Give AsYou Earn scheme, Gordon wasemployed as a gardener at therespite centre, making sure thegarden is clear and accessible.“The donation enabled thegarden to be a place for peopleusing respite to enjoy and ithas led to Gordon achieving hisdream of getting a job”, said ourFamily Adviser Jackie Reid.16 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/201217

“…instead of making progress,my fear is we’re going backwards.”Working with families and carersSense Scotland families speak outDisabled people and their families are being hithard by cuts to the benefits and services theyneed to live their lives. Sense Scotland is part ofthe Hardest Hit campaign which opposes thecuts being made. The changes to welfare meanthat most disabled people and their families willlose income at a time when many are alreadystruggling to cope financially. The campaignbelieves these changes affect disabled peopledisproportionately. As part of a day of actionparents Hammy Kirkwood and Brett Millett,whose daughters uses our services, joined staffincluding our CEO Andy Kerr at rally in Edinburghalongside nearly 1000 people.Hammy said:“We have to make sure thatsupport remains there, becausethere’s pressure on councilsas well to make cuts, to makecuts where they shouldn’tmake them.”Brett talked about his concernsfor daughter Ruth:“I’m really concerned thatthese cuts that will affect Ruththroughout her life. I think thecuts really are damaging a lotof the progress that’s beenmade over the years withorganisations like SenseScotland…instead of makingprogress, my fear is we’regoing backwards.”Siblings Relateand Play DayBrothers and sisters who useour Parent Enabler Project (PEP)enjoyed a day exclusively forthemselves. PEP provides supportfor families who live with andcare for disabled children upto the age of 19. The childrentalked openly about their brotheror sister and shared informationand advice through fun activitiesand discussions. There was alsoa blind toy game session anda balloon land art session.Here are some of the topicsand responses from theyoung people.What is a disability?The word ‘disability’ canbe really hard to definebut the group had somegreat explanations:‘Find it difficult to understandthings’ and ‘Sometimesthey need help’.Me and my familyA lot of the young people’sbrothers and sisters have similardisabilities. They thought thatit was helpful to know that theyare not the only ones withthat kind of disability.What did thechildren thinkabout their day:“I’m not the onlyone with a sister witha disability.”“I will help mum pushmy brother’s chair.”“Even when I’m older,I won’t forget aboutmy sister.”What is communication?The group tried to understandhow difficult it can be tocommunicate if you can’tuse your voices.18 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/201219

Creativity and expressionThe Big DrawVisual arts tutors Mhari and Audrey engagedwith the children and young people we supportas part of the Big Draw festival, the world’sbiggest celebration of drawing. Tailoring thesessions around the needs of the young peoplethe sessions were a creative mix of experiencesacross a variety of sensory canvases using icingsugar, sculptural work and painting with lightand sound. Mhari Baxter, Visual Arts Tutor said:“People signed in with their fingertips, went onLast year, over5000 visualarts, dramaand musicsessions tookplace acrossScotlandThe event gave people thefreedom to successfully use theirimagination and free expressionto create experimental artworks.Participants successfullymarked out their identity withfingerprints and created otherinspirational drawings with light,food and themselves, such asiced hand and footprints.“It shows how art sessions canbring together groups of peoplewho may not usually workalongside each other, whileoffering opportunities to makeMharhi Baxter, Art Tutor:“…art sessionscan bringtogether groupsof people whomay not usuallywork alongsideeach other.”a scavenger hunt, took part in a sugar dustingfriends.” Mhari.ceremony, painted with natural pigments anddiscovered drawing with light.”Our front cover features oneof the light sessions fromthe Big DrawParticipant Gerard Simpsonsaid: “I really enjoyed takingpart as a team in the scavengerhunt…we should organise onefor Christmas.”20 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/2012 Sense Scotland Annual Review 2011/201221