HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Sense since 1989, visited Sense Touchbase Pears in Selly Oak, meeting long-standing volunteers and employees, key figures from the charity’s history – including the son of one of its founders – as well as families who have been supported by Sense over the years.
Sense was founded in 1955 by two mothers, Peggy Freeman and Margaret Brock, who contracted Rubella during pregnancy causing their children to be born deafblind. They set up the charity to show that with the right support children with complex needs could thrive. Sense now directly supports over 32,000 disabled people and their families a year, in people’s homes, in centres and in communities across the country. Its hub in Selly Oak, called Sense Touchbase Pears, has been supporting local people since it opened in 2018.
During her visit, The Princess Royal attended a performance in the hub’s theatre space, hosted by disabled broadcaster and journalist Samantha Renke. The session included reflections on Sense’s history from people with different connections to the charity, including Sense’s Chief Executive, James Watson-O'Neill, and The Princess Royal herself.
HRH also visited an art installation that showcased heartfelt letters written by people connected to Sense. These letters, sharing personal hopes for the future, pay tribute to the charity’s origins – when its founders began a simple newsletter to connect other parents of deafblind children.
James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive at Sense, said:
“We’re really proud of Sense’s history and the incredible impact the charity has had, supporting hundreds of thousands of people to connect with the world. It’s a true honour to share this milestone with our royal patron.
“It’s been fantastic to welcome guests who have been part of this journey over the years. Our 70th anniversary year is not only a chance to celebrate the past, but look to the future. While we’re proud of the vital support we provide, we know there is more to be done – I have no doubt that together we can keep working towards long-term change for disabled people with complex needs in the UK.”
For more information about Sense, visit: www.sense.org.uk