The Sense Awards recognises the outstanding achievements of people with complex communication needs, as well as the staff, carers, family members, volunteers and fundraisers that support them.

This year’s special guest host is disability correspondent and TV Presenter, Nikki Fox.

There are 12 categories in total, including ‘Person of the Year’, Young Person of the Year’, Sibling of the Year, and ‘Volunteer of the Year’.

The ceremony takes place at Sense’s pioneering multi-purpose venue, TouchBase Pears, in Birmingham on Thursday 20 September.

Nomination shortlist

Person of the Year

Simon Giles
Lucy McKenna
Marcos Sanjurjo-Preito
John Churcher

Young Person of the Year
Skye Cohen
Laely Begum and Jenny
David Fernandes
Abdullah Mohammed
Harry Headland

Sibling of the Year
Johnson Lewis
Ethan Howarth
Hayden Meredith
Carer of the Year
Naomi Weare
Satnam Kaur
Inge Ahmad
Chandrika Gopalakrishnan

Volunteer of the Year
Amy Thomas
Matthew Boyce
Emma Bowie
Amelia Steeds
Fundraiser of the Year
Stu and Tim Mather
Chris Brennan and Lindsay Wickham
Paramjit Gakhal
Gabrielle Pearce

Collaboration of the Year
Birmingham Community Libraries
Henry Fraser
Mazars

Diane Cardwell Sense Award for Professional Excellence
Nicky Jones
Kirstie Haywood
Harwood Gardens Staff Team
Tower Hamlets Buddying Programme

Peggy Freeman Exceptional Contribution to Sense
To be revealed on the day.

Quality Service Award
To be revealed on the day.

Journalist of the year
To be revealed on the day.

Parliamentarian of the year
To be revealed on the day.

About Sense:

Sense is a national disability charity that supports people with complex communication needs, including those who are deafblind, to be understood, connected and valued. Sense supports children, young people and adults in their home and in the community, in their education and transition to adulthood and through its holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes. Sense campaigns passionately for the rights of the people it serves, and offers practical help and support to families and carers, including information, advice, short breaks and family events. For more information please visit www.sense.org.uk