Hundreds of people across England will take to the streets next week, to raise awareness of the needs of the people with complex disabilities. The walks, organised by the national disability charity Sense, will promote well-being, and healthy living, and also provide an opportunity to engage with local communities.
The walks will take place for Deafblind Awareness Week (24 – 30 June 2018).
The public are invited to participate in the free walks, which will involve people with complex disabilities, support workers, families, staff and volunteers from local Sense services. Seven walks are confirmed, including in London, Cambridge, Birmingham and Exeter.
Richard Kramer, Deputy CEO of disability charity Sense, said:
“The walks have been designed to raise awareness of Sense and the needs of the people we support, and to promote our local Sense services. It’s a fun and healthy activity, and a great way of forming connections in the community. We hope that as many people as possible come out to join us.”
The initiative is inspired by Roger Mulholland who was deafblind and died aged 29 in September 2015. A man of many achievements, in June 2015, Roger organised a sensory walk in his home city Exeter, for deafblind people and the wider community. In 2016, inspired by the memory of Roger, a mass sensory walk took place in Exeter, led by the Deputy Lord Mayor.
This year’s opening walk will take place on Saturday 23 June in Exeter, organised by Roger Mulholland mother, Jane Mulholland.
A list of regional walks is outlined below.
Location | Date | Time |
Exeter Quay | Saturday 23 June | 11am |
Lowestoft | Saturday 23 June | 1pm |
Lincoln, Hartsholme Country Park | Sunday 24 June | 11am |
Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park | Monday 25 June | 11am |
Cambridge, Sense shop on Burleigh Street | Thursday 28 June | 10.30am |
Peterborough, Ferry Meadows Country Park | Thursday 28 June | 11am |
TouchBase South East, Barnet | Friday 29 June | 10.30am |
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