About Us

About Us

History and Background

Founded in 2004, the service, previously known as the North Regional Association for Sensory Support (NRASS), emerged from a passion for uplifting marginalised voices and building a more equitable community. What began as a small initiative driven by a handful of dedicated volunteers has evolved into a trusted charity that advocates for individuals with sensory loss. Our journey is a testament to resilience, as we have faced some of the most challenging times in our history, including government reforms, local authority cutbacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis. 

With a significant dedication from our small team of professionals and knowledgeable Trustees and Committee, abundant creativity, and a steadfast commitment to making a genuine difference in people’s lives, we have continued to build on strong foundations.

Acknowledging the changes that have occurred over the past couple of decades, we are keenly aware of the evolving needs of the community and have recently undertaken a transformation to enhance our profile and focus our efforts on areas that no other organisation serves within the sensory loss community. We believe in innovative initiatives and holistic approaches, rather than merely signposting to other organisations that lack the resources or professional qualifications to effectively engage with a significant portion of the community, attempting to replicate what others in the voluntary sector are doing. Sensory Support UK is all about leading the change, not emulating it.

Mission, Vision and Values

At the heart of everything we do are our guiding principles:

Mission: To empower individuals by providing independent, accessible advocacy, mediation, reliable information, and sound advice, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Vision: To cultivate a community where inclusivity is standard, every voice is acknowledged, and all individuals have equal access to the services and support they require.

Values: Empathy. We commit to listening deeply and understanding each unique journey with compassion, integrity, and unwavering confidence, while respecting our clients' privacy. 

Integrity: Every decision and action is made with the utmost transparency and accountability. 

Innovation: We consistently pursue innovative and practical solutions that meet the evolving challenges in our community. 

Community Partnership: Collaborating with local stakeholders is essential for enhancing collective impact and driving systemic change.

Meet the Team

Our strength lies in our people. The Sensory Support UK team consists of a blend of skilled professionals and passionate volunteers dedicated to our cause. Whether coordinating advocacy work, providing one-on-one guidance, or developing community programmes, every team member plays a crucial role in our mission. We offer an independent personalised approach where our team communicates face-to-face in BSL, ensuring individuals can engage in their first language with ease and confidence. All our staff are DBS checked and trained to the highest standards in:-

Safeguarding -  best practices for supporting individuals with sensory loss, emphasising accessibility, risk identification, and clear reporting procedures. It reinforces compliance with safeguarding standards, equipping staff with essential tools to maintain a safe environment and respond effectively to concerns.

Equality and Diversity -  Fostering an Inclusive Environment for Individuals with Sensory Loss. We have explored strategies to eliminate barriers, promote equal opportunities, and integrate accessibility into all aspects of service delivery.  We recognise the importance of addressing unconscious bias, ensuring fair representation, and embedding inclusivity into mediation and advocacy work.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Training – Demonstrating awareness of emotional support and sensitivity in interactions while fostering a supportive and accessible environment, especially for individuals with sensory loss. We explored strategies to recognise and address mental health challenges, promote resilience, and ensure inclusive communication. The training highlighted key principles of trauma informed care, stress management, and safeguarding approaches tailored to diverse needs.

Trauma Informed Practice – emphasising the importance of providing empathetic, safe, and accessible support for individuals with lived experiences of violence or systemic challenges. We are equipped to recognise trauma responses, fostering trust, and adapting communication to ensure inclusivity.  We implement strategies to reduce re-traumatisation, maintain professional boundaries, and integrate trauma-sensitive approaches into mediation and advocacy work.

Confidentiality & Data Protection – Ensuring that individuals feel safe when sharing sensitive data. Staff explored best practices for handling confidential records, maintaining compliance with GDPR, and fostering trust through transparent communication. Secure data storage, access controls, and protocols for responding to breaches are our priorities. 

Continuous learning – reinforcing that the team actively seeks opportunities to enhance its skills to serve the community better. We prioritise professional development through ongoing workshops, policy refinements, and engagement with emerging technologies to improve accessibility. Moving forward, we will continue fostering a culture of learning to adapt to evolving challenges and strengthen our impact. 

Our Chairman has lived in Gateshead for several years and serves as the representative on the Cabinet for Adult Social Care and as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Gateshead Council.

Councillor Adams was elected to the Council in the 2014 elections and works as a special needs teacher in North Tyneside. He has expertise in teaching children on the autistic spectrum who have moderate to severe learning difficulties and is a member of the NASUWT.

Councillor Adams has been a member of the Labour Party since he was a teenager. In the past, he has worked as a Labour MP in the House of Commons and served as a Special Advisor to a Labour Cabinet minister. Having worked for a left-of-centre think tank (IPPR), he wrote and spoke about regional economic issues and unemployment. He first moved to the North East when he was asked to open the North East office of IPPR.

For many years, Rosalind Copeland, a resident of Southwick, Sunderland, has played an active role in her community and has served as Vice Chair of Sensory Support UK for around 13 years. A former councillor, Rosalind is a well-known presence in the area, devoting her time to various causes and staying engaged following the loss of her husband.

Alan Brown has been the dedicated Honorary Treasurer of the Charity since its inception, bringing financial expertise and strategic oversight to ensure the organisation’s sustainability and growth.

With a background in banking and financial management, Alan previously worked for Barclays Bank, where he honed his skills in financial planning, risk management, and resource allocation. His expertise in fiscal responsibility and long-term budgeting has been instrumental in shaping our economic stability and supporting its mission to enhance accessibility and advocacy.

Alan’s commitment to transparency, ethical financial practices, and strategic funding ensures that the service continues to thrive while providing essential services to individuals with sensory loss. Through his guidance, meticulous financial oversight, and dedication to inclusivity, he remains a pillar of support within the organisation, helping drive sustainable growth and impactful service delivery.

Jacqueline Wanless is a dedicated leader committed to driving accessibility and advocacy initiatives that empower individuals with sensory loss. With a strong background in social policy, welfare, and law, she combines strategic expertise with a hands on approach to systemic change. 

Jacqueline holds a First Class Honours degree in Social Policy, Welfare, Law and Advice, and is currently pursuing her Master of Laws (LLM) in Mediation & ADR, deepening her knowledge of legal frameworks and policy development. Her other qualifications include:

British Sign Language CACPD Level 2

NCFE Level 2 Accounting

Level 3 Accessible English (Text Modification)

Level 3 Electronic Notetaking Skills

Level 2 Communicating & Guiding Deafblind People

Level 1 Deaf Awareness & Communication

Advice UK Learning to Advise 10 Week Programme.

Her extensive experience includes working with RNID, supporting legal processes at Northallerton Magistrates on the Witness Programme, and providing consultation advice to a leading Domestic Violence organisation in the North East and Yorkshire. Through these roles, Jacqueline has actively shaped accessibility policies, provided expert guidance on advocacy initiatives, and contributed to improving justice system accessibility for individuals with sensory loss. 

Currently, she is leading the way to implement impactful projects addressing mediation, accessibility, and violence against women and girls (VAWG), ensuring service provision aligns with best practices and strategic priorities. She excels in creating tailored outreach strategies, developing structured communication policies, and integrating innovative technology to enhance accessibility. 

Her commitment to continuous learning, negotiation strategies, and cognitive bias analysis strengthens her ability to drive systemic change. By leveraging partnerships and innovative solutions, Jacqueline strives to create a lasting impact, expand services, and break down barriers for individuals with sensory loss.

Kay Hewson‘s qualifications and skills include the following:

Level 3 C&G Advocate

Level 3 BSL

Level 2 Communicating and Guiding DeafBlind

Level 3 Evaluating the needs of DeafBlind adults

Understanding acquired DeafBlindness

Understanding D/deaf and D/deafblind equality

Sexual Health Awareness

Substance Misuse Awareness

Mental Health Awareness

Diabetes Awareness

With a strong commitment to accessibility, fairness, and empowering individuals through informed representation. She has extensive experience navigating complex processes and ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive the necessary support. 

Her dedication to continuous learning and strategic representation strengthens her ability to support individuals in accessing justice effectively.

With a keen eye for policy development, mediation strategies, and rights-based advocacy, Kay plays a pivotal role in promoting accessible services and ensuring that individuals with sensory loss and other vulnerabilities receive equitable treatment within legal frameworks. 

Her approach combines precise welfare advice with empathetic representation, ensuring that individuals feel heard, understood, and supported throughout challenging processes. By championing inclusive advocacy, Kay strives to make a lasting impact on accessibility and legal empowerment.

Kelly Murphy is a profoundly Deaf educator and advocate dedicated to enhancing accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf community. With a strong background in education and advocacy, she combines expertise with lived experience to drive meaningful change.

Kelly holds a C&G Level 4 Advocacy qualification, equipping her with the skills to support individuals in navigating complex systems and securing their rights. She is also BSL Level 6 qualified, ensuring effective communication and empowering Deaf individuals through accessible engagement.

As a Specialist Supply Teacher in the North East, Kelly has worked extensively to support Deaf students with additional disabilities and implement inclusive teaching strategies tailored to diverse learning needs. Her approach prioritises language accessibility, educational equity, and student empowerment, fostering positive learning environments for individuals with sensory loss.

With a passion for advocacy, education, and systemic reform, Kelly continues to champion accessibility in both professional and community settings. By combining teaching expertise with a deep understanding of Deaf culture and policy frameworks, she strives to create lasting impact and promote inclusivity at all levels.

With a passion for advocacy, education, and systemic reform, Kelly continues to champion accessibility in both professional and community settings. By combining teaching expertise with a deep understanding of Deaf culture and policy frameworks, she strives to create lasting impact and promote inclusivity at all levels..

Sarah Dobson plays a vital role in supporting the operational and financial sustainability of accessibility focused initiatives. As a dedicated administrative and fundraising specialist, she ensures that essential services remain well-structured, funded, and efficiently managed to maximise their impact.

Sarah holds a BA (Hons) in Russian & Philosophy, bringing a unique analytical and cross cultural perspective to her work. Her expertise spans Project Management, Accounting for Business, and Level 2 British Sign Language (BSL), equipping her with the skills to drive effective fundraising, streamline operations, and foster inclusive communication within accessibility services.

With additional qualifications in Sexual Health Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, and Substance Misuse Awareness, Sarah is deeply attuned to the complexities of advocacy work. She actively integrates her knowledge to enhance service accessibility, ensuring support structures address a wide range of needs.

Her passion for fundraising, strategic administration, and community driven outreach strengthens her ability to secure vital resources and champion sustainable growth within the service. Through meticulous planning and commitment to inclusivity, Sarah continues to contribute to the expansion of impactful programs that support individuals with sensory loss.

Testimonials and Success Stories

The impact of our work is best told through the voices of those we have supported. Here are a few testimonials that capture our transformative journey:

"The support I received was life changing. Sensory Support UK not only helped me access critical services but also empowered me to advocate for myself." 

 – A grateful community member

"Joining this charity on their focus groups and forums has been the most rewarding experience. Their commitment to inclusivity and personalised support continues to inspire me every day." 

 – A dedicated volunteer

Each testimonial reaffirms our belief that every story matters and fuels our ongoing commitment to compassionate, impactful advocacy, mediation and advice.