Photo: Signbridge Deafblind people are human beings just like us and you just have to think that if you were in that position you would want somewhere to share things with. It’s nice to do something to make other people happy Marcia Gaynor, Sense Holidays volunteer

Sense holidays began over 30 years ago, with just a couple of families taking their deafblind children on holiday and providing support for each other. Since then it has grown to the point where Sense take over 100 deafblind holidaymakers on holiday each year.


The holidaymakers come from a variety of age groups from 18 months upwards and there is a special holiday for older people who include holidaymakers in their eighties and nineties.


Hannah Watson, Holidays Co-ordinator at Sense said: “Holidaymakers come from a variety of ethnic groups and we also want to attract a diverse range of volunteers.”


Each volunteer is given practical training and a manual before embarking on a holiday and there is an experienced paid leader on every trip: “to guide them and support them throughout the whole week,” Watson told Weekend Black Britain.


Group sizes vary from three deafblind people and five supporters to seven deafblind holidaymakers: “It’s very much a team effort,” said Watson.


Speaking to Weekend Black Britain about what they look for in volunteers, Watson said: “All that we ask is that the volunteers are enthusiastic, committed to the week’s holiday and willing to learn.”


Volunteers must be aged 18 and over by the start of the holiday, for insurance purposes but there is no upper age limit.


Forty-two year old Marcia Gaynor is a busy PA but has been volunteering for Sense for the last five years, after learning sign language. But she told Weekend Black Britain: “You don’t have to be an expert in sign language to become a volunteer – anyone can do it.”

Volunteer Marcia Gaynor

Gaynor said that since becoming a volunteer she has been to a variety of different places but stressed: “You always have to remember that the holiday is about them and you have to be passionate about what you do.”

Gaynor told Weekend Black Britain that she really enjoys her role as a volunteer, and explaining why she felt it was important for others to come forward and become volunteers, she said:

“Deafblind people are human beings just like us and you just have to think that if you were in that position you would want somewhere to share things with. It’s nice to do something to make other people happy.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with Sense Holidays can contact Hannah Watson on 0207 561 3306 or follow the links below to send an email or visit their website.