In light of the growing impact of the Coronavirus, Sense Scotland is reducing services.

We will continue to offer
services to disabled people and their families but are working on the over-arching
principle that our priority is the well-being of the people we support, our
staff and volunteers. The following measures are being put in place to
protect people and minimise the spread of the Coronavirus:

Supported Living Services
will continue to be delivered as normal. Other services will be delivered at a
reduced capacity. These are:

Respite, Children’s Services,
Group Services, all TouchBase Services, Arts and Music and Hillview and
Community Links.

If you receive a service from us, staff will explain what these decisions mean for you. Please appreciate that we are in an unprecedented situation and may not have the answers to all your questions at this time. 

The following will cease to
offer face-to-face activities:

• Early Years
  Programme
• Family
  Advisory
• One Giant
  Leap
• Our Voice
• Brownies
• Partners
  in Communication

We are looking at other ways –
online for example – of how these staff can support families who access these
activities.

All of the above is under constant review and subject to change. Sense Scotland is continuing to follow all official advice and have a dedicated planning and response team in place to oversee us through this challenging time.

Click here for general information on the Coronavirus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to staff?

Staff who provide essential services and who are able to work (i.e. where there is no risk to their health or the health of people they support) will continue to do so. However, we may need to redeploy staff to services with the most need. In line with official advice, those who can work from home will be asked to do so.

I am very anxious about
supporting my child at home for an extended period of time. What can you do to
help?

Sense Scotland are looking at various ways we can support families
during this time. Please keep an eye on our website and our social media
channels for details. Our Family Advisory Service are open 9am-5pm. Call 0300 330 9292 or email: advisory@sensescotland.org.uk  

How long will this
reduction in services last?

This is a developing
situation and we will make decisions in line with official guidance.

How will I be updated with
information?

Where a service provided by Sense Scotland has to change, we will speak
to the family directly about it. General information on Coronavirus is
available on Scottish Government and NHS Inform websites. Sense Scotland also has general information and advice including Easy
Read information on the website.

Are your buildings
closing?

No. We will continue to offer
reduced services unless there is a risk to people we support and our staff.

Will TouchBase Glasgow
remain open?

Yes, at a reduced capacity. TouchBase Glasgow’s Business Centre is closed, the café is closed to the public, but remains open for people we support and staff. The Milnpark St and Children and Families entrances will be open for use by our families.

Will your shops stay open?

Shops will remain open for
the time being.

What about fundraising
events? 

Events – including the
Glasgow Kiltwalk – have been postponed until further notice. Keep an eye on our
Facebook and website events pages for information and updates.

Are meetings with your organisation
postponed?

Following advice to stop
non-essential travel we will ask staff and partners we work with to have
meetings via phone or video link where possible.

Who can I contact?

Our Family Advisory Service are
open 9am-5pm. Call 0300 330 9292 or email: advisory@sensescotland.org.uk