Sense International
Analysis
Sense International is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in July 1999, 27 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, disability and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03742986). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information, sponsors or undertakes research and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Sense International reported income of £3.6m and spending of £3.3m, spending 91% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £2.3m to £3.6m (+55%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 34%. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Sense International sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Elders Foundation (£3.6m), Deafblind UK (£3.6m) and Butterwick Limited (£3.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 72% and charitable activities 27%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £99k. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 9.6%. Reserves of £275k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 57 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 70%
- Legacies 2.7%
- Charitable activities 27%
- Investments 0.3%
In the charity's own words
Sense International supports people with deafblindness and their families to be full and active members of society through work in health, early intervention, education and vocational training. We work with governments and in partnership with local organisations across these areas, addressing issues such as early diagnosis and family communication, immunisation and enabling supportive legislation.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Elders Foundation | Select County | £3.6m |
| Deafblind UK | London | £3.6m |
| Butterwick Limited | Stockton-On-Tees | £3.6m |
| Age UK East London | London | £3.6m |