About Sense Ability Matters

SAM exists for one reason: to make sure that a sensory impairment, disability or long-term health condition doesn't stop anyone from living a full, connected life. We work with people across South Tyneside and Gateshead to help them stay informed, feel empowered, and build the resilience to face whatever comes their way. Behind that work is a team of professionals and people with lived experience of disability and sensory loss. We don't just understand what our community needs, many of us have lived it ourselves.

How SAM can help you

Our vision is for disabled people and those with sensory loss across the region to feel informed, empowered and resilient. We're working towards that by:

Giving people the tools they need to live independently and make positive decisions.
Helping people build resilience and wellbeing when times are tough.
Making sure everyone can access clear, reliable information, advice and guidance.
Pushing for positive change locally, regionally and nationally on behalf of our community.

Each person receives tailored support, designed around what they need and when they need it.

Our services include:

Rehabilitation
Enablement assessments
Personalised support plans
Information and advice
Community and peer support
Group activities
Employment support
Digital support

Get in touch with our team for a chat about how SAM can help you or someone you know.

In one year, we support over 5,500 individuals. As a result,

87%

Reported being able to live more independently

84%

Reported feeling less isolated

92%

Reported feeling more confident and empowered

93%

Reported an improvement in emotional health & wellbeing

What our service users say

“After been contacted by SAM, it lifted my spirits so much. I had hit a brick wall and didn’t think I could find a way back, but you have lifted me out of my depression and talked me back to having a reason to go on. You have helped me back to living my life again”

“I’m so happy with all the support I have received from SAM. I feel like I have gone from having nothing for all these years to having all this help that I didn't even know was there.”

“Having the magnifier is a real life changer. I was able to read a full letter with ease for the first time since my eyes deteriorated. It feels liberating”

“Your charity made my life worth living again. I don’t think I could have survived without it.”

Meet the SAM team

Sarah French

Chief Executive

About Sense Ability Matters

How SAM can help you

In one year, we support over 5,500 individuals. As a result,

87%

84%

92%

93%

What our service users say

Meet the SAM team

Sarah French

Carol McAllister

Lorraine Watkins

Susan Dodds

Helen Mullen

Kirsty Elliott

Jane Ramsey

Andrea Pattison

Frey Wharton

Lydia Cumley

Karen Mallett

Paula Hill

Stephanie Cairns

Emma Clarke

David Appleton

Doreen Hudson

Stephanie Mogie

Claire Parker

Jack Wanless

Our Trustees

Lin Elder-Atterton MVO

Lynda Rhodes

Ian Hickson

Peter Kirk

Debbie Tindle

Councillor Fay Cunningham

Councillor Alex Geddes