Disabled artist named charity's person of the year

Paul Hickin, who has a learning disability and is deaf, was recognised at the 2025 Sense Awards,

An artist from Birmingham has been named "person of the year" by a national disability charity.

Paul Hickin, 56, was one of the first people to move into a residential service run by the Sense charity in the city 30 years ago.

Mr Hickin, who has a learning disability and is deaf, received the accolade at the 2025 Sense Awards after illustrating a children's book and painting a picture that was gifted to the organisation's retiring chief executive.

"Paul is a kind, caring and thoughtful person, as well as a gifted artist, and he richly deserves to be named Sense's Person of the Year," said Eve Holloway, care manager for Sense in Birmingham.

The charity said the book he illustrated — called Ben and Betty Visit the Circus —made a "vital" contribution to its wider work as it was a sensory story used to provide stimulation and fun for disabled children.

"The book he illustrated involved months of planning, presentations and work, and is an amazing recognition of Paul's talent," said Ms Holloway.

"Hopefully, it will be a launch pad for more artwork and publications in future."

The charity said Mr Hickin had "thrived" in the residential service, and filled his living room and bedroom with his original artworks.

"When it was founded, this service was a visionary project, supporting disabled people to move away from institutional settings into their own homes," Ms Holloway added.

"Paul has lived here and been a vital part of our community from the very beginning."

The awards had more than 100 nominations for disabled people and their supporters living across the UK.

Strictly Come Dancing finalist Tasha Ghouri was one of five prominent disabled judges who decided the winners.

Of his win, Paul said: "Thank you. I feel very happy to win."