Makaton Beyond the Classroom: Making Communication More Inclusive in Our Communities

When most people think about Makaton, they might picture a nursery, school or a parent learning signs to support their child, but Makaton can be useful in so many more place!.

As a Makaton Tutor, I have had the pleasure of providing training for a wide variety of organisations and groups, including museums, hospitals, churches, community groups and even horse riding settings. What I love about this is seeing how Makaton can become part of everyday life, helping people feel more included wherever they are.

WHY COMMUNICATION MATTERS EVERYWHERE

Being able to communicate is something most of us take for granted. We can ask for help, make choices, tell someone what we want, join in conversations and explain how we're feeling.

For someone who has difficulty in communicating through speech, everyday situations can sometimes be much more challenging.

That's where Makaton can help

Makaton uses signs and symbols alongside speech to support understanding and communication. It can give people another way to express themselves and, just as importantly, give the people around them a way to communicate with them. Even learning a small number of signs can make a difference!

MAKATON IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Every organisation is different. A hospital may want to improve communication with patients, while a museum might want to make activities more accessible. A community or leisure group may simply want to make sure everyone can take part.

That's why I offer bespoke Makaton training tailored to the setting and the people using it.

You don't need to know hundreds of signs. Starting with the words and situations that are most useful to the people you support can be a great way to introduce Makaton more naturally.

MAKING COMMUNITIES MORE INCLUSIVE

I love showing organisations that Makaton isn't just something used in a classroom; it can become part of everyday life - at work, in the community, during activities and when accessing services.

If you'd like to explore how Makaton could work in your organisation or group, I offer friendly, practical training tailored to your needs.

Lets make communication more accessible and inclusive, one sign at a time!