Championing Makaton at The Meath

“I was approached to learn Makaton and become a trainer for The Meath because I already had an understanding of British Sign Language (BSL). At the time, it was thought that my existing knowledge would help me progress more quickly.

However, after looking into Makaton, I felt it was important to go right back to the basics rather than assume it would be the same as BSL. Although there are similarities, there are also important differences, such as some of the hand shapes and the use of symbols. I found Makaton really interesting to learn.

As I developed my skills, I realised that Makaton is much more than learning signs. It’s about communicating in a way that meets each person’s individual needs. Using Makaton helps build trust, confidence and meaningful relationships. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact it has on people’s ability to express themselves and be understood. Seeing that difference has inspired me to continue developing my skills and to help others gain the confidence to use Makaton in their everyday communication.”

“Becoming a Regional Makaton Tutor involved several stages of training and assessment. At the time, I first completed the Foundation and Enhanced Makaton courses, which took a total of five days. I needed to complete both courses with the same tutor, as the next step was an intensive week-long residential Tutor Training course. At the end of the week, candidates were assessed and awarded either a conditional or unconditional pass.

After successfully completing the residential course, I returned to my original tutor to co-deliver part of one of their training sessions. They assessed my teaching skills before recommending me to become a tutor. I then obtained my Makaton licence through the Makaton Charity, which enables me to deliver accredited Makaton training.

Since becoming a tutor, I have used Makaton regularly in my role and have seen first-hand the difference it makes to people’s lives. That experience has reinforced my passion for helping others develop the confidence and skills to communicate more effectively. It is incredibly rewarding to see learners grow in confidence and then use Makaton to make communication more accessible, inclusive and meaningful for the people they support.”

“I use Makaton every day when communicating with the people we support, whether that’s during conversations, activities, meetings or simply greeting people. Using signs alongside speech helps make communication clearer, reduces anxiety, and enables people to express themselves more confidently. It’s also a wonderful way of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood.”

“Promoting Makaton is an important part of my role. I encourage colleagues to use signs in everyday interactions and support them in developing their confidence. I deliver Makaton training and am able to give refresher sessions. The more people who can use even a few signs, the more accessible communication becomes for everyone.”

“I run Makaton training throughout the year for staff, volunteers, family members and anyone who wants to develop their communication skills and gain confidence using Makaton.

I have also delivered sessions for residents themselves, as they must have the opportunity to learn and develop their own communication skills, not just have others learn to communicate with them. Seeing residents gain confidence and use Makaton to express themselves is incredibly rewarding.

For me, every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and Makaton is a skill that continues to grow through practice and everyday use. The more people who understand and use Makaton, the more inclusive and connected our communities become.”

“Supporting The Meath Choir is one of the highlights of my role. Music is such a powerful way to bring people together, and using Makaton alongside singing ensures that everyone can participate more fully in the performance. I love seeing choir members express themselves through both singing and signing. It adds another dimension to the performance, allowing audiences to engage with the songs in a meaningful and inclusive way.

I enjoy seeing the confidence and sense of achievement it gives the choir members. Even if the residents just use one sign, that one sign can be incredibly powerful. It gives them another way to communicate, to be part of the performance and to express themselves. You can see the pride on their faces when they perform, knowing they are contributing in their own unique way.

For me, that’s what Makaton is all about—breaking down barriers, creating opportunities for everyone to be included and celebrating what people can do rather than focusing on what they can’t.”

“As an extension of my support for The Meath Choir, I was also proud to work as a Makaton Interpreter at Choir Blast in June. The Meath Choir performed alongside other local, regional and national community Choirs at the popular Festival in Godalming. It was wonderful to incorporate Makaton at the community event.

I feel Makaton added a visual and emotional element to the performances that really brought the songs to life. It created a more inclusive atmosphere, allowing more people to engage with and understand the meaning behind the music. It wasn’t just me using Makaton either—The Meath Choir and several of the other choirs I supported also incorporated signs into their performances. It was fantastic to see so many people embracing Makaton and making their songs even more accessible.

It was also wonderful to see audience members joining in with some of the signs, creating a real sense of togetherness and shared enjoyment. Makaton helped break down communication barriers and demonstrated that everyone can take part, regardless of their communication needs. It reinforced the message that music is for everyone and showed how something as simple as signing can help people feel included, connected and valued.

I hope it also inspired others to learn a few signs themselves and recognise the positive difference Makaton can make—not just at events like Choir Blast, but in everyday life too.”