Makaton Friendly
Create an inclusive space where everyone can thrive
Becoming Makaton Friendly is about more than just communication — it’s about creating welcoming, inclusive environments where everyone feels valued, understood, and empowered to participate.
Whether you’re part of a café, a health centre, a school, or a heritage site, implementing Makaton can transform the experience for individuals who rely on it to connect and communicate. By introducing Makaton-friendly practices, you’re not just supporting individuals — you’re fostering a culture of inclusion and accessibility that benefits everyone.
Apply today!
What does it mean to be Makaton Friendly?
A Makaton Friendly space:
- Empowers individuals to make choices and express themselves confidently.
- Provides tools like signs, symbols, and trained staff to enable effective communication.
- Builds trust and reduces anxiety through consistent support and welcoming environments.
- Demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and accessibility for all visitors.
With Makaton, you can create a place where everyone — no matter their communication needs — can thrive.
Our vision
Our vision is to build a network of passionate advocates who champion communication and drive accessibility and inclusion within their communities. Through Makaton Friendly, we aim to create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to connect meaningfully with others.
The guiding principles of Makaton Friendly
To become Makaton Friendly, organisations should actively demonstrate these principles:
- Embrace understanding and patience – Approach communication with empathy, respecting diverse ways individuals express themselves.
- Allow time and space – Ensure individuals have the time and space they need to communicate in their preferred manner.
- Foster inclusivity – Cultivate a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
- Provide staff support – Equip your team with the skills and confidence to support individuals facing communication challenges.
- Use clear signage – Implement clear symbols throughout the environment to aid easy navigation and identification of key areas.
- Use Makaton! – Confidently and consistently integrate Makaton signs and symbols into verbal and written communications.
By applying these principles, you can create a truly inclusive space where everyone can thrive.
Explore how Makaton Friendly works in different settings
Education
Whether it’s early years settings, mainstream schools, or specialist education, see how Makaton helps children navigate their day, engage with peers, and grow in confidence.
Community, Hospitality & Heritage spaces
From cafés to heritage sites, sports centres, and libraries, discover how Makaton can help visitors feel included, navigate spaces confidently, and participate in events and activities.
Learn more about Community, Hospitality & Heritage spaces
Health Settings
Create a calmer, more supportive environment in your GP practice, hospital, or dentist’s office with Makaton-supported signage, training, and communication boards.
Learn more about Health settings
Why become Makaton Friendly?
- For your community: Empower visitors to feel confident, make choices, and engage in their environment.
- For your teams: Equip your staff or volunteers with skills to support everyone effectively.
- For your organisation: Build a reputation as an inclusive and welcoming space, encouraging loyalty and recommendations.
How to become Makaton Friendly
There are clear steps that an organisation needs to take to achieve Makaton Friendly status:
- Connect with a Tutor: Develop a working relationship with a Makaton Tutor who will guide you through the process.
Contact a Makaton Friendly Tutor today
- Undergo training: The level and amount of training required will be agreed upon in collaboration with your Makaton Tutor, tailored to the needs of your setting.
- Purchase Premium Group Membership: This provides access to essential tools like signs, symbols, and resources to embed Makaton into your environment. With Premium Group Membership you have Makaton at your fingertips 24/7!
- Embed Makaton in your environment: Demonstrate how you are implementing the Guiding Principles of Makaton Friendly in your daily practices to create an inclusive and supportive environment.
- Apply for Makaton Friendly status: Once you’ve completed these steps, apply directly on the Makaton website for a cost of £50. Organisations can enrol at anytime: if you join between 1st January and 30th September, your status lasts until 31st December of the same year; if you join between 1st October and 31st December, your status extends until 31st December of the following year.
Apply for Makaton Friendly status
Annual enrolment
Become Makaton Friendly for just £50 per year.
Enrolment runs on an annual cycle, from 1st January to 31st December. You can sign up anytime during the year, but please note:
- If you sign up from 1st January to 30th September, your Makaton Friendly status will be valid until 31st December of the same year.
- If you sign up from 1st October to 31st December, your Makaton Friendly status will be valid until 31st December of the following year.
Makaton Friendly pack
Upon registration all Makaton Friendly organisations will receive a Makaton Friendly Pack to support you to implement Makaton and foster a culture of inclusion.
The pack includes:
- Annual Makaton Friendly window sticker: To publicly demonstrate your Makaton Friendly status.
- Annual Makaton Friendly certificate: To recognise your commitment to being Makaton Friendly.
- 6 Steps to Makaton Friendly poster: A staff-facing guide to embedding Makaton in daily practices.
- Ask for Help poster: A customer-facing resource encouraging people to request assistance if needed.
- 10 A5 Symbol cards: Directional signage to help with navigation and accessibility in your setting.
In your first year, as you embark on your Makaton Friendly journey, as a welcome gift you'll receive our bestselling Everyday Vocabulary Flashcards and a Makaton Friendly small bundle pack, featuring practical items like a branded pen, badge, and lanyard worth over £20!
These resources are designed to support you on your Makaton Friendly journey!
Start your journey today
Ready to make a difference? Becoming Makaton Friendly is straightforward, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Get in touch with a Makaton Tutor to develop a tailored plan for your setting and get started!
Contact a Makaton Friendly Tutor today
If you are unable to find a Makaton Friendly Tutor in your area, please get in touch with the Makaton Places team on [email protected]
Ready to apply?
Together, let’s create a world where everyone can communicate, participate, and thrive!