My name is Ellie, and I work as a gymnastics assistant coach. I work alongside my coach, Jo Dicken. I teach preschool gymnastics at Stainsby Gym. I have been doing this role for seven years now.

I have been fortunate to have known Jo all my life, and once I left school, she offered me a position with her. I use Makaton as part of my coaching. This helps me to explain to the children what I want them to do, and it also helps them to understand me, as I sometimes have a little difficulty with talking.

The children have learned many signs, and it always makes me happy when they show me what they know. I love my assistant coaching role. I feel valued and respected by my coach, Jo, the children, and the children’s parents and carers.

I have worked hard to gain some qualifications with British Gymnastics, thanks to Jo. This has helped me to start planning activities and sessions for the children and also to feel confident delivering these skills.

I have been involved with gymnastics since I was six months old, and for many years I knew it was something I wanted to do as part of my career. Jo supported me in doing this, encouraging me to gain skills and try out new ideas with the children.

I love going to work, and it gives me a feeling of self-worth when I know I am helping the children. I have used Makaton all my life, and now I travel all over sharing this skill with others. In particular, I do this for care staff, youth groups, social groups, school staff, and peers.

I feel strongly that everyone should have access to Makaton. I find that the children I work with learn so fast, and it doesn’t just help those who find talking difficult—it also helps children if they are feeling a bit shy or unsure.

I also use Makaton in my other work placements, which include a community food bank and café, a florist, and visits with my friendship dog to people with dementia. Makaton helps me to communicate with all these people and also allows me to gain independence and enhance my own life opportunities.

My family have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and supported me to do so. My mum travels nationally with me to share these skills with National Care Group staff too.

I think the use of Makaton should be made mandatory in all schools and learning environments. I would like to share with other families and people with disabilities that you should always follow your dreams. Our family motto has always been that there’s nothing I can’t do, but sometimes I need to get to my dream in a different way. We are all unique.

To other families of children with disabilities, I would like to say: have expectations, look for ways to achieve those dreams, and encourage others to use Makaton. The more it’s used, the more people will understand it and feel comfortable using it in their everyday lives—helping people with disabilities feel comfortable, included, valued, and seen.

British Gymnastics and Jo have definitely helped me achieve this.

Published

20th March 2026

Opening worship to everyone

Sarah Northing, leader of Glory Group: Meeting the spiritual needs of adults with learning disabilities. Glory Group is a monthly accessible church service. We have two Makaton signers, myself and Dawn.

“Church is meant to be a place where everyone can belong. Yet for many people with learning disabilities, communication differences, or limited speech, traditional church services can be difficult to access. One simple but powerful way to address this challenge is by using Makaton, which can transform worship into a more inclusive and welcoming experience for all.

Importantly, using Makaton does not only benefit those who rely on it for communication. I have seen that signing helps everyone engage more deeply with the message. Visual and physical expression can reinforce understanding, especially for people who are new to church and unfamiliar with Christian vocabulary.

Introducing Makaton does not need to be complicated. I’d recommend starting by signing key words during worship songs, which allows people who struggle with spoken language to join in more fully. It also encourages the whole congregation to engage physically and visually with the words they are singing. I found that once a few simple signs were introduced, the message became clearer and more accessible. Over time, our group has built a small, shared vocabulary of signs that have become a natural part of our worship life.

As confidence has grown, the group now participate more actively rather than feeling like observers. This involvement has built self-belief, with people joining in and successfully using signs in front of others. Makaton has helped our group members feel valued, capable, and self-assured.

Want to take it further? In addition to being Makaton Level 4 qualified, Dawn and I completed Know and Grow training, which offers a comprehensive introduction to Makaton, tailored specifically for use within the Christian church setting.

In a world where many people feel excluded or overlooked, small changes can have a profound effect. By using Makaton, we can open the door wider—ensuring that worship is not just something people attend, but something everyone can truly share in.

Perhaps the most important impact of Makaton in our group is the message it sends: everyone is valued, and everyone’s participation matters. When churches take steps to make communication accessible, they reflect the inclusive love at the heart of the Christian message.”

Published

20th March 2026

It was an honour to win the ‘Bridging the Gap’ award, proudly sponsored by Kaizenova, at the Little SENDsations SENDsational Gala: A Night of Stars. It was such a wonderful evening and so inspiring to be surrounded by so many like-minded people who are so passionate about making a positive difference for people within the SEND community.

I am incredibly passionate about supporting communication through the use of Makaton to create inclusivity and accessibility for all. It’s great to be recognised and to know that my hard work and dedication is making a real difference to the SEND community.

I have thirteen years’ experience supporting individuals with SEND within educational settings, initially as a teaching assistant for primary-aged children. I then worked as a speech and language therapy assistant, which is when my passion for Makaton was truly ignited, as I was able to really see the positive difference that Makaton was making to individuals with communication difficulties.

Just over three years ago, I made the decision to train as a Makaton Tutor and I now work as a self-employed, freelance Makaton tutor, delivering all levels of official Makaton training. I’m incredibly proud to be a Makaton Tutor as it’s hugely rewarding to share my passion for Makaton with others.

Here are some lovely words that were written about me when I was nominated for the award:

‘Lauren is a shining example of someone who truly bridges the gap for SEND families through her passion, dedication and commitment to inclusion. As a Makaton tutor, she’s made it her mission to make communication accessible for everyone no matter their age, ability or background. Her sessions go far beyond teaching signs and symbols, they’re warm, welcoming spaces where people feel empowered, confident and connected. Lauren goes above and beyond to reach families who might otherwise struggle to access training, ensuring everyone has the tools and belief that communication can be inclusive for all. Her work breaks barriers, builds understanding and gives SEND children a stronger voice’.

I’m excited to continue to bridge the gap within my work as a Makaton tutor and to continue to share awareness, my knowledge and my true passion for Makaton, in order to build stronger connections within the SEND community and for inclusion and accessibility to be at the heart of everything I do.

Published

20th March 2026

We are always delighted to highlight organisations who are finding thoughtful and creative ways to make their spaces more welcoming and inclusive. This month, we’re pleased to share the story of Dagmar Flock — a wonderfully unique Makaton Place. Travelling to shows and country fairs with their sheep and chickens, they use Makaton to help every family feel confident, included, and able to enjoy the experience together.

Our journey to becoming Makaton Aware

We decided to become Makaton Aware after a year of attending shows and country fairs, where we welcome families to come over, meet the sheep, and ask us questions. We started to notice that not all children felt able to ask their own questions in the same way as others.

Throughout the day, many parents shared that their children had difficulties with communication.

We wanted meeting the sheep to be memorable for those families too! Animals naturally have a calming, therapeutic effect, and we believe strongly that every child should be able to enjoy that. After creating a free Makaton Account in 2023, we received an email inviting us to think about becoming Makaton Aware. With the help of a close family member, and after buying a few Makaton books, we decided it was something worth investing in so we could better support the families we meet.

How we use Makaton in our work

At every show, we display our Makaton Aware certificate and our Makaton Aware ‘Ask for Help’ poster with Makaton Symbols. We find this helps families feel more comfortable about coming over with their children.

We started by learning basic Makaton signs and then moved on to animal signs and others we can use during the shows. Alongside learning to sign, we added Makaton symbols to all our sheep and chicken signs. Every member of our team wears a Makaton badge and a lanyard with Makaton flash cards. We have also added a small sensory table with feathers, wool and a sheep horn for children to touch and explore if they wish.

“It's so important in everyone's life to feel understood and included. Being Makaton Aware really helps not only us to understand and communicate with others, but it helps so many families feel less alone and feel comfortable navigating the world. That little extra understanding and time while using Makaton really does help make a big difference in everyone's lives.”
Lydia, Dagmar Flock Team Member

A memorable moment

We've met many families who have told us how much it means that we take the time to use Makaton and interact with their children. One moment that really stayed with us happened earlier this year. A family came over and their child ran towards the sheep, vocalising excitedly.

The parents immediately apologised and signed Quiet, worried about the noise.

We reassured them that it was no problem — the sheep didn't mind one bit. We started using a couple of sheep and animal signs, and their child joined in. Within five minutes, they were laughing, smiling and stroking the sheep. The parents thanked us more times than we could count and returned several times that day to enjoy both the sheep and our sensory table.

Moments like these are exactly why we chose to become Makaton Aware.

Since becoming Makaton Aware, we've noticed more families feeling confident enough to come and say hello. Displaying our certificate lets parents and children know straight away that we understand and are happy to take the extra time. Using Makaton signs helps families be included, reassured and able to enjoy the day without stress.

Building an inclusive future

We would highly recommend becoming a Makaton Place to other organisations. Being Makaton Aware doesn’t just help our understanding — it helps families feel comfortable and included in everyday things. Some families can struggle when a child has difficulties, and days out can be stressful. Being Makaton Aware allows you to offer reassurance, comfort and support, helping families feel seen, understood and included.

Looking ahead, we hope to do more school visits alongside our shows. Many infant and junior schools learn about animals in spring, but children with additional needs can sometimes be excluded from off-site trips due to staffing. We would like to bring our animals into school grounds instead, so every child can meet them and interact at their own pace, including using Makaton with those who might need additional support. 

Instagram: @dagmar_flock_ | Facebook: Dagmar Flock of Castlemilk Moorit

At The Makaton Charity, we are so pleased to see the difference Makaton is making for Dagmar Flock and the families they meet at shows and events across the year. Their commitment to inclusion shows exactly what Makaton is about — helping everyone feel confident, understood, and welcome to join in. If you’d like to explore becoming a Makaton Place, find out more here: makaton.org/MakatonPlaces

Published

17th December 2025

Signed with Makaton

World Nursery Rhyme Week (10th – 14th November 2025) was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the role that nursery rhymes, and Makaton, play in early communication and connection. For the sixth year running, the official Makaton-signed songs were created by Makaton Tutor Jen Ellison, whose enthusiasm and coordination bring this project to life each year alongside a brilliant team of volunteers.

Jen tells us all about this brilliant project:

I am really excited that for the sixth consecutive year we have the Makaton-signed songs for World Nursery Rhyme Week (WNRW)!

WNRW is a week celebrating the importance of nursery rhymes. Nursery rhymes help with vocabulary and sound awareness. Using rhymes with actions supports motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Tuning in to the rhythm is great for attention, listening, and understanding sentence structure. Sharing a nursery rhyme with others is wonderful for bonding too!

Each year, I lead and coordinate the Makaton-signed songs for WNRW. My focus is predominantly on working with Children's Activity Providers, and you can find me at ABC Makaton Training. I'm a specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and I'm passionate about promoting nursery rhymes to support communication and connection.

Every year, I invite volunteers from my pool of Makaton Tutors to help promote inclusion and improve the accessibility of WNRW for children and families through the addition of visual Makaton Signs and Symbols.

I work closely with the amazing team at Piccolo Music, who create original children's music as well as thoughtful adaptations of classic nursery rhymes. The songs and activities spark imagination and learning through play, and they're a joy to sign along with!

The five official nursery rhymes for 2025 were:

• Sing a Song of Sixpence
• Humpty Dumpty
• When I Was One
• I Hear Thunder
• Two Little Dickie Birds

The signed songs are available on Piccolo Music's YouTube playlist, along with favourites from previous years enjoyed by thousands of schools and families around the world.

A huge thank-you to Jen and the wonderful Makaton Tutors who contribute to this project each year. Your creativity and commitment help make nursery rhymes even more inclusive, playful, and joyful for children and families.

We hope you enjoyed watching, singing, and signing along! If you're a Makaton Tutor who'd like to be involved next year, Jen would love to hear from you:

• [email protected]
• @ABCMakatontraining

Published

21st November 2025

Celebrating inclusion through storytelling

At The Makaton Charity, we love to shine a light on organisations who go the extra mile to make their spaces inclusive, welcoming, and accessible. That's why we're thrilled to share the story of Story Craft Theatre, the first theatre company in York to become Makaton Friendly. Read on to hear directly from co-founder Janet Cosgriff about their inspiring journey...

Hello! I’m Janet-Emily Cosgriff, and together with my wonderful friend and fellow actor Cassie Vallance, I co-founded Story Craft Theatre back in 2018. We’re based in York and are passionate about creating joyful, interactive theatre and storytelling experiences for young children and their families. Our work blends our professional backgrounds in theatre with a real love for early years education.

In 2020, everything changed for me when my youngest child was born with Down syndrome. Very quickly, we were introduced to Makaton and discovered that it not only supported my child’s communication, but also their confidence, emotional wellbeing, and relationships with others.

I was fortunate to meet Emma Thompson, a local Makaton Tutor at Handmade Voices, and took part in her Level 1 training. The impact was immediate. Makaton gave my child a voice and reduced frustration. For me, it was a true lightbulb moment - not just as a parent, but as a theatre-maker. I suddenly saw how powerful Makaton could be, not only in our family life but in our creative work too.

Cassie and I were both inspired to continue our Makaton learning with Emma, weaving signs into our stories and performances. Over time, it became a natural, joyful part of what we do. Whether we’re in small storytelling sessions or on stage in bigger productions, Makaton is a part of us —making sure everyone feels welcome, seen, and included.

Today, we tour our Makaton-supported shows across the country, with recent performances at venues like York Theatre Royal, Burnley Mechanics, and Chichester Festival Theatre. We also launched “Makaton Mondays” on Instagram, where we share a new sign each week to help our audiences keep learning and signing together at home. It's playful, it’s practical and we hope it brings a little bit of Makaton magic into people’s weeks.

We’re incredibly proud to be the first theatre company in York to become officially Makaton Friendly. For us, it’s about more than a badge; it’s a reflection of our belief that every child deserves to be able to express themselves, to understand, and to feel included.

We are really proud to work alongside organisations like Story Craft Theatre that are making a difference in their communities every day. Their story is a wonderful reminder that inclusion starts with communication—and that with just a few signs and symbols, we can all help others feel seen and heard.

Could your organisation be next?

Join our growing community of Makaton Aware and Makaton Friendly organisations. Visit our Makaton Places webpage to find out how you can make your setting more inclusive and accessible for all.

Published

16th Sptember 2025

Bringing Makaton to the Millennium Forum

At The Makaton Charity, we’re always inspired by the powerful stories of families who use Makaton to break down barriers and build connection in their communities. This is the story of Ana and her daughter María – a journey of joy, challenge, and advocacy that helped make their local theatre a more inclusive space for everyone!

Hello, my name is Ana and I live in Derry. I’ve been a Makaton Tutor since 2021. One of my aims in becoming a Tutor was to deliver training in mainstream education, and my other goal was to bring Makaton into the heart of my local community—so that people who experience communication difficulties every day can feel included, understood, and heard.

I love going to the theatre, and I’ve always made a point of taking my daughter María to live performances whenever possible. María has a rare chromosome disorder—she’s the only one in the world with this specific diagnosis—as well as complex medical needs and communication difficulties. She is non/pre-verbal and uses a Total Communication approach to express herself. She understands English, Spanish, and Makaton.

We started going to the Millennium Forum, our local theatre, as soon as María was well enough after surgery and there was no risk to her health. I used to take her to the Wednesday matinees. In those early days, a trip to the theatre was like packing for a weekend away: seven changes of clothes, a portable step so she could rest her feet on the toilet, containers of specially prepared food... But the moment we arrived, it was all worth it. The music, the lights, the acting, the singing—it was pure joy. And the look on María’s face, the laughter and giggles, made every bit of effort worthwhile.

I couldn’t help noticing, though, that María was often the only child with additional needs in the audience. And I understood why: a theatre visit can feel overwhelming and exhausting when your child has complex needs.

Everything changed in 2013, when Derry-Londonderry became the first ever UK City of Culture. The city came alive! Local talent was everywhere, and thanks to María’s ability to charm her way to the front of any queue, we often had the best seats in the house! More importantly, we got to see first-hand how kind and understanding people can be. María made people laugh, sparked conversations, and seemed to bring strangers together. Disabled people weren’t just present - they were visible, included, and celebrated as part of the wider community.

As part of the City of Culture programme, the Millennium Forum introduced its first ever Relaxed Performance of the Panto. We love Panto in Derry! María was 12 at the time, and her little brother Raúl was 3. The theatre invited parents and carers to preview the show and share our ideas on what a relaxed performance should look like. They adjusted the lighting and sound, shortened a few scenes, and offered seat adaptors so that everyone could feel comfortable. Before the show, we received an email with photos explaining what to expect.

It was bliss. I bumped into other parents and carers—we chatted, we understood each other, and no one blinked an eye when our children did what they do: sat, ran, clapped, sang, danced, got restless, needed to leave and come back. We all just got it. It was the best feeling in the world—our children were enjoying Panto like everyone else, and as parents, we got to just be parents at the theatre.

That first relaxed performance was such a positive experience that it’s become a regular fixture in the Millennium Forum’s programme ever since. When I qualified as a Makaton Tutor, I reached out to the team—and they welcomed Makaton with open arms. The Millennium Forum is now proudly Makaton Friendly, and I’m honoured to support them as their Tutor.

Since then, they’ve gone above and beyond. In 2023, the cast and theatre staff performed “Jingle Bells” using Makaton. In 2024, it was “Sweet Caroline,” and in 2025, “Working 9 to 5”! During the relaxed performances, I volunteer to support one of María’s friends—our very own “Makaton Master” Eve McIvor—and I’ve even ended up on stage signing in front of the audience!

María now lives in a residential setting, but going to the Panto is still a key date in her calendar. It’s a time to reconnect with friends and feel part of the Derry community. In 2021, it was especially emotional—it was the first time María had seen her friends since moving in 2019. The staff at the Millennium Forum are always kind, respectful, and non-judgemental. On one occasion, María came home to see Hairspray. It wasn’t a relaxed performance, and I was nervous—would she be too loud? Would we bother other audience members? But the staff reassured me. “We’re an inclusive theatre,” they said, “We take María just as she is—and her mother too!”

Ana and María’s story is a wonderful reminder of how much inclusion matters – not just in education or care, but in everyday experiences like a trip to the theatre. Their journey helped shape a more welcoming space for families in Derry, and their continued involvement has inspired others to follow their lead.

Do you know a venue, group or organisation in your community that goes above and beyond to support communication and inclusion? You can encourage them to become Makaton Friendly too! Find out more about the Makaton Friendly scheme and how to get involved.

Published

8th July 2025

Outdoor Play & Learning with Mak the Bear

Hello friends! It’s me, Mak!

Springtime Stroll

The sun was shining, so my friends and I went for a walk to spot flowers and see what wildlife we could find. We saw tall daffodils, tiny buds, and even a butterfly! Poppy signed big and tiny, and I gave her a big high five!

You can take me with you on your walks too! Try:

• Counting flowers or trees – one, two, three…
• Spotting colours and signing them
• Looking for birds or bugs and signing what you see
• Stopping for a snack and using signs like eat, drink, share, or more

Playground Fun

I had the best time at the park! We swung, slid and climbed. We had to take turns on the slide – it was super fast! When one of my friends felt a bit scared, I waited at the end with a cuddle to help him feel better.

 

I’d love to come to the park with you too! Together, we can:

• Count before you swing: 1, 2, 3… go!
• Use signs like up, down, run, stop
• Play hide and seek – hide me and use where? to find me!
• Make daisy chains or blow bubbles – can you sign bubble or flower?

By the Water

We went for a walk by the canal to feed the ducks — and Leo remembered the sign for duck! We also counted boats and saw some cute baby chicks.

If you head to a canal, pond or river, I’d love to come too! We can:

• Sign duck every time one swims by
• Count the boats and talk about big and small ones
• Spot wildlife and practise signs like bird and fish

(And always stay safe by the water with your grown-up!)

14th April 2025

I was born prematurely with a birth defect effecting my ability to learn to talk and I was also diagnosed with autism delaying my speech further. Makaton was my first language and it still is.

Before the age of 7 the only way I communicated was through photos, symbols, and signing. I had no verbal voice, but I did have a voice. Often it just went unheard.

Some people struggled to hear me as they were so used to using their ears, and with me they needed to listen with their eyes.

I have many childhood memories around communication from walking round a zoo needing the toilet but every time I tried to drag an adult that way they told me to “wait”, that didn’t end so well for me.

Or an earache with no way to tell anyone apart from to bang my head on the wall in the hope someone would look at it. 24 hours later when I got a runny nose I was taken to the doctors and my ear drum had burst, I had no way to express my pain.

Watching the other kids come home from school and get asked what they did that day, I got asked too but because my voice had no sound with it, other kids would shout and their attention to what I was showing them or signing quickly went, I learnt only those who are loudest get heard. Things like this did not encourage me to try.

Or I’d try and line up symbols to show what I needed or wanted, not always very accurately, and people would watch, guess once, and then say “have another go, I’ll be back”, yet they never came. I don’t know if it was time or confusion or frustration that they felt, but I know I felt left, given up on at times like that.

When I was a kid, people would ask what I wanted for a Christmas or birthday and I would sign “time”: they thought I was asking how long till that birthday or Christmas. I wasn’t, I was asking for their time. I needed extra time to communicate and sometimes I didn’t get that. Sometimes people didn’t even notice I had something to say. And I wanted that time back. I wanted to tell them about something, anything. I just wanted that conversation/connection all the other kids got.

But, when people did learn my way of communicating, or even just tried to give it a go and spent the time with me, they started to call me cheeky and clever rather than not calling me anything. They saw me!

When I learnt to argue and negotiate, I felt amazing. I may not have ever won the “ice cream now, dinner later” debate, but it still felt so good to be able to try!

As I aged, and after a few medical procedures, I was able to start vocalising sounds and words, but I still heavily relied on Makaton. My speech was not clear or consistent, but my Makaton was.

With my Makaton I had confidence, without it I got lost in the world.

Even when my speech progressed to a level where some would say I didn’t need symbols or signs, I really did. Nothing made this more clear than college. I started off so well, passing parts of my course but then I was faced with people telling me I would do better in the “real world” if I stopped doing “silly things” with my hands. They would constantly say “use your words”. What they didn’t see was signs and especially symbols helped me plan my day, organise my thoughts. I still needed Makaton. As a result I started to fail and I never finished college.

If I could go back in time and say five things to those who were around me as a kid I would pick the following;

1. Listen with your eyes not just your ears.
2. Make time. Our communication will take longer, but it’s still important.
3. Let me use what helps me, don’t take my communication tools.
4. Try, just try and learn my communication method, even just a few bits.
5. Don’t give up on me, all that teaches me is to give up on myself.

Today, as an adult in my 30s, whenever someone says “do you want tea or coffee” I feel my little finger extend and my hand make the C shape: it helps me choose. I don’t drink either, but I still need those feelings and movements in my hands to vocalise that.

My home has symbol check lists for things I may forget. Reminders. Planners and random symbols of the important words or things I might need – like medication, toilet and cider!

I have epilepsy and after a seizure, or when I am anxious or even excited, any strong emotion really, my voice doesn’t do so well on its own, but my Makaton shines. When I let it. So, it is still a massive part of my life and I love it. I just wish others loved it, embraced it, or even tried it: my life would be easier if they did.

Don’t get me wrong, some people do, my friends especially, but out in the community after a seizure, for example, I still feel like I’m in a world where I can’t ask for help or say I am OK, because people wouldn’t understand. It’s not just an anxiety, it’s a fact. I once got approached by the police as someone believed I was on drugs or under the influence of alcohol as I was uncoordinated and couldn’t speak properly. I tried signing as I had no symbols with me, but I was told to lower my hands. It was scary. Of course they apologised once they knew the truth but that didn’t stop me feeling like I’d failed, or feeling scared or frustrated. I don’t like going out on my own as much as I should, even now I avoid it when I can. Awareness is better these days, I shouldn’t have the worries I do, but history stays with us for a while.

When I was an adult, I started working in adult social care, a voluntary work placement to gain living and work skills. I saw adults given drinks, not offered them. I saw adults be given their clothes in the morning with no choice. I saw a menu only staff had input in, and I asked why? I was met with blank faces or people telling me “they can’t chose”. Every day they would wait for breakfast when physically they could have been involved. I didn’t like it. I held bottles of drink for them and let them touch or look or point, I had that time, being a volunteer. And they did! They looked, they pointed, they touched and smiled. They had an opinion.

I remembered all those memories from being a kid and overlooked so strongly. I needed to be part of the solution because unlike those carers, I knew what it was like to not have a voice, and I didn’t want to just sit and watch that go on.

From that day I wanted to work in adult social care so people, individuals, could have a voice, an opinion and a choice.

I went to work for another company and I was put on Makaton training. I sat, I watched, I knew the signs (all be it a bit sloppy and a few bad habits), but I sat there and thought to myself “this is what I want to do. It’s why I’m here. This is my purpose.”

I asked the tutor how I could do this, she explained. Years passed, geography and my own epilepsy meant I couldn’t do it, but then lockdown came and I could! I could try and reach my dream.

I redid all my courses, and I applied. I got in.

I worked so hard each and every day. There was language I didn’t understand because I never learnt it at school, so I worked my way through GCSE revision books learning about pronouns, verbs etc late into the night.

And I got my dream! I am now a Makaton Tutor! I cried for pretty much a whole day when I found out I had passed! I was, and still am a Makaton user but now I am also a Makaton Tutor!

I still can’t quite believe it. For over 30 years, Makaton has been a huge part of my life, and at times I have hidden my need for it because of others. But now, now I can use it to help others.

I want to raise awareness. I want to tell people Makaton saved me, no honestly it did. I could ask for help when I needed it, when I really needed it and having a voice of any kind is the best gift you can give someone. I was lucky and now if I can be part of the solution and help others, that is what I want to do. Everyone deserves a voice and deserves to be heard.

It’s only because of the awesome people around me that I have had the confidence to share my story. A big thank you to “H” for always being there and never giving up. And to “N” for supporting me and for giving me that confidence and push I needed, to both of them for always telling me, I am fine just the way I am.

Author

Xander Green

21st June 2021

About us

Our family Makaton journey probably first started over 20 years ago when I explored signing for babies after my elder son was born. We then delved further as our younger son William arrived 5 years later. William has Down syndrome, autism plus several medical conditions. He has a hearing loss and has been wearing hearing aids since a baby.

Like many parents we learned Makaton to use at home. I recall we started to sign quite early on with William, then stopped as I couldn’t see William signing back and got quite disheartened. Other kids we knew around his age were picking up signs faster and doing better than him but they did not have his complex health issues going on. We watched Mr Tumble and Singing Hands together then I restarted doing more with him having attended Makaton training and feeling empowered and encouraged by parents of older children who recommended to just keep going. William started to sign, but at a slower pace and in his own way. Makaton and signing remain a big part of his life today as his speech development has been slow. We rely on a mixture of speech, signs and written words. Our use of Makaton has switched focus as he’s grown older to be more age related, be around encouraging communication, choices as well as preparing for adulthood.

My family is the one behind Special iApps C.I.C. specialiapps.org as we’ve been developing educational apps for children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities since 2011. During the coronavirus pandemic we started working closely with The Makaton Charity and you can read more about this here Special iApps Collaboration, and also what Sarah and Alfie sarahthemakatontutor.com thought of the The Makaton and Special iApps partnership.

If you’d want to introduce Makaton and are looking for tips, then I’d repeat the advice given to me a long time ago.

• Make it fun, as we all learn more if we enjoy the experience
• Take it easy, introduce one sign at a time that is meaningful to your family then practice and pace yourself
• Use it daily, and incorporate throughout your day weaving signs within your routines
• Keywords, pick out those key words and signs you need for your child you can then build them up to use more together as your child grows and develops
• Repetition, repetition, repetition, practice, practice and practice
• Find a signing buddy, as it’s good to share with someone going through the same thing at the same time and these friendships can last a while, even a lifetime!

One more thing I would add is that your child and your family are unique. Don’t compare. It’s hard not to as we as parents do, but each child is different. You will get a lot of advice from others (both parents and professionals), some of which may just fit into place, others might not. Never be afraid to try, and if you do stop or pause then take a break but do try again. Always give things a second chance and find your own pace that works for your family.

At the very start we learned a handful of signs as and when we needed them and learned more as time went on and William progressed. Over the years I’ve met families whose children signed in their early years and then stopped as they started to talk. For us, with William, it’s been the long haul. Signing is still part of our daily lives seventeen years on as we use it when we need to. Makaton isn’t just for babies but for adults too and covers all aspects of life as children grow into teenagers and then into adulthood. There are some fantastic resources available these days, much more than when we first started our journey. I continue to find new things to do with Makaton and find new resources and realise that there was a lot I didn’t know which I wish I did when he was younger and can also see a lot more that is available and that we can use with him now. Learning is lifelong, so we continue our journey…

Beverley Dean MBE, Founder of Special iApps C.I.C.
specialiapps.org
[email protected]

See also

• From Baby Signing to Talking Teenager (Part 2) Baby signing is for any child
• From Baby Signing to Talking Teenager (Part 3) William’s signing journey

Author

Beverley Dean MBE

13th March 2023

Embracing Makaton to build an inclusive community

We’re excited to welcome Brierley Hill Library, part of Dudley Libraries, to the Makaton Aware initiative. Powered by GLL, a charitable social enterprise, Brierley Hill Library is committed to offering accessible services, free activities, and a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Here Senior Library Assistant, Emma Dudley, tells us about how they have embraced Makaton to build an inclusive environment for their community.

“Libraries are important community spaces, and it’s essential that everyone feels welcome.”

At Brierley Hill Library, our mission goes beyond lending books; we aim to improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing across the community. By becoming a Makaton Aware venue, we’re taking another step towards breaking down communication barriers and ensuring that every visitor feels valued and included.

As Senior Library Assistant here at Brierley Hill, my journey with Makaton began during the Covid 19 lockdown. While offering online story sessions, I realised how important it was for everyone to be able to join in, regardless of their communication needs. My manager supported me to undertake Makaton training, and soon, I had completed Makaton signing Levels 1–4 and earned my Makaton Training License for MSFB.

Since then, some of our other staff members have also completed their Makaton Level 1 training, and we've integrated Makaton into our regular activities. From “Storytimes” to "Rattle and Rhyme" sessions, it's wonderful to see everyone participating and enjoying the experience of having a book read to them. We also offer Makaton-friendly class visits, making sure everyone enjoys their time at the library. The benefits we've seen are clear, which is why we've started using Makaton at our outreach events as well.

Becoming Makaton Aware

Not every member of our staff has completed Makaton training, but as a Makaton Aware venue, we are all dedicated to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful communication. We embrace the key Makaton Aware principles, which are:

• Embracing Understanding and Patience
• Allowing Time and Space for Communication
• Fostering Inclusivity
• Providing Staff Support
• Using Clear Signage

We have worked hard to ensure these guiding principles have been incorporated into the way we work as a team. We’ve made sure to display clear signage and symbols around the library, and we’re developing a Makaton map to help guide visitors. Additionally, we’ve created quieter areas with comfortable seating, and we’ve stocked our shelves with books that feature Makaton signs and symbols. We even use Makaton resources in our seasonal displays, like Pride Month and Halloween, to make them more accessible and engaging for everyone.

Positive changes in our community

The response from our visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Using Makaton has allowed us to host class visits for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) groups. We’re also in discussions with SEND coordinators from across the borough about how we can continue to improve our services for these groups.

Our outreach events have been a particular success. It’s been wonderful to see people of all ages using Makaton signs as we lead rhymes and read stories. These sessions are growing in popularity, bringing more people into the library and fostering a real sense of community. The social aspect of our Makaton activities is as important as the communication itself—people are connecting, engaging, and having fun.

Looking ahead

Becoming Makaton Aware is just the beginning of our journey! More of our staff are starting their Makaton training, and we’re excited about the future. Our management team has been incredibly supportive, and together we’re committed to building a more inclusive and accessible space for everyone who visits Brierley Hill Library.

Through Makaton, we’ve learned that communication is not just about words—it’s about connection, understanding, and ensuring everyone has a voice. We’re proud to be part of the Makaton Places initiative and hope to inspire other businesses and community spaces to consider how small changes can make a big difference.

Click here to learn more about Makaton Aware

Published

27th September 2024

Our journey to inclusivity

We are delighted that Haworth Art Gallery and Museum has recently become Makaton Aware, a brilliant milestone in their commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all their visitors.

Here, Samantha De Simone, Senior Visitor Assistant, tells us about the steps they’ve taken to ensure that everyone, regardless of their communication needs, can fully engage with the museum’s offerings.

I originally come from Italy, where I have family members who often find it challenging to visit museums due to a lack of inclusive provisions. This personal experience fuels my passion for making Haworth Museum accessible to everyone. While many museums claim to be “fully accessible,” this often refers only to physical mobility. However, accessibility encompasses a much broader spectrum, and here at Haworth we are committed to addressing all aspects of it. Thanks to funding from Pennine Lancashire Museums and Schools, we’ve been able to become Makaton Aware and gain access to incredible resources—both digital and physical—that will support our journey towards being a truly inclusive museum.

In 2023, our small visitor team participated in training focused on various aspects of front-of-house operations in a museum. For those unfamiliar, "front of house" refers to any public-facing area within the museum, from the reception and shop to the overall visitor experience. This training was an eye-opener, helping us identify areas for improvement and explore how our team, of fewer than ten staff and volunteers, could make meaningful changes.

We’ve already made significant strides in enhancing accessibility within our museum. We created a family room equipped with sensory baskets and activities, and at reception, we offer bags filled with tools to explore the museum, along with engaging trails. Each exhibition room is furnished with seating, easels, and paper for mindful drawing. Additionally, we’ve signed up for schemes such as the Safe Space Alliance and the Breastfeeding Friendly scheme, ensuring that our museum is a welcoming environment for all.

Our recent focus has been on making sure our museum is accessible to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly in terms of communication. Among the many communication methods used by SEND families is Makaton, a communication programme that uses speech, signs and symbols to support communication.

To begin our journey with Makaton, we involved our staff in creating short videos for our social media channels, featuring them signing themes related to the museum. We covered various aspects, including our shop, children's activities, weddings, and our family room. This initiative was our way of showing the community our commitment to learning and improving accessibility. The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, and our staff have been enthusiastic about getting involved.

Following this, we introduced a Summer Trail for children, featuring double-sided clues—with drawings on one side and Makaton signs on the other. These small steps reflect the dedication of our team and made a significant impact for our visitors.

Looking ahead, we plan to integrate Makaton further into various aspects of the museum, including our school visits, where we hope to offer it as an option for schools.

This transformation won’t happen overnight, but we are committed to empowering our entire team to feel comfortable with Makaton. We will continue to demonstrate our commitment, willingness to learn, and desire to improve our visitors' experiences. The more we learn about accessibility, the more we realize there is still so much to do, but we are wholeheartedly committed to this journey.

Click here to learn more about Makaton Aware

Published

24th September 2024

Learning Makaton to make moving easier for everyone

We were really excited to hear that John Mason International Movers had taken a significant step towards making their services more inclusive by learning Makaton.

Below, the team at John Mason International Movers shares their experience and the positive impact Makaton has had on their work.

At John Mason International Movers we’ve always believed that moving should be a positive experience for everyone. However, we realised that for some of our customers, especially those with communication difficulties, the process could feel a bit overwhelming. That’s why we decided to learn Makaton.

Our first steps with Makaton

Our journey with Makaton started when we began thinking about how we could better support all of our customers. We knew that moving can be a stressful time, and we wanted to do everything we could to make it easier for those who might find it hard to express their needs. Learning Makaton seemed like a natural step for us.

Our team members, from front-line staff to our dedicated Move Managers, embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm. They recognised that by learning Makaton, they could break down barriers and provide a more personalised service.

The training was both challenging and rewarding. We learned to use simple signs and symbols alongside speech, which helps people who might struggle with verbal communication. It wasn’t just about learning a new skill; it was about understanding and connecting with our customers in a more meaningful way.

What we’ve learned

One of the things that stood out during our training was how much it changed the way we approach our work. For example, when we met a family who used Makaton, we were able to communicate with their child in a way that made them feel comfortable and included. Seeing the relief and happiness on their faces was incredibly rewarding for us.

It’s these small moments that have made us realise the true value of learning Makaton. It’s not just about making our job easier—it’s about making our customers feel at ease during a time that can be quite stressful.

The impact

The impact of our Makaton training has been profound. Not only has it enhanced our ability to communicate with customers who use Makaton, but it has also fostered a greater sense of empathy and awareness among our team. We've received positive feedback from customers who appreciate the effort we've made to accommodate their needs, and our staff feels more confident in their ability to provide inclusive, compassionate service.

Moving forward together

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s always more to learn. We’re committed to continuing our journey with Makaton and finding new ways to make our services as accessible as possible.

We’ve learned that communication is about much more than just words—it’s about connection, understanding, and making sure everyone feels heard. By sharing our experience, we hope to encourage others in our industry to think about how they can make their own services more inclusive.

Published

24th September 2024

About Springboard

Springboard is a caring and committed charity, located in Horsham, West Sussex, and has been supporting families with SEND for over 32 years. We work with children, young people, and families by offering support, inclusive play, and leisure opportunities.

Our Mission

We aim to promote inclusion and diversity, improve physical and emotional wellbeing, increase life skills and independence, reduce isolation by helping to build relationships and friendships, and provide accessible recreational and leisure opportunities.

Makaton Training at Springboard

Throughout the years, Springboard has carried out basic Makaton training, but only a few members of staff were able to access this. It was always on our wish-list to train all staff in Makaton, but we didn’t know where to start! A touch of fate occurred when we were working out the best way to support one of the amazing young people that accesses our services because he uses Makaton. We found out that his mum was a qualified Makaton instructor, and we knew we had to find a way to fund for every staff member to train up to Level 2 Makaton.

Emily is a FANTASTIC trainer; she made learning fun, accessible, easy, and enjoyable, and our charity has improved drastically since. We are now registered as ‘Makaton Aware’, staff are trained up to level 2, we have Makaton signs around our inclusive stay and play centre, staff wear Makaton signs on their work lanyards, and we are constantly thinking of more ways we can include Makaton into our charity.

Future Goals

The next steps are to secure funding for staff to train up to Level 4 and do the Makaton Safeguarding course. We also want to find funding for parent/carers to access the training and continue to spread the word of how fantastic Makaton is.

Click here to learn more about Makaton Aware

Author

Vickie H

23rd September 2024

Breaking Down Barriers with Makaton

Morgan's Butchery, a family-run business on the Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Suffolk border, has recently taken steps to ensure that inclusivity is at the heart of their business.

The Nicholas family, who took over the butchery in April 2023, have made it their mission to create a welcoming environment for all customers, regardless of their communication needs. Below, they share their journey and the impact of becoming Makaton Aware on both their business and the local community.

“At Morgan's Butchery, inclusivity has always been a core focus for us. Master Butcher Miles Nicholas, who has multiple disabilities following a stroke, knows firsthand the challenges of living with a communication disability. One of the biggest difficulties he faces is his speech and language disability, which has made even everyday tasks, like ordering a coffee, a stressful experience.

Becoming Makaton Aware

It was clear to us that we wanted to make shopping at Morgan's Butchery a pleasant and accessible experience for everyone. One of the first steps we took was to implement simple yet impactful changes, such as offering braille and large print price lists. These adjustments have already made a huge difference for many of our customers, and becoming Makaton Aware felt like the perfect next step on our journey.

We now have Makaton symbols available throughout the store, and all of our staff are confident at using Makaton signs too. Being Makaton Aware allows us to better serve customers with communication difficulties, helping them feel more comfortable and confident when they shop with us.

Leading by Example

As well as being the director of Morgan's Butchery, I also have extensive experience in supporting children and young adults with disabilities. This has motivated me to drive these changes at Morgan's Butchery, and we are excited to continue building an environment that welcomes and supports all members of our community.

We hope that other larger businesses will follow suit and begin implementing these simple but powerful solutions in their own stores. It doesn’t take much to make a significant impact on the lives of people living with disabilities—small changes can break down big barriers.

By making these adjustments, we hope to inspire other businesses to consider how they can make their services more inclusive. It’s not just about following a trend—it’s about making sure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels valued and included.”

Click here to learn more about Makaton Aware

Published

4th September 2024

We're pleased to introduce you to one of the first organisations to become Makaton Aware, Collar & Cuffs Co.

Founded in 2016, Collar & Cuffs Co is a multi-award-winning company renowned for creating sensory trails, tours, theatre, and resources. Their mission? To widen access, participation, and inclusion in heritage, culture, arts, nature, and horticulture for people of all ages with special educational needs and disabilities, including those with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

Here's what Creative Director, and autistic parent of autistic twins, Julia told us:

“If you've ever been to one of our shows, sensory tours or a sensory storytelling session, then you'll know that we use Makaton every single time, no matter who we're working with.

We use Makaton whether our audience communicates using signs or not. For our youngest participants, signing helps support visual attention and it helps to normalise signing as part of communication. Parents/Carers of children/young people without SEND find signing fascinating. Using it often leads to them wanting to know more, trying out signs for themselves, and having useful conversations with their kids about why signing matters.

For most of our SEND audience, Makaton is a key part of their communication needs, and it's as natural for us to sign as it is to use spoken, sensory, or any other type of inclusive and total communication.

As an autistic person, I have always been someone who uses my hands a lot when I talk, so signing offers me a way to give my hands purpose, control, and meaning. I have also signed with my children since they were born - one of my twins had a 60% hearing loss for nearly four years of his life, and signing became a way to support his language development. Our family still uses Makaton now as a means of communicating when anxiety levels are high, across crowded spaces, or when a bit of discretion is needed.

It is therefore a no-brainer that Collar & Cuffs Co has signed up to become Makaton Aware and will be proudly displaying the Makaton Aware certificate and window sticker.”

Thank you Collar & Cuffs Co for becoming Makaton Aware and helping us to build a community where everyone's voice is heard and understood! Together, we will continue to break down communication barriers and build a more inclusive world for all.

Click here for more information about how you can become Makaton Aware or get in touch on [email protected].

10th June 2024

Our beautiful daughter Syeda was born in 2016. As she grew and developed, we realised that she was missing certain milestones and after repeated trips to the doctors, nothing serious was identified as the cause.

Then at 11 months, she suffered a fit whilst struggling with a cold and flu. What happened next would change our lives forever. What little progress she had made regressed, and we were told she had Global Developmental Delay and suffered Febrile Seizures. After seeing a Neurological Paediatrician, we finally got a diagnosis of Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Global Developmental Delay.

Speech was one aspect where we really struggled as a family. We were told she may never talk and that we should prepare for that scenario. We moved back to the UK and set up lots of private appointments with different hospitals.

It wasn’t until Syeda was 3 1/2 years old that we were told about Makaton by our amazing Early Year Support Worker, Mel (Sandwell Council). She set us up for a taster session for parents with additional needs children. Despite Syeda being so young, we used Makaton and it only made a slight impact. I was worried and reluctant to continue this journey as I thought it might be an impediment to her speech. After being convinced by my husband, we both decided to give this journey everything we could. We both enrolled privately onto Level 1 and Level 2 Makaton courses. We began using it at home with each other and with Syeda as much as we could. It was through a lot of repetition and perseverance that Syeda started to say words and communicate her needs. It was an amazing achievement, and Makaton has become a part of our everyday life.

It was a fabulous feeling seeing the positive impact this had on Syeda finally being able to communicate her basic needs. My husband and I decided to continue and both completed Level 3 and Level 4. We found that a lot of behaviours that had once been present reduced significantly. Her ability to communicate what activities she wanted to do, when she wanted to use the washroom, what she wanted to eat, etc., increased. It had meant her overall life quality was improved. Her personality grew and her ability to socialise with greater confidence also improved.

Despite her newfound ability to now communicate her needs, it was still frustrating when we were out and about in social situations where she wanted to interact with others around her. As they were unable to communicate with her despite being willing to do so. People would ask us signs when they wanted to include and talk to Syeda, it ranged from people in the healthcare professions to general members of the public to friends and family. As a result, we realised quickly we had to make the environment around Syeda Makaton aware and improve the skills of all willing individuals to increase her comfort at all levels of interaction in the wider society outside the home. We knew we had to teach Makaton to make the change.

Following this, I decided to do the Makaton Tutor Course to facilitate Syeda. Her use of Makaton is a lifetime journey and the impact it has had is unparalleled. As a family, it has helped us all communicate and meant Syeda is now included in every aspect of our lives.

I will always be grateful to Mel for introducing us to Makaton and also to my husband for convincing me to persevere on this journey.

Author

Sarwat

28th May 2024

We are thrilled to share an exciting addition to the Makaton Library, all thanks to Taylor, a passionate Makaton User. 

Taylor approached us with a brilliant idea: creating Wheelchair Access Posters featuring Makaton symbols. Now, we are delighted to share that these essential resources are readily available for everyone to access!

Taylor told us: “I was exploring the Makaton website and I realised there weren’t many resources for wheelchair users, so I decided to create some. 

I had an idea and the charity’s Resource Team made them a reality. 

I have personal experience of needing space for my wheelchair which I use all of the time. Sometimes if there is no clear parking sign to say that the space needs to be big enough, I haven't been able to get out of my car because others have parked too close. I am excited this resource will help people to think more about the amount of space they leave. 

I designed these posters to raise awareness in the Makaton community of the needs of wheelchair users.”
 
Thank you Taylor for working with us to create this fantastic resource! 

You can find the four versions of Taylor’s Wheelchair Access poster on the Makaton Library by searching for ‘Wheelchair Access”. 

• Please remember to leave space for electric wheelchair access
• Please remember to leave 2 metres for electric wheelchair access
• Please remember to leave space for manual wheelchair access
• Please remember to leave 2 metres for manual wheelchair access

Author

Taylor

18 April 2024

Jayde Conway is a newly qualified Makaton Tutor and Early Years SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) at The Sunflower Children’s Centre in Tameside. Here, she shares her journey to becoming a Makaton Tutor and the positive impact Makaton is making in her Early Years setting.

In the vibrant world of early childhood education, effective communication is the cornerstone of fostering meaningful connections with young learners. As an enthusiastic advocate for inclusive teaching practices, I embarked on a transformative journey to become a Makaton tutor. This decision was fuelled by the desire to create an environment where every child, regardless of their communication abilities, feels heard and understood.

Children entering a nursery setting come along with a diverse range of communication abilities. Some may be confident communicators, while others may face challenges in expressing themselves. Recognising this diversity, I decided to explore Makaton, a unique and inclusive communication tool.

My journey as a Makaton Tutor began with a comprehensive training programme that covered the fundamentals of the Makaton communication programme. From basic signs and symbols to constructing sentences, my Tutor training provided a thorough understanding of how Makaton can be integrated into everyday life. One of the highlights of the training was the emphasis on practical application. Through hands-on activities and scenarios, I gained confidence in incorporating Makaton seamlessly into nursery routines, learning, and play.

The primary benefit of integrating Makaton into the nursery setting is the enhanced communication between educators and children. For those who may struggle with verbal communication, Makaton provides a visual and tactile means to express their thoughts, needs, and feelings. Makaton fosters inclusivity by breaking down communication barriers. It creates a shared understanding that unites children of diverse communication abilities, promoting a sense of belonging among the nursery community.

Beyond communication, Makaton supports the development of essential skills such as fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social interaction. Engaging with signs and symbols stimulates various areas of a child's brain, contributing to their overall development.

As we continue to implement Makaton across our early years setting, I am seeing a positive ripple effect as staff and children develop their communication skills and engagement with Makaton. We have introduced a 'Sign of the Week' board, which has been a great way to support staff and children in learning a brand new sign every single week. Children are more engaged, confident, and expressive in their communication. The nursery environment is a space where every child's unique voice is valued and heard.

Becoming a Makaton Tutor not only enriches my teaching practice but also contributes to the development of an inclusive and empowering nursery environment. By embracing the power of Makaton as a team, we are helping children overcome communication barriers and laying the foundation for a future where every child has the tools they need to thrive. In the colourful world of early childhood education, Makaton is a beacon of inclusivity, ensuring that no voice goes unheard, and I am both excited and proud to finally become part of the Makaton family.

Author

Jayde Conway

19th January 2024

My name is Abigail, and my story was featured on The Makaton Charity website back on 10th May 2022. I thought I would give an update for your website to show you where I am: a proud volunteer playworker working for the incredible Darlington Association on Disability (D.A.D).

We work with children and young people aged 3 to 25 with complex needs to other special needs, especially young people and children with communication and speech impairments.

We work very closely with Makaton; we are all training and learning at the same time, and we understand a lot of children's and young people's needs. As a volunteer playworker, this brings my Makaton skills to the test, and it has come in handy when you're at work, loving every minute of being a Volunteer Playworker.

Also, we do various schemes through D.A.D, and we also love to learn and practice our Makaton skills.

I can't wait to see what the future brings for all at Darlington Association on Disability.

Thank you so much for sharing my volunteer playworker story on your website. Maybe a part three in the future. Thank you so much for listening to my story.

Love, Volunteer Playworker Abigail xxx

Read Abigail's first blog: Makaton is for everyone

Author

Olaf is a three-year-old fox red Labrador therapist and a published author. He was invited to speak at the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023. Olaf is a family pet registered with the Pets As Therapy (PAT) Charity. His job is to make people smile when, with his human mum (a specialist teacher and mindfulness coach), he visits hospitals and schools.

Every Thursday morning, Olaf goes to Battledown Special School. He enjoys his visits so much that he set his second book there! Team Olaf to the Rescue is a heartwarming story about his classroom adventures (it very cleverly rhymes!). With help from his merry band of canine mates, Olaf saves the school’s Christmas celebrations and gives the children a party they will never forget. All the dogs in Team Olaf are Olaf's real friends whom he sees every day on his walks. They all play a vital role in the story, showing kindness, creativity, and bravery. Fun activities are added to stimulate the reader's imagination and memory.

Battledown School uses Makaton as part of their teaching and learning, so we included their symbols in the book to enable more of Olaf’s human friends to enjoy it. We were delighted Makaton wanted to be involved in our project and are grateful to the Team for their expertise and patience. They provided symbols for the concepts/story words and explained where to place them on the page, so that the story makes sense to the Makaton reader.

Olaf's first book, Mr. Olaf the Therapist, is a mindfulness scrapbook, diarying his experiences in a mainstream school and his work in the NHS. As a PAT dog, Olaf visits Cheltenham General Hospital where he is a valued member of the Knightsbridge (Gastric) and Critical Care Teams. He has been doing this for over two years but is still banned from the staff rooms because of the doughnuts... It is a privilege and humbling to be welcomed so warmly by patients, their families, and Olaf’s NHS colleagues. Olaf also shares his lifestyle wisdom with self-care activities and mindfulness questions to help us reflect on our own work/life balance.

Olaf gives all the proceeds from his books to the Pets as Therapy charity. He attends promotional PAT events e.g., Crufts and Goodwuff.

For more information about PAT and/or to buy Olaf’s books, please visit Pets as Therapy.

Author

Rachel and Olaf Flower

20th November 2023