Join us for a Makaton-signed song for Makaton International Awareness Day!

We are thrilled to announce a special event for Makaton International Awareness Day on August 28th, 2024! Many of you have expressed interest in doing a Makaton-signed song, and we thought this day would be perfect for everyone to join in.

Chosen song: Unstoppable by Sia

This upbeat and powerful song celebrates strength, independence, and confidence. It has been selected by Makaton Users, and we can't wait for you to be part of it.

How you can participate

1. Photos
   • Wear your Makaton clothing or hold a Makaton flag (Optional, you are welcome to wear your own clothing too).
   • Anyone can participate: Makaton Users, siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, Tutors, Trainers.
   • Don't have a Makaton T-shirt or flag? You can purchase them here: Makaton Shop - Clothing.
2. Videos
   • Film yourself signing along to the song using the practice video below which includes just that section of the song.
   • Lyrics and translation can be found here, thanks to Singing Hands.
   • Practice video by Singing Hands: Click here to view the video
   • Wear your Makaton clothing. (Optional, you are welcome to wear your own clothing too).
3. Symbol
   • Prefer using Makaton Symbols? Print off a key word from the song and hold it up for a photo.
   • Click here to download the symbols

Submission details

• Deadline: Friday 12th July 2024
• Email: Send photos and videos to [email protected] with the subject MIAD Project.
• Permission form: Click here to download your permission form. Don't forget to include it!
• File transfer: Use a transfer tool if necessary for videos such as wetransfer.com

Important dates

• Grand reveal: Our special webinar on Wednesday 28th August 2024, at 2 PM.
• Social Media sharing: Video will be shared on social media after the webinar. Please refrain from posting your clips until Thursday 29th August 2024.

Webinar registration

Register for the webinar here

Feel free to share this information within the Makaton community. We look forward to seeing your wonderful contributions!

Published

26th June 2024

Promoting inclusivity and enhancing communication!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Makaton Aware, an initiative dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in public spaces. Whether you are part of a business, organisation, or a passionate individual, you can help create welcoming environments where everyone feels valued and understood.

Why Makaton Aware?

Makaton Aware is an innovative initiative committed to breaking down communication barriers and ensuring everyone feels understood. Our goal is to build a network of inclusive spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can thrive. This initiative is perfect for anyone looking to promote inclusivity without the need for extensive training.

Our Vision

Our vision is simple: to build a community where everyone's voice is heard and understood. Through Makaton Aware, we promote inclusivity, empower individuals, and foster meaningful connections.

Benefits of Joining Makaton Aware

Embrace Understanding and Patience: Approach communication with patience and understanding, respecting diverse ways of expression.

Allow Time and Space: Ensure individuals have the necessary time and space to communicate in their preferred manner.

Foster Inclusivity: Create a nurturing atmosphere where every community member feels valued.

Provide Staff Support: Offer assistance and support to customers facing communication challenges.

Use Clear Signage: Implement clear symbols throughout your environment to aid easy navigation and identification.

How it works

1. Complete the Online Form: Answer a few simple questions and provide your contact information.
2. Make Payment: Complete the £50 annual enrolment payment.
3. Receive Your Resources: Upon signup, you'll receive a comprehensive resource pack, including a Makaton Aware certificate, window sticker, symbol cards, and more.
4. Promotion: Your business will be featured on our interactive map and promoted to our 80k+ social media followers.
5. Stay Informed: Receive email updates on Makaton news, events, and training opportunities.
6. Download Resources: Access a wide range of digital resources, including the Makaton Aware logo to showcase on your website and materials.

Special welcome gift

In your first year, you'll receive our bestselling Everyday Vocabulary Flashcards and a Makaton Aware small bundle pack, featuring practical items like a branded pen, badge, and lanyard - worth over £20!

Join Makaton Aware for just £50 per year. Take the first step towards a more inclusive society. Sign up today to become Makaton Aware and enrich your community experience.

Together, let's create a world where everyone's voice is heard and understood.

Click here for more information about Makaton Aware and how to get involved

Published

Have you got your Everyday Vocabulary Flashcards yet?

Our bestselling item in 2023 is a powerful tool for individuals of all ages and abilities to enhance communication.

With 37 carefully chosen signs and symbols, these compact flashcards cover a range of essential everyday words and are designed in a convenient pocket size making them perfect for on-the-go use, either independently or attached to a lanyard (sold separately).

These flashcards can be used in a variety of ways to build sentences, initiate conversation, or prompt social interactions. They can also be used in conjunction with other Makaton resources to help develop literacy skills, increase vocabulary, and improve comprehension.

Shop now

Published

The closing date for this vacancy was 25th April 2024

The Makaton Charity is recruiting! As part of our ongoing commitment to effectively service the needs of our Users and our Tutor network, we are seeking a dynamic individual to fill the role of Tutor Support & Development Manager. This is a key role, coordinating the Charity’s Tutor training events, mailings, and licencing activity in an effective way in support of the Charity’s mission, vision and values, and the achievement of the business objectives.

Key responsibilities in the role include to oversee and lead the Tutor Support and Development Training Department, manage the Tutor course booking schedule, act as primary liaison for the Tutor network, plan, coordinate, and prepare resources for Tutor Training, Road Shows, Revision Sessions, and Tutor workshops, as well as support the Tutor licencing process.

This is a management role, and the successful candidate will have proven leadership skills with demonstrated experience in effectively managing teams and projects, strong understanding of business operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning as well as proficiency in problem-solving and decision-making. Candidates should possess excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to engage and motivate team members, react proactively, be solutions driven and be able to adapt to changing priorities and work pressures.

This is a permanent, full-time role (35 hours/week), working under a hybrid model. Interested candidates should email [email protected] for a full job description and details of how to apply.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 25th April.

Candidates must possess a clean driving licence and have the right to work in the UK.  

No agencies please.

See also: Working for us

Published

15th April 2024

We are seeking new Trustees to join The Makaton Charity’s Board to provide advice, guidance, and challenge the evolution of strategy, plans, and projects.

Specifically, we are looking for those who bring either finance, legal, digital marketing or grant-making expertise.

The Makaton Charity is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find Trustees. You can find out more and register your initial interest here: bit.ly/MakatonTrustees

For any questions or problems, please contact [email protected]

Published

8th December 2023

The closing date for this vacancy was 26th February 2024

We are recruiting! As part of our expansion strategy in 2024, we're introducing an accredited 'Trainer' role to embed Makaton in sector-specific areas and reach new markets and audiences. To drive this exciting initiative forward, we're seeking a dynamic and strategic-minded Franchise Manager. This senior role is essential for the development and implementation of our wider franchise initiative, playing a pivotal role in overseeing our existing Tutor Support Team and spearheading the establishment of the new Trainer provision, working to recruit partner organisations and trainer candidates.

As the lead of the Tutor and Trainer Team, you'll drive the identification and acquisition of new business opportunities, involving leveraging your expertise in business development to expand our reach and promote the success of the Makaton Tutor and Trainer franchise model. Your strategic oversight and effective management practices will be instrumental in maintaining the integrity of our brand and ensuring the continued growth and impact of our franchise network.

This is a unique opportunity to join a passionate and dedicated team, where you'll have the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals served by Makaton. If you're driven, innovative, and ready to take on a leadership role in driving social impact, we invite you to join us on this rewarding journey

This is a full time (35 hours per week), permanent role, working under a hybrid model. Please contact [email protected] for a full job description, salary details, and details of how to apply.

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 26th March.

No agencies please.

See also: Working for us

Published

14th March 2024

Blue skies are appearing, daffodils are starting to bloom and supermarkets are full of Easter Eggs, which can only mean one thing – it’s time for the Makaton Spring Sale!

From today you can save 20% on all products* on our online shop.

Put a spring in your step with our diverse range of Makaton products! From Core Vocabulary books  and interactive games to enchanting story books and branded Makaton merchandise – there’s a wide variety of products available to help you learn Makaton, develop your skills, and have fun.

Simply enter the code SPRING24 at checkout to receive 20% off your order* throughout the whole of March.**

Happy Spring, Happy shopping!

Shop now

*Spring Sale excludes Membership and Tutor Resources
**Offer valid from 1.3.2024 – 31.3.2024 inclusive

Published

We would like to announce that The Makaton Charity has successfully acquired the intellectual property rights of Special iApps, a renowned creator of award-winning educational apps. These apps are specially designed to provide support to children with special educational needs, fostering language and communication development.

With Special iApps, users can effortlessly create personalised learning resources in minutes, making it easier for children to access the educational tools they need.

We are excited to continue the legacy of Special iApps and further enhance the impact these remarkable apps have on individual's learning journeys.

Next steps

Our goal is to enhance and modernise the existing Special iApps functionality through updated technology and advancements. We are aiming to relaunch the apps by Summer 2024.

We are delighted to announce that as part of their membership package, all Makaton Members will have exclusive access to the apps. This means that Makaton Members will be able to benefit from the incredible features and educational resources offered by Special iApps, further enriching their membership experience.

Previous Special iApps customers

The apps will also be made available free of charge to previous Special iApps customers for a period of six months. During this time, we encourage users to provide feedback on the development and usability of the apps. This valuable input will help us further improve and refine the apps.

Sharing your data

If you were a previous Special iApps customer and you would rather not have your personal data stored with The Makaton Charity, please email [email protected] and we'll ensure it is removed from our database.

More information regarding these exciting developments will be released later in the year. Makaton has worked closely with the Founders of Special iApps and is committed to continuing and expanding upon the remarkable work they have accomplished.

Stay tuned for more updates on how we will be taking this important work forward!

The Makaton Charity

Published

29th September 2023

We are thrilled to offer you fantastic discounts on selected resources, designed to maximise your Makaton experience this summer!

Until 31st August, you can enjoy a 10% discount on the following selected resources by using our exclusive promo code: HOLIDAY10:

• Makaton Games
• Makaton Make and Do
• Trips and Days Out
• I Like Ice Cream
• Activities for Adults
• Sorting Activities

These resources have been thoughtfully chosen to enhance your Makaton journey. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this exclusive offer and make the most of your summer with Makaton!

Published

10th July 2023

Stay Connected with Makaton Community

Introducing MakaChat Mobile - the ultimate way to stay connected to your Makaton community from your mobile device! With this app, all Makaton members can easily stay up-to-date with the latest discussions, news, and conversations that matter to you. Plus, you can turn on notifications for important updates and effortlessly like, comment, ask questions and answer them in just a few clicks. We're confident that MakaChat Mobile will make it even easier for you to stay connected with your fellow Makaton members, Ambassadors, Tutors, Trainers.

To get started, download the free Connected Community app from the App Store or Google Play. Then, log in to MakaChat by entering community.makaton.org as the domain name prompt and using your regular Makaton username and password. It's that easy! Once you're logged in, you'll be redirected to the app and ready to start chatting.

MakaChat Mobile is powered by the Connected Community app and provides a range of exciting features to make your experience seamless.  We hope you enjoy using MakaChat Mobile to stay connected with your Makaton community!

Take a tour of the app via our short demos and keep an eye out for more tips and tricks to get the most out of the app:

Not a member yet? Start your free 7-day trial today!

Published

1st May 2023

We are thrilled to introduce a brand new item in the Makaton Shop: Everyday Vocabulary Flashcards. A powerful tool for individuals of all ages and abilities to enhance communication and language development. With 37 carefully chosen signs and symbols, these flashcards cover a range of essential everyday words such as 'hello', 'house', 'food', 'toilet', 'book', 'telephone', 'yes', 'no', 'where', 'which', 'what', 'happy' and 'sad'.

Measuring 54mm x 85mm, these durable white PVC cards come with a sturdy metal snap ring for easy storage and organisation. Whether you're a parent, teacher, speech therapist, or caregiver, these flashcards can help support communication and interaction with individuals who have communication difficulties, language delays, or learning disabilities.

These flashcards can be used in a variety of ways to build sentences, initiate conversation, or prompt social interactions. They can also be used in conjunction with other Makaton resources to help develop literacy skills, increase vocabulary, and improve comprehension.

With the Everyday Vocabulary Flashcards, you can help individuals improve their communication skills and build confidence in their ability to express themselves.

As always, your purchase helps support the valuable work we do at The Makaton Charity to improve communication and understanding for everyone. We are grateful for your continued support.

Published

The Makaton Charity have made the decision to remove Standard membership and going forwards Premium membership will be the only paid membership type we provide. Through extensive user feedback, we have learned that members want access to a wider range of content and not be limited to a small selection of vocabulary and resources. We want to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all our members and providing them with the best possible experience.

We have made this decision based on our commitment to providing high quality products and services. After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that the Standard membership does not offer best value for money. We believe that the Premium membership does this more successfully.

Premium membership offers 24/7 digital access to all of the Makaton vocabulary, with 40,000+ symbols, signs and videos to support your everyday needs. You can download your favourite content for easy offline access.

Premium membership includes everyday vocabulary plus Animals, Food and Drink, People (work, leisure and  public services), Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE), Transport and Vehicles, School and Education, and Sex Education.

In addition to vocabulary, we have a wide range of resources available including Games and Activities, Festivals and Celebrations, Inclusive Greetings Cards, Health Communication, Nursery Rhymes and Stories, Sporting Events and much more. We are continuously adding resources on a monthly basis to keep the content as engaging and relevant as possible.

MakaChat is our vibrant online community where members can ask the experts, for advice and guidance. The community allows peer-to-peer support for your everyday communication and learning disability questions.

With Premium membership you can broaden your experience with exclusive Member Events. Meet like-minded people and build on your Makaton knowledge from a diverse array of subject topics.

Premium membership can be accessed for just £9.99 per month, our best value membership product is our Group membership providing 4 logins for only £11.99 per month (£3 per person).

Start your free 7-day trial today

Published