28/08/2026
Makaton Awareness Day – spreading the word 📣
Disability services across our charity are supporting with a range of activities and resources, highlighting the importance of Makaton in promoting inclusion and empowering people through communication.
uses a combination of symbols, signs and gestures to help disabled people communicate more confidently and effectively, reducing the frustration that can come from feeling unheard or misunderstood.
At our Hub@Parkhead day centre in Ashington, Makaton took centre stage as Hub member Hayley led the weekly communication session. Hayley was delighted to share the knowledge and experience she has gained through using Makaton as her preferred method of communication, while encouraging others to learn and develop their skills too.
Meanwhile, at our Alan Shearer Activity Centre, members enjoyed a variety of interactive activities centred around Makaton. Staff also raised awareness of the skills they have developed through the charity's Makaton training programme, helping them to better support people who choose to use the communication programme.
“Makaton is just one of the communication methods our staff teams are familiar with across the charity,” said Disability Lead, Jackie. “Knowing the preferred methods of communication for the people we support fosters inclusion and empowerment and minimises the frustration often felt by people who have different communication needs.”
