Diary Of A Makaton Tutor: A Week of Online Training and a Rare Public Workshop

Supporting parents, professionals, and a wider community through Makaton

This week has been all about connection—delivering Makaton training online to a range of different audiences, each bringing their own experiences, knowledge, and perspectives.

From parent carers to support staff and a public Level 1 workshop, it’s been a reminder of how powerful it is when people come together to learn a shared way of communicating.

📝 This Week in My Diary

This week, I delivered an online workshop for Bristol Parent Carers, which was such a meaningful session. Working with parent carers is always incredibly special—they bring real-life experiences, dedication and a deep understanding of the importance of communication. We explored how Makaton can be used at home to support daily routines, reduce frustration, and build stronger connections.

I also delivered another online training session for Achieve Together. These sessions continue to highlight the fantastic work support staff are doing across the UK. It’s always inspiring to see their commitment to improving communication for the individuals they support, and how quickly they begin to apply Makaton in practical, meaningful ways.

One of the highlights of my week was delivering a public Level 1 Makaton workshop. These are actually quite rare for me, as most of my work is with private clients and organisations. However, I always really enjoy delivering public training sessions. There’s something unique about having such a mix of people in one space—parents, professionals, carers, and individuals all bringing different levels of experience and knowledge.

That variety creates such a rich learning environment, where people not only learn from me, but from each other too.

✋ Signs of the Week

Here are three useful Makaton signs that were particularly relevant in this week’s sessions, you can find these on my youtube channel.

1. Eat

A key everyday sign, especially useful at home and in care settings. It supports choice-making and routine.

2. Drink

Often paired with “eat,” this sign is essential for supporting basic needs and encouraging independence.

3. Toilet

An important sign for dignity and independence, helping individuals communicate a basic need clearly.

These are great starter signs because they are used frequently and have an immediate impact.

💡 Tips for Learning Makaton Online

With so much training happening online, here are a few tips to make the most of it:

• Practice between sessions – even a few minutes a day makes a difference

• Don’t worry about perfection – it’s about communication, not getting every sign exactly right

• Use it straight away – the more you use Makaton in real situations, the more natural it becomes

• Learn from others – especially in group sessions where people share ideas and experiences

  
  

🌱 Reflection

This week really highlighted the importance of accessibility and flexibility in learning.

Online training allows me to reach people from all over the UK, each with their own reasons for wanting to learn Makaton. Whether it’s a parent wanting to support their child, or a professional looking to improve their practice, everyone shares the same goal—better communication.

Delivering the public Level 1 workshop was a great reminder of how valuable shared learning spaces are. Even though I don’t deliver public sessions often, they always bring a unique energy that I really value.

👉 Try This This Week

Focus on functional communication.

Choose signs like eat, drink, and toilet, and use them consistently throughout the day. These are some of the most powerful signs you can introduce because they meet immediate needs.

💬 Let’s Connect

Have you attended a Makaton workshop before—online or in person?

I’d love to hear about your experience, or what’s inspired you to start learning. Feel free to share in the comments and follow along for more weekly insights, tips, and real-life stories from my journey as a Makaton trainer.