Diary of a Makaton Tutor: Supporting Inclusive Communication Across Health and Social Care in Yeovil and Clevedon

Ali Pennington
Jun 7
3 min read

This week, I had the pleasure of delivering Level 1 Makaton training to two passionate organisations committed to improving inclusive communication within health and social care settings.

The first session took place in Yeovil with Enable and Support, followed by another Level 1 training session in Clevedon with Network Health and Social Care.

Both training sessions highlighted the growing recognition of how important communication accessibility is when supporting individuals with speech, language and communication needs.

Why Makaton Matters in Health and Social Care

Communication is at the heart of building relationships, promoting independence, and providing person-centred support.

For many individuals, understanding spoken language alone can be difficult. Using Makaton signs and symbols alongside speech can help reduce communication barriers and create more supportive, inclusive environments.

Throughout both Level 1 sessions, staff explored how small communication adaptations can make a significant difference to the people they support every day.

Building Confidence Through Level 1 Makaton Training

Level 1 training provides learners with practical signs and symbols that can immediately be applied within real-life settings.

During the sessions, participants developed their understanding of:

Using signs alongside speech naturally
Supporting understanding through visual communication
Encouraging interaction and engagement
Building confidence when communicating with individuals who need additional support
Creating more inclusive daily environments

One of the most rewarding parts of the training was seeing participants grow in confidence as the sessions progressed. Through activities, discussions and practical signing and symbol practise, teams began to recognise just how powerful accessible communication can be.

Embedding Makaton Into Everyday Practice

A key focus during both training sessions was exploring how Makaton can become part of everyday communication rather than something used occasionally.

Embedding Makaton successfully means using signs and visuals consistently within daily routines, activities, and interactions. This could include:

Supporting choices and decision-making
Using signs during personal care and routines
Reinforcing understanding with visual supports
Helping reduce anxiety through predictable communication
Encouraging social interaction and independence

When communication strategies are used consistently across teams, individuals often feel more confident, understood and included.

Frequently Asked Questions About Level 1 Makaton Training

What is Level 1 Makaton training?

Level 1 introduces the core concepts of Makaton and teaches practical everyday signs and symbols that can be used immediately within home, education, care and community settings.

Who can benefit from Makaton training?

Makaton training is valuable for professionals working in health care, social care, education, early years, community support and sports settings as well as parents and carers.

Do I need previous experience to attend?

No prior knowledge is needed. Level 1 training is designed for beginners and those looking to build confidence in inclusive communication.

How can Makaton support adults as well as children?

Makaton supports communication for people of all ages who may experience speech, language, or communication difficulties, helping improve understanding and reduce frustration.

Why is visual communication important?

Visual communication can reinforce spoken language, support memory and processing, reduce anxiety, and make communication more accessible.

Top Tips for Embedding Makaton in Care Settings

Use signs consistently alongside speech
Introduce visuals into everyday routines
Encourage all team members to participate
Keep communication simple, clear, and supportive
Practise regularly to build confidence naturally

Final Thoughts

Delivering Level 1 Makaton training with Enable and Support and Network Health and Social Care was a wonderful reminder of the growing commitment to inclusive communication across health and social care sectors.

Seeing professionals embrace Makaton and recognise the value of accessible communication is always incredibly encouraging. Small changes in communication approaches can have a lasting impact on confidence, understanding, and quality of life for the people being supported.