“The Power of Local Community in Supporting People with Communication Difficulties – A Makaton International Awareness Day event in Weston super Mare, North Somerset.”

Communication is at the heart of connection. It’s how we share our thoughts, feelings, and needs. But for many people living with communication difficulties, everyday interactions that others take for granted—ordering a coffee, joining a group activity, or asking for help—can feel overwhelming. This is where the power of the local community comes in.

When communities come together to support communication, they make inclusion possible. A shop assistant who knows a few Makaton signs, a teacher who uses visual supports, or a small business with awareness of the many forms of communication people may use and who supports them to access local services, these small actions create huge impact. They show that everyone’s voice matters, no matter how it’s expressed. Community-led initiatives, such as awareness events, or support groups, build understanding and confidence. They empower not only the individuals with communication difficulties but also their families and friends, who often feel the weight of being misunderstood.

The ripple effect is powerful. When one person learns to adapt, others follow. Barriers break down, friendships form, and people who once felt excluded become active, valued members of their community. And for local businesses, the benefits are clear: being seen as welcoming and inclusive encourages more people to visit, return, and recommend. Inclusion doesn’t just strengthen community spirit—it also makes good business sense. At its core, supporting communication is not about specialist skills or expensive resources—it’s about kindness, patience, and a willingness to connect. Local communities have the unique power to make that happen, creating spaces where everyone belongs, every voice is heard, and local businesses thrive alongside the people they serve.

I recently organised an event for our community in Weston super Mare, North Somerset for local businesses, organisations and anyone with an interest in making our community inclusive and accessible, shining a spotlight on how we can better support people in our community with communication difficulties and introducing The Makaton Charity’s wonderfully revamped and user friendly ‘Makaton Places’. We were honoured to have our Deputy Mayor, Cllr Owen James attend alongside one of our other Town Councillors.

The event was very well attended by local businesses, Charities and organisations and local residents of our community who have family members that are Makaton users. I began by welcoming everyone to the event and for taking the time to find out more about Makaton and how we can really embed it into our community, in business, in public services and beyond. I demonstrated Makaton signs for ‘Hello, how are you?’ and ‘My name is..’ the attendees really enjoyed having a go at using the signs themselves! 

I also invited along Three Incredible Guest Speakers who are all committed to making our community a more inclusive and accessible place.

Chloë is a nurse, advocate, and creative communicator who uses her own lived experience to champion disability as a strength. With her assistance dog, Ocho, she shared powerful stories about partnership and the importance of clear communication. Together, they’ve captivated the attendees using honesty and humour to spark conversations about hidden disabilities, inclusive design, and the incredible impact of assistance dogs. Chloe demonstrated how her and Ocho communicate through the power of gestures and signs.

Louise is a published author, facilitator, and a leading voice in neurodiversity and inclusive practice. With over a decade of experience in health and social care she is also a lead facilitator for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, delivering nationwide training on Autism and Learning Disabilities. Louise joined us to share how inclusive communication can break down communication barriers especially within the Health & Social Care Sector, Lousie spoke about the shocking statistics that affect people with learning disabilities within healthcare and how this could be improved by better education and training around supporting people with their communication.

Adam is founder of Burley Inclusive, a post-16 provision for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). He has over 17 years of experience using signs and other forms of assistive communication. Adam shared inspiring stories that demonstrated how a few signs and small steps toward independence can lead to a remarkable difference in someone's health and wellbeing. Burley Inclusive are currently working towards becoming Makaton Friendly which is just wonderful!

Plenty of positive conversations were had, many important questions were raised and discussed, it was an inspiring and successful evening that showed just how powerful community collaboration can be. This is just the beginning—by continuing to work together, we can create a community where everyone feels included, supported, and heard. Even small steps, like learning a few Makaton signs, can make a big difference and help ensure that every voice in our community is valued.

Due to the massive success of this first event, I'm very much hoping to make this an annual event and have even bigger plans for our community over the coming year, it has really given me the confidence to be able to reach our wider community and sing (and sign!) about just how amazing and life-changing using Makaton can be, from the rooftops!"

Makaton International Awareness Day 2025.