Makaton Training UK - Delivering training in-person across the South West and Online across the UK
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With 30 years of professional and personal experience. A background in health and social care, early years, and primary education, gives me a well-rounded understanding of communication needs in a wide range of settings.
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I offer practical, engaging training that can be shaped to fit your setting — whether you’re part of a large health trust, a multi-site care or early years provider, an academy trust, a school, a small independent nursery, a care home or supported living organisation. My aim is to help you confidently embed Makaton into everyday practice, creating more inclusive and supportive environments for everyone.
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As a guest speaker/trainer at universities and colleges across the South West, I love sharing my knowledge and inspiring future professionals in education, health, social care, and sport.
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Delivering Makaton training both locally and nationally — from large charities and corporate teams to small, community-based settings. Every session is designed to make a real difference, giving you the tools and confidence to help the people you support..
Recently Jessie May published this wonderful article about their experience of Makaton training with
Ali Pennington - Makaton Training UK - You can read it HERE Makaton with Jessie May - Jessie May
This weeks training highlights!
I had a wonderful week delivering to two twilight training sessions for primary schools. Both schools are really passionate about wanting to embed Makaton into practice which is just fantastic! Across both schools, all staff team members have, or are in the process of, completing training. One school completed the 2 hour school focussed taster workshop, the other school is completing their Level 1 training over two, 3 hour, twilight sessions, so I'm very much looking forward to visiting again next week!
Official Makaton training is so important, many people tell me they are having to self-teach using online videos which is far from ideal. One of the reasons is because although there are lots of lovely sign videos out there, there are so many mis-signed words, inaccurate sign videos etc, it's important if you are looking online for Makaton videos, to look for the Makaton Tutor logo so you know the signs are accurate and have been translated correctly. Also, it's important to understand the formal levels of Makaton and the reasons behind the signs too.
Copying videos does not replace official training, not only do we learn signs, training covers information about the reasons why we sign, the benefits, the research behind using Makaton, levels of Makaton use, multi-modal approaches, the use of AAC and so, so much more! It's a small investment with such huge pay-offs for staff teams and the children they support daily.
Huge well done to the staff teams at Kewstoke Primary School and St. Josephs Catholic Primary and Nursery School!
Have you seen my BRAND NEW 'Diary of a Makaton Tutor' blog? Take a look HERE
