Local charity Treetops Hospice has become the first adult hospice in the country to train up its own Makaton tutor to help staff and volunteers better communicate with patients and families.
Makaton is a unique language programme which uses signs and symbols alongside speech, to enable people with difficulties to communicate and be understood.
Ali Jordan, Deputy Wellbeing Manager at Treetops, based in Risley, completed the intensive training earlier this year. The training included learning 450 different signs and symbols of core vocabulary.
Ali explained the difference her new tutor status will mean to the hospice. She said: “Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. From practical uses such as asking for a drink if you’re thirsty, to making friends and having fun.
“At Treetops, we want to be able to communicate effectively with everyone who needs our support. Some of the people we care for might be losing language as a result of their life-limiting condition, for example people with Motor Neurone Disease or dementia.
“I’ve been signing using Makaton for five years now and I had to do a lot of studying and exams to achieve this status so I’m really proud of myself. As a full-qualified Makaton tutor, I can now train staff and volunteers across the whole charity and I’m looking forward to sharing my new knowledge and skills.”
Ali will be teaching Makaton in a new programme called ‘Watch My Needs’ designed to support people living with dementia..
“Both the person with dementia and their carer are introduced to signs and symbols to help to support their communication for as long as possible. This can reduce frustration and anxiety.”
Treetops Hospice achieved Makaton-friendly status in 2020 and is the only adult hospice to be achieve this award.
More than 100,000 children and adults in the UK use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or to support speech. Users include people with learning or communication difficulties, and their families, friends, education and health professionals.
For further information about Treetops services visit www.treetops.org.uk or call 0115 949 6944.
This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.