My makaton journey: A personal commitment to communication
Discover the story behind Sign Sense Makaton, rooted in professional expertise and a deep personal understanding of the transformative power of accessible communication. My journey is one of dedication, lived experience, and an unwavering belief that every voice deserves to be heard.
The power of communication, redefined
My professional expertise is deeply informed by lived experience. My journey with Makaton started over 25 years ago when I trained as a teacher. After qualifying, I quickly realised that supporting children with additional needs was where my heart is . I was introduced to Makaton to communicate with pupils and support their learning in school.
Move on a few years and with my deep routed ability and passion, I used Makaton to support my daughter’s communication following her diagnosis of hydrocephalus, witnessing first-hand the profound power of supported communication in building connection within my family. In 2012, after suffering a stroke, I experienced this power again from a personal perspective, relying on Makaton as I relearned how to verbalise and express myself.
"Every voice deserves to be heard, every individual empowered to connect. This is my passion, and the heart of Sign Sense Makaton."
Gemma - The Founder of Sign Sense Makaton