Jenny's son Charlie has autism and uses Makaton. Helping another boy with autism while at work inspired her to invent a Makaton symbol shopping list game that's now available in over 300 Asda stores nationwide to help make shopping fun!

The Brickworks Museum in Bursledon has gained Makaton Friendly status, making it the first museum in the south-east to achieve the accolade.

Working in a school and going into adult care I noticed a massive gap in our system. Where are service users able to use their social communicative skills? I had an idea… What if we had a whole a town become Makaton Friendly!”

‘It’s something different’, ‘a lot of fun’, ‘it’s uplifting’ and’ it makes me happy’... Lots of members say that using signs when we sing helps them learn and remember the words to songs.

It has been wonderful to see people’s confidence develop as the choir has grown, and with feedback like ‘It makes me happy,’ and ‘I want it to be forever and ever,’ it feels like we’re on the right track...

Makaton has helped us to receive Arts Council England funding twice to develop the production and to broaden the audience reach, so that even more complex needs families and groups can access Ribbet Ribbet Croak.

Emery Gate’s resident Santa, Nigel Ingles, went back to school learn Makaton.