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Freshney Place staff undertaking training to improve customer service

Posted: Thursday 15th August

Staff at Freshney Place will be taking part in Makaton training to develop their communication skills to further improve customer service.

Makaton Foundation Training is a multi-modal language programme which comprises of speech, signs and symbols to advance communication, language and literacy skills, whilst building confidence and social skills. Staff will learn some of the core Makaton signs and symbols through different games and activities which will assist them in dealing with people with or without any learning and communication difficulties.

To further support customers and their families, Freshney Place holds a weekly autism hour every Saturday morning until 10am, and are also planning to host an autism crafts event in October.

The training will be led by the experienced tutor, Rachel Downs, who has worked in the education sector teaching Makaton through music, speaking and listening skills as part of the English Nation Curriculum. She runs regular singalong and sign baby and toddler groups as well as running musical interaction sessions with adults with learning difficulties in residential care.

Makaton differs to British Sign Language BSL as it’s designed to support spoken language for people with learning or communication difficulties. BSL is a language with its own structure and grammar and uses hand signs, body language, facial expressions and lip patterns.