Nikki - Makaton Tutor

03/11/2025

Please see a link to a piece of research work I was honoured to take part in with Loughborough University earlier this year. The DECODE project has the potential to be a game changer in reversing the disparity in health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

(To other tutors watching, the audio was recorded way in advance so I did my best with timings! 🙈)

A short animation coproduced by DECODE’s researchers, PPI (Public and Patient Involvement) partners, and participants – including carers and people with a le...

14/10/2025

I’ve spent the last 3 Monday evenings with a wonderful group of teaching staff in my local area. Great fun and wonderful signing. Through the teaching and discussion, they, like many, learned that what they thought was the sign for PIG all this time was something entirely different 🙈

If you are someone who uses Makaton in your setting it’s vital to learn Makaton correctly…. As the saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know ‘til you know”

Contact me here, or take a look at The Makaton Charity for more information on how to learn Makaton.

04/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZxkJA2fB3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

On Sunday 7th September, there will be a UK-wide Emergency Alert System Test.

We know loud alarms and unexpected alerts can feel worrying, so we’ve created a FREE Makaton download to help explain what will happen.

Download it today from the Makaton Library, simply search "alert".

Not got an account yet? Get your FREE 7 day trial here: https://bit.ly/3YmScdk

19/06/2025

Blue Light show at Kensington Olympia today.

I was privileged to be invited by the College of Paramedics to speak. My session was about communication: the evidence, law and ethics surrounding how it’s not currently effective, and of course, about how Makaton can significantly improve communication skills across all emergency service response.

A great audience and some thought provoking discussion.

I just wish it wasn’t quite so hot! Despite the huge baggy clothes I wore, I’m still sweating my wotsits off!

29/04/2025

Another successful Makaton for Urgent and Emergency Care workshop for East Midlands Ambulance Service today. There really is no better time to enhance your communication skills in the urgent and emergency care environment. This fantastic workshop equips you with communication skills to help you to really make a difference.
Get in touch with me or The Makaton Charity to find out how to get this workshop for your organisation!

17/04/2025

Over 4 years of dreaming about this day and wanting to make it happen… today I am delivering the first ever Makaton for Urgent and Emergency care workshop to my colleagues at East Midlands Ambulance Service in Kettering. I’m honoured to have been part of creating this amazing workshop.

Enhance communication skills and make a change!

05/03/2025

A tragically perfect example of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and a complete breach of care. Thank god this lady is now living life as she should have been for so long.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly43png991o.amp?fbclid=IwY2xjawI05AhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHV4zNE2L2wXn7lTWaeRSah3zolGuqfKGRAPYLaxbCVh0xd33AUGBq0EbAA_aem_euMnZDFZdXTlQ9j7-lKInQ

“Kasibba”, who is non-verbal and had no family to speak for her, was one of hundreds wrongly detained.

04/03/2025

Well it’s nearly time to deliver my first webinar.

Ive stood in front of lecture theatres full of students on many occasion but never done a webinar so im a bit nervous!

This is about communication as a whole but I’ll be talking all things Makaton in the hope of inspiring Paramedics and other clinicians around the UK, to learn Makaton.

In my lifetime I hope to see an inclusive, equitable and accessible healthcare system.

Huge thanks to the Makaton Charity for their support in making this happen.

Let’s go! 🤛

08/02/2025

Pssst.... there are still some spaces on my upcoming LEVEL 2 Makaton training. This is being held over 3 evenings in March: 12th, 19th, and 26th from 6:30-8:30pm ONLINE. Message me before next Sunday 15th to book!

07/02/2025

I’m honoured to have been asked to present this webinar in March to the Royal College of Paramedics. As part of this webinar on inclusive communication, I will be introducing Makaton to the attendees in the hope that many Paramedics and other ambulance staff will be inspired to learn Makaton 👌🏻 🤟

If you are one of the many student Paramedics (now qualified or still a student) who has learned some Makaton with me it’s worth joining the webinar! (And if you haven’t met me or learned any Makaton and you’re a member of the CoP, it’s one for you too!)