“Everyone really deserves to have that inclusion at Christmas – they deserve to have it all the time and but at Christmas especially.”
Calling all Santas! Father Christmas is being given the unique chance to communicate in sign language as part of a new initiative to make sure everybody can enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Claire Thompson, a learning disability nurse from Belfast, is offering festive helpers the chance to learn Makaton – a language commonly used by children who have speech and language difficulties – as well as BSL (British Sign Language).
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It can be used by children with hearing difficulties as well as children who are non-verbal or have issues with speaking or noise, such as children with autism.
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Claire started Makaton Mondays back in January 2022 and each week, she shares short videos teaching new Makaton signs and symbols in an easy, engaging way. She shares her weekly lessons on social media so that a greater range of people can have access to Makaton and hopefully learn something with every video.
Claire now works with the Mae Murray Foundation, a Northern Ireland charity that creates inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part, belong, and enjoy life together — whether on the beach, in sport, leisure, or everyday activities.
And with Christmas just around the corner, Claire wants it to be an inclusive time for everyone. So if you’re going to be a Santa or are helping Santa this year, you can join a free one-hour Zoom Makaton workshop with Claire on Wednesday, November 5 from 6–7pm. You’ll learn key Makaton signs and symbols to help make magical moments more accessible for children and young people who use Makaton.
Another free event will also be held on Friday, December 5 from 6-8pm with a chance to visit ‘Signing Santa’ (BSL) at Ballycopeland Windmill, Windmill Rd, Millisle, Newtownards.
Claire told Belfast Live “The Makaton workshop is exclusively for those stepping into Santa’s boots this Christmas. Together, we can make sure the magic of Christmas is shared by all. Makaton is for everybody, and they will be learning ‘hello, how are you? 1My name’s Santa, what’s your name, what do you want for Christmas’ – different signs that an everyday Santa would be asking them.
“Christmas is for everybody, so everyone deserves the right to go to see Santa, who will be able to communicate with them. I just think our world is so scary, and how much scarier is it if you can’t communicate? That is why Makaton Mondays started for people going into a hospital setting to try and ease that anxiety and fear and it’s the same as going to see Santa.
“Every child and every adult (who still believes) deserves that chance and Santa deserves to have that opportunity to talk to them too, to just hear from them, and how lovely that Santa’s able to communicate back.
“For the Santa’s in those environments, I’m sure they would maybe get a bit anxious if they have someone who is non-verbal coming to them so how amazing that they’d be able then to communicate. We’ll also be going through the BSL alphabet in our Makaton session because then if there’s someone who is deaf, they’re able to communicate that way as well.
“This workshop is only for those acting as Santa/Mrs Claus wanting to spread magic to all children and young people this Christmas. Everyone really deserves to have that inclusion at Christmas – they deserve to have it all the time and but at Christmas especially.”
Sign up now: https://forms.gle/rvAiNMXYmqhXudKu6 and you can follow along and learn on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube at @MakatonMondays. It’s free to become a member of The Mae Murray Foundation so check them out on www.maemurrayfoundation.org.
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