Creating new partnerships in the community

Vivo Care Choices’ Makaton Choir has been working closely with Hebden Green School in Winsford to promote Makaton and encourage more people to use it as a way of communicating.

Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to allow people to communicate.

Now an in-house service at Cheshire West and Chester Council, Vivo provides a range of support for people with learning disabilities and autism and older people, with Makaton used extensively across its different services.

The Makaton Choir has been a huge hit since it was formed last year, performing at several high-profile events, such as the Learning Disability Conference and a Christmas light switch-on.

This latest project has seen the Makaton Choir link up with Hebden Green School, which supports pupils aged two to 19 with complex medical, learning and physical needs. 

Both the Makaton Choir and pupils at Hebden Green have learned their favourite songs over a six-week period and a group of around 40 people performed them at a recent celebration event.

The groups have developed singing and signing skills and built up their self-esteem and confidence to perform, allowing individuals to share a love of music and signing, learn group skills and promote better listening and communication.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “Vivo’s Makaton Choir is developing all the time and getting involved with more and more events and initiatives.

“This partnership with Hebden Green School has been a great way for people in the Makaton Choir to connect with young people in the local community and share their knowledge of Makaton.

“Pupils at Hebden Green have benefited from Vivo’s visits and seeing what services for adults with complex needs are like. 

“The more people using Makaton as a way of the communicating, the more welcoming and accessible we can make west Cheshire for those who depend on it.”

For more information about Vivo and its range of services, visit: 

vivocarechoices.co.uk.

Hebden Green School’s website can be found at: 

hebdengreen.cheshire.sch.uk.

Pictured - Vivo's Makaton Choir and Hebden Green School have been promoting the use of Makaton.