John Mason International in the UK has introduced Makaton training for its moving crews and surveyors across the UK.

This initiative aims to provide crews with a fundamental understanding of the Makaton Communication Programme, enhancing their ability to communicate with customers and their children who have communication challenges.

Makaton training enables staff to communicate confidently with people who have communication difficulties and needs.  “I think it's important to understand the difference between sign language and Makaton,” said Simon Hood, Owner of John Mason International. “This isn’t just teaching crews how to sign.  The training offers ideas, advice, and guidance to improve communication, accessibility, and inclusion strategies. Makaton is a multimodal communication programme that uses speech, signs, and symbols, reducing frustration and opening up two-way communication.” With over 100,000 children and adults using it, Makaton has been shown to increase opportunities for personal expression, participation, and social interaction.

The training was conducted by Makaton tutor Corrine Lloyd. It covered the standard vocabulary required by The Makaton Charity, as well as specifically tailored vocabulary unique to the roles and daily interactions of John Mason International staff.

“I was delighted to deliver Makaton training for John Mason International,” said Corine. “The team are eager to communicate more effectively and provide a positive experience for their clients, during what may be an incredibly emotive time for them.  Being able to use Makaton signs and symbols to support their spoken language when they introduce themselves, ask what is going where and if they require any further help, will undoubtedly reduce the customer’s anxiety and enable them to build rapport and trust. With over 2.2 million people in the UK with speech, language and communication challenges, I hope that others follow in John Mason’s footsteps and make strides to ensure their communication is accessible to all.”

This initiative reflects John Mason International's commitment to breaking the ice and making the moving process more enjoyable and inclusive. Steve Quinn, one of John Mason International’s removal crew leaders based in Liverpool who participated in the training, shared his thoughts: “Learning Makaton has been an eye-opening experience. It's incredible to see the immediate impact it has on our interactions with customers, especially children. Being able to communicate in a way that makes them feel more comfortable and understood is deeply rewarding. It truly enhances the personal connection we strive to build with every move.”

Simon Hood emphasised the significance of this initiative: “Communication is at the core of what we do. We have always encouraged our crews to go out of their way to communicate with the entire family. This includes those who are hard of hearing, toddlers and those unfamiliar with the UK language, so it’s particularly useful for import jobs. While we handle only a handful of export jobs each year involving clients with communication difficulties, the significance of this training extends beyond those cases. It equips our crews with essential skills for effective customer communication and highlights our commitment to inclusivity, enhancing our reputation and aiding in recruitment efforts.”

Photo:  Screen grab from Makaton website.