EMERGENCY services and other agencies have been benefiting from Hannahs expertise with lessons in communication technique Makaton.

Makaton helps people communicate by using signs, symbols and speech, and the technique can be used by agencies to make their services more accessible

The police and fire brigade were among several agencies to receive Makaton training at Hannahs Ivybridge recently. 20 people attended the two day course, including delegates from organisations including the NHS and Plymouth Community Homes.

Detective constable Rob Souness from the Plymouth diversity team of Devon & Cornwall Police said: ’As part of Devon & Cornwall Police’s mission statement we will protect the vulnerable and safeguard communities. Some of the most vulnerable people in our communities are people with communication difficulties and learning disabilities.

’If we can communicate basic needs at the first point of contact we will be in a position to give the individual the service they require, whether that is a police investigation or medical attention. This will build trust and assist with future contact. 

’We recognised the training needed to include multiple agencies as the initial responder might not be from the correct organisation to deal with the long term problem. As such we had staff from NHS, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Plymouth Community Homes as well as Devon & Cornwall Police attend the training.

’The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with all organisations’ staff stating it was a tool they would now use, and more importantly they felt they now had a way of communicating with a part of the community with who they were previously unable to talk.’

Makaton tutors Caroline Hodgson and Baukje Gregory from Hannahs said: ’The benefit of this multi-agency training is the opportunity to share and develop ideas, to work on how to overcome barriers and to improve communication for vulnerable people in crisis.

’This will hopefully improve the way people with communication difficulties are supported within their communities.’