The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Shop santas and their helpers can get a free lesson in sign language to make sure as many children as possible can join in the festive fun.
Two free sessions are available to teach people working as festive figures the key signs and symbols that will help ensure all children can experience the same magical moments while visiting Santa this year.
Regional Makaton tutors Julie Appleyard and Lisa Janes, who also work within the children’s speech and language therapy service at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, are putting on the sessions as part of a national Get Santa Signing campaign.
Julie said: “Makaton is a language programme which uses signs and symbols with speech to help people communicate.
“Having seen the success of the campaign elsewhere in England last year, we wanted to ensure children with communication difficulties have the same opportunity to interact with Santa as those with verbal skills.
“We hope that by teaching a handful of signs, we can make Santa and his helpers feel more confident when meeting children who have communication difficulties and for all children to have a magical experience.”
The three-hour sessions will take place on Thursday, November 16, from 5pm-8pm at the Johnson Community Hospital, Spalding.
Places for each session are limited, but applications are welcome from anyone who will be working in the county’s grottos this Christmas.
A list of Santas and grottos which have taken part in the sessions will be available shortly afterwards on LCHS’s website and social media pages (@LincsCommHealth on Facebook and Twitter) and on the official @GetSantaSigning Facebook page.
For more information, call Julie on 01205 367358, ext. 305 or visit the Facebook page.
