Hospice shows positive signs

Treetops Hospice has become the first adult hospice in the country to train up its own Makaton tutor to help staff and volunteers communicate better with patients and families.

Makaton is a unique language programme which uses signs and symbols alongside speech, to enable people with difficulties to communicate and be understood.

Ali Jordan, deputy wellbeing manager at Treetops, based in Risley, completed the intensive training earlier this year. It included learning 450 different signs and symbols of core vocabulary.

She said: “Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life – and at Treetops, we want to be able to communicate effectively with everyone who needs our support.

“Some of the people we care for might be losing language as a result of their life-limiting condition.

“As a full-qualified Makaton tutor, I can now train staff and volunteers across the whole charity and I’m looking forward to sharing my new knowledge and skills.”