A choir who make use of a unique inclusive form of language gave a special performance to entertain staff and visitors at Stepping Hill Hospital as part of Learning Disability Week (16th – 22nd June.)
The Vivo Makaton Choir gave the performance in the hospital’s restaurant as part of a series of celebrations and information run by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s safeguarding adult team during the week.
The choir was part of a series of events run by them and the trust’s patient experience team, highlighting the support they offer for people with learning disabilities.
The safeguarding team also led colleagues across the hospital and the community in making a series of pledges to ensure people with learning disabilities receive the care and support they need.
The theme for year is ‘Do You See Me?’, which is all about people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued. The performance of the Vivo Makaton was a great illustration of this theme.
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to help people communicate. It has been shown to be very useful for people with learning or communication difficulties. The Vivo Care Choices’ Makaton Choir uses Makaton in all its performances and is made up of Vivo staff and people with learning disabilities and autism who access services.
The choir’s mission to celebrate diversity and facilitate communication for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) made them the ideal guests for the week.
This was the choir’s second visit to the hospital, having also appeared during last year’s Learning Disability Week. And once again, their performance was greatly enjoyed by staff, volunteers, visitors and patients.
Lee Woolfe, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Named Professional for Safeguarding said “It was wonderful to welcome the Vivo Makaton Choir to the hospital once more, and we all greatly enjoyed their performance. The theme for this year’s Learning Disability Week is ‘Do You See Me?’ and the expressive performance from the choir was a great way to bring this to life and show it in action.”