Whitelee Windfarm Ranger Service joins Makaton Friendly Scheme

By being part of the Makaton Friendly Scheme, this allows visitors to use the Whitelee Ranger Service in a simple and formal way to make Makaton users feel welcome, included in activities and enable them to access the Ranger Service.

Makaton is a language programme that gives everyone a helping hand to talk by using signs and symbols to help people communicate.

It is designed to support spoken language and helps speech, language and communication skills using gestures and pictures.

By joining the Makaton Friendly Scheme, this recognises that the Whitelee Rangers Service strives to make their services accessible to people who use Makaton to aid their communication.

Across the recent Bank Holiday, the Whitelee Ranger Service held its first Makaton event where participants were invited to explore the windfarm treasure-hunt style.

Through clues and the help of a map, hidden Makaton symbols were discovered along the way leading them to find the treasure.

The event was well received, with more than 100 people taking part across the day.

Kathleen McMillan, Whitelee Windfarm Ranger, said: “We are delighted to have received our Makaton Friendly Scheme certificate to enable us to offer our services to visitors who use Makaton, be this families, schools or local community groups.

“Makaton can be helpful for children and adults with learning and /or communication difficulties and we want them to feel welcome to use the Ranger Service. We were thrilled with the turnout of our first Makaton event and hope to hold more in the future.”

If this service is of interest for a group or event at Whitelee Windfarm, get in touch at [email protected] or call 0141 614 0962.

Future events designed for Makaton users will be held throughout the year and will be announced on its Twitter (@whiteleerangers) and Facebook (@whitelee.countrysiderangers) pages.