My name is Thamanna and I am
a newly qualified speech and language therapist who is volunteering
with Total Communication
and Rochdale People First.
I have a strong passion to advocate for Adults with Learning Disabilities
and support their lifestyle.
Learning, Leading and Signing
Today at my Total Communication volunteering session with Bury People First, our group continued planning for our upcoming event, Communication Nation- a celebration of communication, independence and self‑advocacy. The event will raise both funds and awareness, and what I love most is that it’s being shaped with our self‑advocates at every step. Their voices, choices and ideas are at the centre of everything.
Learning Signalong through music
One of the highlights of the session was learning a new song: “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys, taught using Signalong. To help everyone learn the keywords, each person was given a picture representing one of the signs e.g. boys, fight, right, homework, hair, cut. The visuals made the learning accessible and fun, and they gave everyone something concrete to focus on.
We made sure to give each group member enough time to: look at their picture, process what the sign meant, watch the sign being modelled, practise it at their own pace
Repeating the sign around the room ensured everyone had a clear view, which is especially important for people who rely on visual cues. The atmosphere was relaxed, supportive and full of laughter-exactly what communication learning should feel like.
Turn-taking and interaction skills
A big part of the session involved turn-taking, waiting for the person before you to finish their sign before moving on. It sounds simple, but it’s a powerful communication skill. Turn-taking helps build attention, social awareness, respect for others’ communication space, and confidence in expressive communication.
Planning Communication Nation
We also spent time planning the event itself. What I loved most was seeing how much independence and autonomy the service users were given. They chose which activities they wanted to lead, discussed what resources they already had, and identified what needed to be bought. Some even started thinking about transport planning, which is a huge step in self‑advocacy and confidence-building.
This wasn’t just an event-planning meeting - it was
a space where people could practise:
decision-making, organisation skills, problem-solving,
and working collaboratively.
It was empowering to see everyone take ownership of their roles.
Tickets are now available for this fantastic annual event via Skiddle, just follow the link below:
How simple sign-supported communication can help colleagues, service users, customers and visitors feel included.
Good communication is at the heart of every inclusive workplace. It helps people feel confident, understood and able to take part fully in everyday conversations, meetings and services. Introducing Signalong is one practical way we can make communication more accessible for people who may use speech, signs, gestures, facial expression or visual support to understand and be understood.
What is Signalong?
Signalong is a key word sign-supported communication system based on British Sign Language and used in spoken word order. It combines speech, signs, body language, facial expression and tone of voice to strengthen the link between a word and its meaning. It is designed to support people with communication needs, learning disabilities and autism.
Why introduce it at work?
Using Signalong at work is not about replacing speech. It is about adding another route into communication. A few consistent signs for everyday words such as hello, help, yes, no, toilet and finished can reduce anxiety, support understanding and show that communication needs are respected. When teaching Signalong it is best to start with vocabulary which is motivating to the individual, however a few basic core signs in the workplace is a good start. Signalong supports understanding so staff using signs regularly creates a signing rich environment which makes it more likely that any supported people will use the signs themselves.
For colleagues, it can make interactions clearer and more welcoming. For customers, service users and visitors, it can create a stronger sense of dignity and belonging. For teams, it encourages everyone to slow down, check understanding and think more carefully about how messages are shared.
Visual support for communication
Signing systems like Signalong help because:
Many learners are visual thinkers
Signs slow down communication, giving more processing time
Signs make the speaker visually identifiable
Signs provide an alternative expressive tool
These benefits make signing powerful for both understanding and expressing messages.
Signalong, BSL and Makaton: understanding the difference
It is important to use the right communication approach for the person. British Sign Language is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, structure and culture, used by many Deaf people in the UK. Signalong and Makaton are different: they are sign-supported communication systems that are usually used alongside spoken English to support understanding and expression. If someone uses BSL, the best approach is to ask what communication support they prefer, which may include a qualified BSL interpreter.
Why Signalong is preferred for people with learning disabilities
1. Clear, precise methodology
Signalong breaks every sign down into handshape, orientation, placement, and movement, supported by clear line drawings. This precision means practitioners can accurately reproduce signs without needing extra classes or a trainer, making it more accessible and scalable.
2. One sign per concept (and one concept per sign)
Signalong was originally developed in special school, so it uses a consistent one‑concept‑one‑sign approach. This reduces confusion and helps learners with communication support needs build reliable associations. It uses English word order and is easier to learn than BLS for people with existing language difficulties associated with learning disability.
3. Large vocabulary (9,000+ signs)
Signalong offers a very wide sign library — over 9,000 signs — giving practitioners flexibility to support people with diverse needs, including vocabulary for different communities in the UK.
4. Highly accessible learning materials
This is one of the main advantages of Signalong . Signalong’s manuals, online library and resources use clear illustrations and structured descriptions, unlike some systems that rely on stick figures or minimal text. This improves accuracy and confidence for new learners.
5. Training that focuses on practitioner skill development
Signalong offers accredited courses and workshops that build real signing competence, giving practitioners flexibility in choosing signs appropriate for each individual. At total Communication Services CIC we teach 250 signs in our 1 day workshop as well as the methodology. Other systems suggest multiple training sessions are required which is additional cost in terms of releasing staff and covering course fees.
6. Self-advocates chose this system
For Total Communication Services CIC this is the most important reason we use Signalong. Work in the 1990s in Oldham Learning disability services involved consulting service users about the sign support systems available. They chose Signalong as their preferred approach. Since then, Oldham services have led the way in continuing to use Signalong across services and age ranges. To our knowledge this is the only large consultation and user led decision which led to policy change across a range of services, we need to listen to their voice.
Why choose Total Communication Services CIC
for Signalong training ?
Total Communication Services CIC is ideally placed to deliver Signalong training because its work is rooted in communication rights, choice, personalisation and emotional well-being for people with learning disabilities. As a Community Interest Company, its focus is on practical social impact: helping services, families and organisations make communication more accessible in everyday life.
The team brings specialist experience across speech and language therapy, communication assessment, accessible information, advocacy, co-production, Intensive Interaction, Talking Mats, communication passports and person-centred communication. That breadth matters because effective Signalong training is not just about learning signs; it is about understanding how people communicate, how environments can support or block communication, and how staff can use signs meaningfully in real situations.
Total Communication Services CIC also offers tailored training and resources for organisations, including Signalong workshops and practical follow-up support. This means training can be shaped around the needs of a particular workplace, team or service user group, rather than delivered as a one-size-fits-all session. Their knowledge, specialist skills and commitment to inclusive communication make them a strong partner for any organisation wanting to embed Signalong with confidence and purpose.
Contact : alison@totalcommunication.org
to discuss your workplace requirements.
Updated: May 9
As part of the National Lottery funded Communicate and Connect project, we have been working closely with services who provide support for adults with learning disabilities, particularly Persona Care and support Bury. Support workers can be overlooked as key to the success of communication with people with learning disabilities. Many are highly skilled, adapting their communication, altering their spoken language and using sign support. Our next blog was written by such a support worker from Persona Care and Support Bury.
We were approached by Coral after the training to say she had written something to support our next bid. We decided it would make a great blog so we could share her views from the perspective of support staff.
‘My name is Coral Mulligan and I am a support worker, supporting adults with learning disabilities at one of the many day centres run by Persona Care and Support. I am hoping to make a difference and advocate for those who do not have the capabilities to be able to voice their needs vocally. Within the day centres at Persona, we support a variety of lovely individuals who differ in terms of their level of support needs and ways of communication. As a member of staff my first priorities are to; deliver care and support that is person centred, safeguard the individuals and build positive relationships with them. Being able to communicate with who I support to learn more about them, ask questions and understand them is an essential part of my role. Those I support communicate with staff to express feelings, likes and dislikes and also concerns. This ensures the safety and positive well-being of all at the centre.
A part of my role is to undertake many forms of training which can be mandatory or voluntary. I recently put myself forward, as did other staff at Persona, to take part in a days training of Signalong with Alison and Helen from Total Communication Services CIC. This was a training session that was offered, however only a certain number of staff were able to participate in this, meaning a lot of staff did not get to experience this. During this training session we learned many essential signs that I have been using now myself in my work. The sessions were led by Alison and Helen from Total Communication Services CIC and students studying speech and language therapy at university and are currently focusing on connecting and communicating with others.
The knowledge, understanding and passion those people had have inspired me greatly. They made the training session fun, interactive and very memorable, providing very helpful books with basic signs I am going to need in everyday life. The books were to take home with us so we can further our own knowledge. Our staff knowledge was tested and put to practice when they visited our different day services to teach Signalong to the individuals we support. Again, this was a fun session which even more staff and the individuals gained a lot from. For the second time I was a witness to the passion, knowledge and thought put into the sessions that made who I support all feel included and learn new skills. At Persona we focus on the enablement of who we support. The training I have received will allow us to develop a way to confidently and competently use Signalong in our roles which will subsequently empower those who communicate non- verbally, which is a large amount of those I support.
Some of the people I support can face communication barriers daily and they are considered to be very vulnerable in their day-to-day lives. From this training I am confident I can communicate basic needs and wants with them. to ensure I am person centred. This consequently improves the relationships, and their safety and wellbeing by having a better understanding of one another. The people I support will now feel more included and a part of the community as Signalong is an inclusive form of communication.
The value and appreciation I have placed upon this training as well as Total Communication Services CIC for delivering this, is immense, and I am so glad that myself, my colleagues and people I support will benefit from this. I truly do believe other companies will benefit just as much and everyone learning Signalong will better the quality of lives of non-verbal people. As a company and staff team we ourselves face many barriers which include funding for the best resources, that are also accessible to who we support. To further develop what we have learnt we will need the best resources we can find, many of which I believe should come from Total Communication Services CIC due to the understanding they have of Signalong, the passion they exude and the connection they have secured with Persona. We have discussed many ideas that have been agreed on by other staff that will further benefit who I support.
Signalong is a great and necessary way of communicating that I wish more people know, understand and are taught. It is a vital way to communicate and connect with people. I hope Total Communication Services can receive more funding so they are able to share these training sessions, Signalong resource packs with many more people so thousands of other people can feel and notice the positive impact this will have in the work place, communities and one day the world. As one staff member in one company I feel the benefit of just two sessions. Imagine the wider impact they can have with the funding allowing them to reach more people and do more sessions with better resources to share.
The National Lottery Fund is a distinguished way to help those achieve inspirational ideas and Total Communication is absolutely a service that is more than deserving of some funding to benefit many people in terms of communication, connection and inclusion.’
