Stroll and Sign | Include.org

Meet Anne…

Now retired, Anne spent her long career as a youth worker and teacher bringing the joy of music to hospitals and schools in Epsom, south London and Uganda. Two years ago Anne joined Include.

Volunteering in inclusive communication

When I heard about Include I was so pleased to see music combined with Makaton back in Epsom. I believe so much in the power of music for mental wellbeing. Because I enjoyed previous experiences so much, I wanted to know more about this initiative. I’ve done some performances with The Include Choir, including the Ashley Centre and train station in Epsom and Bourne Hall in Ewell, and I go on Stroll and Sign walks most months.

Members of The Include Choir in Epsom rehearse. They have an object of reference to represent friendship - it is a string of paper dolls.

Communication is a basic human need that enables self-expression and the ability to relate to others and make sense of experiences.

Thanks to groups like the Include Choir, progress is being made towards a more inclusive society and the Include leadership is inspirational.

A passion for music

I didn’t have the opportunity to learn how to play a band instrument as a child although I always enjoyed listening to live music. While teaching at a secondary school I supported the concert band and was inspired by a couple of teachers who were learning how to play the saxophone. It made me realise it’s never too late to learn and I decided to have clarinet lessons. I also play the ukulele and since retiring I really enjoy playing with a concert band.

A couple of years after doing teacher training at University of Wales Trinity St David I was teaching at a primary school in Lambeth, where I was also deputy head. While there I had the opportunity to study the Orff method of teaching music for a year on day release at the University of Roehampton. This method uses speech, dance, singing, drama, movement and using percussion instruments and is an inclusive approach to music education that is good for all ages and musical abilities.

Communication and self-expression

Pupils in my school were very responsive to the Orff method of learning music and a highlight was performing at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Some years later I taught basic skills and music at St Ebba’s and the Manor in the Epsom hospital cluster (a group of hospitals) and the community. They had high quality instruments and lessons were very popular. The students were enthusiastic and the community was very supportive. Using the Orff method in my music classes allowed students to communicate and express themselves, gain confidence, explore emotions, build self-esteem and have an enjoyable and fun time.

Using Makaton

I first learnt Makaton when I attended a day course led by Margaret Walker, a founder of Makaton. I was then able to integrate this method of communication into my teaching. I also taught key vocabulary to staff and support workers so they were able to communicate with the learners. I taught Makaton while teacher training in primary schools and supporting staff at Elizabeth House, an amazing residential centre for children and young people in Mukono, Uganda, with wonderful dedicated and inspirational staff.

Include highlights

The Include Choir performances are always a highlight, seeing the audience’s reaction. Also seeing the enjoyment, confidence, sense of belonging and increased communication skills that members get from taking part in Include activities. Include is a great group to belong to for those with and without communication difficulties. I’d encourage everyone to challenge themselves to learn Makaton and enjoy the benefits of music and walking with a group of such kind and understanding people.

Find out how to get involved with Include here:

Stroll & Sign walks: Stroll and Sign | Include.org

The Include Choir: The Include Choir | Include.org

Or email info@include.org to find our more about our Makaton training

Penny Sims
Penny Sims
Communications, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead

A lot of miles for Include

How did it start?

“I found out about Include from a leaflet I took when I was at The Grange. I wanted to meet new people and I already liked singing and I did Makaton signing too.”

Amelia at The Include Choir singing and Makaton signing. she wears a purple top and glasses

“I’ve found lots of good things to do with Include. I do the Stroll and Sign walks, and nearly all the choir events. Singing and signing and volunteering as Deputy Choir Rep for The Include Choir in Epsom,” says Amelia.

How far would you go for Include?

Maria (Amelia’s Mum) says; “It’s over an hour to go to Include sessions (and over an hour back!), but Amelia loves it so much that we travel from where we live to go to Include. We wait until it’s finished and then drive home again. We are looking to move house and one of the factors in our decision of where to live is access to Include. We want to be closer!”

Amelia is taking part in Run Reigate on 22nd September to raise funds for Include. Maria says; “She loves that kind of stuff – and she is doing this mainly because she wants to raise money for Include.” She will be doing a Half Marathon – 13 miles. “She is quite fit and athletic – she is always running about with football, cricket all sorts. She has all the stamina and energy she needs!”

Ameila says; “I am looking forward to running the half marathon.”

That’s a lot of miles for Include in one way or another.

Why does Include matter to Ameila?

“She always tells everyone about Include – “please come along, or please sponsor me” – she tells everyone how wonderful it is – she loves it basically,” says Maria.

“My favourite thing so far was going to Wisley for a Stroll and Sign walk. I like nature, everything about it – and walking – being active with other people. I like the exercise and it’s good for my wellbeing and mental health,” says Amelia.

Maria adds; “There is generally less on in the holidays, so to go on an Include Zoom or walk at Wisley in the holidays means a lot. In term-time too, when she comes home from Choir on Tuesday nights or from one of the weekend walks – she is always really happy. She is quite inquisitive and comes afterwards and says I saw this and I saw that.

Amelia sums it up; “Include makes me happy – I’m excited for Tuesdays to go to choir. I can’t wait to go back after the holidays.”

Making us blush!

“The Stroll and Signs are great – and the singing and signing it’s the unique mix that Include offers – it’s quite diverse,” Maria says.

“Alix is a nice person, she talks to me. And the volunteers help a lot too,” says Amelia.

Mum adds; “Alix is amazing. She wants to always help people – she is so giving – an amazing person. And thank you to the volunteers too for supporting Amelia – everyone is so amazing – it’s a big friendly lovely environment.”

The fun and learning keeps going…

“I sing the songs and sign sometimes and teach them to my mum.”

“Yes, Ameila never forgets about what she does with Include – it’s always on her mind.”

Sponsor Ameila for her Half Marathon:

Help Amelia and Include to keep going! Here is the link to her fundraising page if you can donate anything at all, it will be hugely appreciated:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/amelia-solari-1725010645489

And a HUGE Thank You to Amelia for running for Include.

We are in awe of you.

Penny Sims
Penny Sims
Communications, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead

Meet Beth

Everyone is welcome

When I talk to people about Include, I always say how much it has made a huge, positive impact in my life and improved my quality of life, given me a purpose and that it is the BEST charity I have ever come across where EVERYONE is included, everyone is welcome.

I want the world to know that there is no place anywhere that makes you feel so included, safe, comfortable, happy and purposeful as Include does.

How it started

I first found out about Include by research. I moved back down to Surrey from Coventry, and wanted to find out if there were any Makaton groups nearby and that’s how I came across Include. I messaged Alix and it all went from there.

I wanted to get involved because I was very lonely and I enjoy Makaton so much, and use it a lot personally.

At first, I was very anxious, only because I always am when facing new places, people and situations BUT this didn’t last long! Soon I was comfortable and felt ‘included’ and part of an amazing community and surrounded by lovely, genuine people.

When I first went to Include, I started off just joining in the choir every Wednesday evening in Redhill.

Growing in confidence

It wasn’t long before I wanted to volunteer, make a difference and help others.

I also started to attend some of the Stroll and Sign walks on Saturdays, going to performances, and helping to design the new ‘Star of the month’ certificate and another certificate.

I am also now part of the Champions Group which I really enjoy and feel we all make a difference by working on and designing Easy Reads for people and giving examples and explaining things like ‘reasonable adjustments’ etc. 

Since being part of Include, I have gained confidence, made friends and have something to really look forward to each week; helping others, having fun, being included and having a purpose.

Signs of Change

Although I already knew most Makaton signs before I came across include, I have gained more skills from The Include Choir and the Champions Group. These include improved speaking and listening skills, trusting people because I feel comfortable with the people I’m surrounded by and learnt a couple more skills on my computer.

The things I do with Include really help me day to day and help my support workers, family and others around me to understand and communicate with me, and others in a better or different ways.

When I struggle, I can become non-verbal, so for support workers and family to know basic Makaton signs is very important and helpful. I am now able to feel confident to teach them the important basic signs that are useful so that they can best support me. 

I think it is important for people in all sorts of jobs to know basic Makaton e.g. hospital staff, doctors, teachers in schools, dentists and other professionals that might come across people who may use a different form of communication like Makaton.

We are all different…

My favourite quote is ‘we are all different, but all equal’ and I feel everyone at Include is treated equally no matter what their needs are and this makes me very proud to be a part of such an amazing group.

The next step in my Include story is to do volunteering more and make more of a difference, help people more, improve more skills and gain more confidence.

I have a goal and that is to do a solo Makaton song at Christmas, I hope I can get enough confidence in time.

Discovering Include is the BEST thing that’s happened and I am very grateful for all that everyone does to make it such a lovely, enjoyable group.

Penny Sims
Penny Sims
Communications, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead