Essential skills training - Sara Canham

06/06/2026

For people with developmental and intellectual disabilities too often, “lacks capacity” really means “wasn't given a fair chance.” Capacity is not measured by how quickly someone understands an explanation that was rushed, full of jargon, or delivered only once. People with intellectual disabilities have the right to information presented in ways that make sense to them, with time to ask questions and support to understand. Before deciding that someone cannot make a complex decision, we should first ask whether we have done a good enough job of explaining it.
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ID: Text reads: People with intellectual disabilities are often judged to lack capacity without proper support to understand. Image shows a professional-looking person is talking to a support worker. The speech bubble reads: “Tom lacks capacity to make complex decisions.” Person with intellectual disability with a thought bubble: You explained it once. Badly.

30/05/2026

Don’t assume anything!

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

We must think about the words we use….

You do not ‘feed’ people you ‘feed’ pets, you ‘assit’ someone with eating ….

When you or I go shopping, go out with friends, we don’t say we are ‘going into the community’ ……
We need to think about how the words we use, can dehumanise the people we are supporting …

It's said too easily in the field of intellectual and developmental disability support. “Attention-seeking." It sounds professional. Measured.

Our words matter because they shape our actions. When we call something “attention-seeking,” we give ourselves permission to step back, to manage rather than respond.

But if we choose to see communication instead, then we are called to do more. To listen differently. To take responsibility for hearing what was said, even when it wasn’t said in a way we expected.

When we don’t understand the way someone communicates, it doesn’t mean there’s no meaning; it means we haven’t understood it yet.
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ID: The title of the image reads: People with intellectual disabilities asking for help are often labelled as “attention-seeking.” A professional-looking person is talking to a support worker. The speech bubble reads: “Sarah displays attention-seeking behaviour.” Person with an intellectual disability with a thought bubble: I was asking for help.

01/04/2026

Be part of something special this Makaton International Awareness Day 2026!

We’re teaming up with the incredible Electric Umbrella for a joyful, inclusive online songwriting workshop and we want Makaton users to lead the way 💛

Together we’ll start creating a brand new community song celebrating Makaton. Your ideas, experiences and creativity will shape the lyrics, from themes to signs!

In this interactive session, you’ll:
🎵 Listen to music
👐 Use Makaton signs
💡 Share your ideas and themes
🗣️ Help decide what the song is all about

Families, carers, schools, colleges and supporters are all welcome to join but the creative direction will come from Makaton users taking part.

After the workshop, Electric Umbrella will use the ideas from the group to begin writing the song. There will also be a second session where you can help sing and sign in the final recording and video!

✨ Come along, share your voice, and help create something meaningful for the whole Makaton community.

📅 Don’t miss out – find out more & sign up here:
https://ow.ly/UYPo50YBIqJ

📌 Please note: This Zoom session will be recorded as part of the song creation.

26/03/2026

A painless new method of conducting blood tests in people with learning disabilities is currently being trialled by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT).