WHEN children and staff 'signed' songs at a school Christmas concert and a church carol service, it was a rare moment for 'special needs' governor, Alison Price, the whole school and for Judy Sant.

Judy, childcare development officer at Teme Working SRB, was given the job of producing a childcare project levelled at improving services for families with children with special needs, writes Jen Green.

The project, originally set up by Jo Wells from Teme Rural Chall-enge, took off after requests for sign language training had come in from schools, childcare groups and childminders.

Courses in Signalong, a form of British Sign Language, were set up.

Judy said: "Communication for people of all ages with special needs is vital and by setting up these special courses at early years level, in which all can take part, helps to spread awareness of the benefits to be shared by children, parents, staff members and community."

Tenbury Primary has been at the forefront of the development programme in this area and many of the staff and children have been introduced to sign language by teacher Linda Armishore who organised signalongs at Christmas concerts at the Regal and St Mary's Church, Tenbury.

Mrs Price said: "I became interested in learning to sign when my speech therapist said it would help our daughter's language and literacy skills. So I asked Judy Sant if she would be able to help fund a signalong course.

"Now, thanks to her efforts and support, we have nurseries, childminders, playgroups and school staff who have new skills in working with children who may have hearing impairments or other communication difficulties."

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Spreading the word across the community that this new communication is available, not only to children but to older people with communication difficulties, is an important feature in the project.

With proper training, learning to sign can open up a new, inclusive way of life for them, their families and friends keen to get the message that talking together through sign language can open up new experiences for everyone.

Judy Sant added: " We want to involve everyone in our area and encourage child carers across the county to take 'Signalong' on board, run with it and pass it onto people to show what can be achieved to make communication between people easy and comfortable. The more the good news spreads, the more accepting signing becomes in every walk of daily life."

The project, along with many other similar schemes, is funded by the Teme Working Single Regeneration Budget, other projects under the banner, include an all-day course on First Aid for childcarers, planned for March 8 at Onibury and 'Spring Crafts, a practical workshop with Georgina Painter at Tenbury Pump Rooms on March 12. In addition, a successful bid to the Learning and Skills Council has provided funds for a co-ordinator for Ludlow College Childminder Network.

On the downside, the Teme Working Childcare programme ends in March: funding is still needed to continue training in sign language and Mrs Sant is keen to hear from funders interested in supporting this valuable project. However, until then, training is still available to people interested in taking it up to help prevent social and learning exclusion.

Alison Price, now parent representative on Worcestershire's Inclusion Steering Group', which works towards enabling more children with special needs to be educated locally, added: "I am delighted that in the Tenbury Wells area there are now nurseries, childminders, playgroups and school staff working together to benefit our children."

For further information, call Judy Sant 01584 819 346