School of Lifesaving staff complete Makaton course

School of Lifesaving staff complete Makaton course

1 May 2019

DOWNPATRICK School of Lifesaving has been taking part in a new training course.

Rhianna Rooney and Yvonne Smyth, who are both senior lifesaving teachers at Downpatrick School of Lifesaving, attended a Full Makaton for Beginners Course held recently in Castlewellan.

Aware of how beneficial the use of Makaton could be to the coaches of DSL, Yvonne approached the course tutor, Cynthia Robinson, with an idea that could assist the lifesaving club.

In a joint collaboration, a number of lifesaving signs and signals were consolidated into a Makaton course specific to lifesaving.

Yvonne said: “We are trying to offer inclusiveness within our sport, so we fully understand and appreciate the need for Makaton training.

“We have a team of 45 senior and junior volunteer coaches, with an additional eight parent helpers, delivering our lifesaving skill to approximately 150 local young people ages from six years up.

“We have had great satisfaction knowing that we can try to reach out to all.”

Downpatrick School of Lifesaving would like to thank Cynthia for her help and support.