With only a few weeks left until Christmas, Santa and his elves are busy getting everything ready for the big day, but this year Santa has set himself an extra special challenge.
He’s been visiting No Limits Cafe, Kitchen and Hub in Newton Abbot, where the staff – and a few elves – have been teaching him how to sign.
No Limits on Sherborne Road helps train young people with additional needs by inviting them to join its team serving tasty treats to the general public.
Santa pictured with head elf, Sarah at No Limits Cafe, Kitchen & Hub in Newton Abbot
(Image: No Limits Cafe, Kitchen & Hub)
The cafe is autism-friendly and accessible for disabled people and those with additional needs. It also has expertise in different forms of communication.
Its staff have been helping Santa learn Makaton to help him communicate with people who may rely on signs and symbols to communicate.
Makaton is designed to help hearing people with learning or communication difficulties, and it uses signs and symbols alongside speech – although people can also use it without speech.
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Santa said there’s a lot to learn but said he’s been busy learning key Christmassy phrases, including, ‘What would you like for Christmas?’ ‘I have a present for you’ and perhaps the most important one of all, ‘Make sure you go to bed early.’
He will then be using his new skills to communicate with children in small groups when he visits No Limits on December 4 and 11.
No Limits said there’re still a few spaces left for children to join Santa’s Makaton visits – which will include him reading The Night Before Christmas with help from lead elf Sarah, a gift, and a chance to make some reindeer food and enjoy a hot chocolate and cookie.
For some people with additional needs, visits to Santa can be tricky and, as it often involves queuing, can be overwhelming and can lead to sensory overload.
Communication barriers can also stop people from fully enjoying the experience, so Santa is thrilled to help make Christmas memories for more children this year.
“The idea of making them feel valued and including them is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“For quite a few of them, it will be the first time they’ve met and been able to communicate with Santa.
“It’s absolutely lovely. It’s really special for the kids, and that’s what Christmas is about in a sense, it’s about giving, and it’s about the kids.
“There’s a really new community in Newton Abbot.”
And Santa had a very important message to pass on …….
Source: https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/family-kids/father-christmas-learned-sign-language-6266117