“Children aged as young as six months can be taught sign language and communicate using it before they can even talk,” says Amanda Drake-Worth, from Crownhill, who is planning to launch ‘Happy Signers’, a new business that will teach (BSL) British Sign Language to babies to aid communication.
Having worked for the Royal Mail for over a decade, before running her own driving school, Amanda’s own health conditions forced her to give up the business and look for an alternative job. “When I was younger I was involved in an horrific motorcycle accident where I nearly lost my leg. My life revolves around my mobility and I needed a job where I could sit down.”
“I was referred to Outset Plymouth and attended a number of free workshops that have been phenomenal for my business and given me clarity of purpose. I have gained more confidence, and would not be where I am now with out the support and guidance from Outset Plymouth.”
Amanda is passionate about improving the way parents and their babies communicate with one another. “It’s been proven that by using sign language at two-year-old children, some kids will know on average 50 words more than a non-signing child, and it results in far less frustration. My daughter, now aged 18, was born with a harelip and cleft palate, and has undergone 18 operations. I was told she would have trouble talking. I wish baby signing had been available then.
The key to learning signing is to be able to help my daughter by donating money to Cleft Lip and Palate Association and also Plymouth Deaf Children’s Society as some of the children born with a hairlip and cleft palate have a disease called Osmed which is a hearing impediment.
Amanda has been learning British Sign Language for two years and has a Luton based mentor Katja O’Neill who has been a tremendous support. ‘Amanda is hoping I will teach using puppets, props and nursery rhymes in a five week roll on roll off course during day times and with evening parent workshops.’
“Outset Plymouth has helped me put my business plans into reality, and been a constant source of support and help going forward. My long-term aim is to work in schools with children who don’t speak English as a first language and special needs children.”
Outset Plymouth has been funded by the ERDF Competitiveness and Employment programme, which invests in activities that will have a long term-term impact on the growth and develop of the local economy
For more information on Amanda Drake-Worth please contact Outset Plymouth on Tel 0800 0285699
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