At our recent celebration event, we were delighted to welcome Sing and Sign Jukebox for a live singing and Makaton signing demonstration. Their performance was a real highlight of the day, bringing energy, joy and a powerful message about inclusion to everyone in attendance.
The response from delegates was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the choir’s talent, enthusiasm and the impact of seeing music and Makaton come together. Inspired by the fantastic feedback, we took the opportunity to speak with the choir to learn more about their journey, the difference they are making, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can find their voice.
Can you tell us a little about Sing and Sign Jukebox and how the choir first began?
Sing and Sign Jukebox Makaton Choir started in 2022, founded by Documental Productions (www.documentaltheatre.co.uk) which I run with Naomi Turner. At first there were eight members including two young people with learning disabilities, four carers and two SEN teaching assistants. Our first show was at Exeter Library. Now we have thirty members, over half of whom have learning and other disabilities, and we gig all over Devon. Learning disability families experience a lot of “churn” in terms of the professionals they work with. The choir provides continuity and a community of friends. Services can also be quite disempowering, but in the choir we have a grass roots leadership model where everyone chooses our songs and gigs. (Lucy Bell – choir founder and facilitator)
We are an inclusive community of people with learning disabilities and carers. We sing and use Makaton signs which makes us unique. Our membership is varied as everyone is welcome. If you want to express yourself through singing or signing you have a place with us, and there is even the opportunity to write new songs for our setlist too. We have members of the choir who are blind or partially sighted who use their voices and we have a Deaf member whose Mum translates in Signed English so she can join in. We include anyone who wants to come along and do our best to remove the barriers they may have to performing with us.
(Jane Ring – Choir volunteer)
What inspired you to create an inclusive singing and signing choir?
My daughter has learning disabilities and is non-verbal. Few places are accessible to her. I wanted to raise awareness of the Makaton signing system which is her primary way of communicating with the world. I also wanted felt that carers and SEND Teaching Assistants should be encouraged to sing out, centre stage, as their skills are so undervalued. It is genuinely a beautiful experience to be in the room together. People choose songs which have a special meaning to them and we all relate to the sentiments.
For people who may not know, what is Makaton and how does it support communication and inclusion?
Makaton is a communication system involving signing and symbols and it was developed from BSL. It is different in that the signs and concepts are straight forward enough for people with cognitive disabilities to use. It has been a lifeline for my daughter and I think all carers and healthcare professionals – and ideally all members of the general public – should know the basics so that they can meet people part way.
For people who may not know, what is Makaton and how does it support communication and inclusion?
Makaton is a communication system involving signing and symbols and it was developed from BSL. It is different in that the signs and concepts are straight forward enough for people with cognitive disabilities to use. It has been a lifeline for my daughter and I think all carers and healthcare professionals – and ideally all members of the general public – should know the basics so that they can meet people part way.
What makes Sing and Sign Jukebox different from a traditional choir?
Our choir members love to perform. We attract people with open minds, loving hearts who have experience of disability- either through lived experience themselves or through a caring role. Everyone in our choir is valued equally for what they bring.
People who come find their place and grow in confidence. They take on solos, lead the signing, learn to set up the tech and find their voice. They feel heard and valued. It is a joyful and accepting community. (Jane Ring)
Music and signing can be incredibly powerful together – what impact have you seen on choir members?
Members have progressed to do Makaton Tutor Training, take on leadership roles and little things like attaching to new people so that they are not solely reliant on their mums. Sibling carers have solidified their sense of self through having a community that gets them. I personally have found acceptance, friendship and a sense of purpose as a volunteer. I love learning the Makaton signs, I love singing and really enjoy my chats with other carers like me. People who understand what I am managing in my life and offer advice and comfort. I love it when we surprise our audience with the quality of our performances. Our choir leaders are so supportive of all the choir members and are very talented musicians. They bring the best out of all of us.
(Jane Ring)
At the ARC South West launch event, attendees joined in with songs including True Colours and Take Me Home, Country Roads. What was it like bringing the choir to that event?
It felt important to be at an event about service users voice and research informing good practice. A major problem for the learning disability community is a persistent lack of integration in all kinds of public spaces – especially for folk who are non-verbal – so we definitely wanted to be there and be visible. Levi performed a solo of Country Roads by John Denver and she said,
“It felt really good performing at the conference and it made me feel really happy”
She had never sung before an audience before, and suddenly she was performing for a room of over a 100 people. (Lucy Bell)
Photo by Theo Moye 13/02/25
Photo by Theo Moye 13/02/25
Could one of your choir members share what being part of Sing and Sign Jukebox means to them personally?
“Being part of Sing and Sign Jukebox means we get to write our own songs and do our own performances” – Susie Walker (choir member)
“The choir is so good for my mental health. I am learning, connecting with other choir members, I give my time through volunteering which helps with my sense of purpose, and I perform with the best group of people. It is joyful and uplifting” Jane Ring (Choir Volunteer)
What are your hopes and ambitions for the future of Sing and Sign Jukebox?
Susie Walker, a choir member who has written one of the songs in our set, says this:
“I would like to do more performing at different places and I would like to go out and about more and sing more new songs, and help other people to learn new signs.”
Jane Ring, a choir volunteer said the following:
“I would really like to improve my singing (have lessons) and see the choir recognised for its talents and the wonderful community Documental Productions have created. An access worker and administrator would be great assets in the future if we continue to grow to ensure everyone’s needs continue to be met. It would be great to attract funding for those roles.”
What achievements or milestones are you most proud of as a choir?
“I am proud of the song that created with my brother, and I am proud of performing at Devon County Show” – Susie Walker
We are proud that we have performed at top events like Exeter Respect, on the BBC Radio Devon stage, at Exeter Northcott at their regular Musical Theatre night, and to 600 people at Exeter Cathedral. We don’t feel learning disabled performers should only show their talent at “disability events”. We need to move towards a truly intersectional society (Lucy Bell)
How can people support the choir or get involved?
The choir needs more resource to grow and be held properly. Please get in touch info@documentaltheatre.co.uk if you would like to learn some Makaton and come and experience the choir for yourself, or if you feel able to support our community. We are able to do performances and events where we teach Makaton and other insights. We are keen to continue to collaborate with academics, health and social care professionals as we feel our community embodies what good integration looks like. Care faces lots of challenges at the moment and our members have really valuable opinions on what good care and independence looks like.
Huge thank you to our Contributors and Collaborators on this piece:
Jane Ring, Lucy Bell, Susie Walker
Susie Walker