CIC hosted a two day training session in British Sign Language, Makaton and Deaf Awareness thanks to a £4000 donation from the club, who also provided their Riverside stadium as our training venue. The sessions were attended by over 50 of our care staff who provide Independent Living and Senior Care support.

The training, which was provided by specialist disability trainers ‘Hear First’, was designed to equip CIC’s care staff with basic British Sign Language and Makaton communications skills related to their day-to-day work and enhance their understanding of how to communicate effectively with individuals with hearing loss.

The footballers partnered CIC staff as they learned how to sign and experienced what it is like to rely on lip-reading. Australian international Rhys Williams said, “I really enjoyed taking part in today’s class. I was surprised by how hard it was for people to lip-read what I was saying. It really made me appreciate what it would be like to experience hearing loss.”

Defender Seb Hines said, “I found learning signs to be quite challenging at the first but the other people taking part in the course helped me with them. I really enjoyed meeting people who do such good work.”
CIC Chief Executive Phil Edgington said “CIC are dedicated to investing in training that will develop the skills of our staff and the support they provide. The kind donation of £4,000 from Middlesbrough FC to support our efforts will have genuine, life changing benefits for hundreds of people in the North East and will equip our carers with communications skills that will last them for a lifetime.”