Student Alice Glennon has been recognised with a prestigious national award for her outstanding work promoting Makaton signing in the mainstream media, including on television鈥檚 鈥楽trictly Come Dancing鈥�.
Alice, aged 19, from Cheshire, has been named a winner in the Advocacy, Policy and Media category of the The awards, hosted by Dimensions UK, celebrate individuals with learning disabilities and autism who are breaking down barriers and making a positive impact in their communities. This year鈥檚 competition saw over 100 inspiring entries from across the country.
She was presented with her award by star disability rights advocate The pair bonded over their shared love of ‘Strictly’ and ‘Wicked. According to judges, Alice stood out for her passionate and consistent advocacy of 鈥� a communication programme that combines signs, symbols and speech to support people with learning difficulties and communication needs. Her campaigning, particularly around encouraging the use of inclusive signing on BBC鈥檚 鈥楽trictly Come Dancing鈥�, has had national reach and real impact.
Since 2018, Alice has used social media to encourage 鈥楽trictly鈥� celebrities and professional dancers to include Makaton signs in their routines. Thanks to her efforts, viewers now regularly see stars signing 鈥榯hank you鈥� and other key words live on air. Alice has even met several of the show鈥檚 stars, teaching them signs such as 鈥楪litter Ball鈥� and 鈥楰eep Dancing鈥�.
Her work not only makes television more inclusive but also raises awareness of how Makaton can empower people to be seen and heard.
Alice, who has Down Syndrome, Autism and associated learning and communication difficulties, is a residential student at mv天美mv天美. She is a student on the Learning for Life pathway, progressing towards a vocational Hospitality & Food pathway.
Alice shares her love of Strictly and Makaton
While at College, Alice encouraged her peers to embrace her love of Strictly and Makaton. Each week when 鈥楽trictly鈥� was on, Alice gave out accessible score sheets to fellow students and staff so they could share the show鈥檚 progress too.
She also hosts her own inclusive YouTube channel, Cook Along With Alice, where she shares her love of baking with clear, easy-to-follow Makaton instructions.
‘An amazing advocate of Makaton’
Julie Hawkins, Speech and Language Lead and Senior Makaton Tutor at mv天美mv天美, said:
鈥淎lice is an amazing advocate for Makaton. Her knowledge and understanding of Makaton signs and symbols is outstanding.听 She is always teaching students and staff new signs!鈥�
mv天美mv天美 Principal and CEO Meryl Green said:
鈥淎lice is a real advocate for inclusive communication. Her enthusiasm for Makaton 鈥� and for Strictly 鈥� is infectious. We are so proud of everything she has achieved.鈥�
Derwen is Makaton Friendly
Alice鈥檚 mum, Amanda Glennon 鈥� a Makaton Ambassador and Regional Tutor 鈥� is equally proud and grateful for the support Alice has received at mv天美mv天美.
鈥淲e were blown away by mv天美mv天美 鈥� it鈥檚 the only college we found that鈥檚 truly Makaton Friendly,鈥� Amanda said. 鈥淭he loveliest thing is how embedded Makaton is in daily life, from labelled kitchen cupboards to Sign of the Week boards. Alice felt safe and understood from the moment she arrived.鈥�
Alice received her award at a celebration ceremony at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield on 13 June.
On receiving her award, Alice said: 鈥淚 was so excited to attend the awards and delighted to be a winner. I love Strictly and I love Makaton. It鈥檚 important everyone can understand and be included. I feel proud that more people are learning Makaton and using it on TV, and can鈥檛 wait to show my friends the award! All the winners were inspiring and it was lovely to hear their stories.鈥�
Find out more about how the team at mv天美mv天美 supports young adults with SEND to reach their aspirations at