Talking Mats

Talking Mats Play Resource Launch Bringing Talking Mats into Mainstream, our new Resource is aimed at anyone working in Early Years.

New Resource Launch! Play
Developed with the Playful Researchers from the University of Dundee this new Resource is aimed at anyone working in Early Years Education. Find out what children think about different aspects of their play. Online event 30/04/2026, 3.15pm - 4.15pm

Opportunity to join the Delphi Study on Updating the Effectiveness Framework of Functional Communication. - Improving Communication, Improving Lives Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. How Talking Mats can improve communication and lives.

Do you want to help shape the tools and frameworks that supports Talking Mats and improve communication . If so please consider joining this Delphi study & please share with others to encourage them to contribute - thankyou www.talkingmats.com/opportunity-...

Thanks to those who took part in our Delphi survey on training needs of carers who support people with intellectual disabilites with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulites. Round 2 is now open , see opportunity to take part:

What better way to help children and young people belong than to really listen to them ?
From early years to young adulthood our training and Resources offer a supportive way to for young people to communicate about important things in their lives.

Find out more on our website
www.talkingmats.com

The Effectiveness Framework of Functional Communication (EFFC) is being updated and we need your help. This work will ensure the EFFC is widely available and effective for use in various settings where individuals benefit from TM.

www.talkingmats.com/opportunity-...

Meet Dr Margret Buchholz, long-time champion of Talking Mats and January's Research Spotlight!

Read more about her research projects in the Publications Section of our website
www.talkingmats.com/research/pub...

Cards relating to strategies to reduce energy

Two people doing a Talking Mat

Two men doing a Talking Mat

A Talking Mat related to understanding a contract

Really enjoyed our training & resource development work with #citizenadvicebureau Southend - focusing on a resource re energy management . Utilities are tough to get your head around , a combination of #easyread & talking mats will support comprehension & decision making #utilities #renewables

Talking Mats training is essential for our Resources to be used effectively and with maximum impact. Instead of a January sale we have reduced the cost of all our post training Resources - permanently!

Next Face to face training: Glasgow 10th February
www.talkingmats.com/shop/

Faith on the Margins Conference Recordings

We are pleased to share that the recordings from our conference in November are now available on YouTube! We had three days of fascinating and enriching presentations and conversations.

Watch here: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Appreciate our partnership with @uofglasgowsldo.bsky.social & the ability to extend @talkingmats.bsky.social into #cancerscreening . Looking forward to finding out how the resource we jointly developed has been used by screening practitioners in Glasgow #learningdisabilties #healthinequalities

Supported decision-making: A Human Rights Approach. - Improving Communication, Improving Lives Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. How Talking Mats can improve communication and lives.

Talking Mats creates ethical, rights based practice by reducing power imbalances, challenging assumptions about ability & ensuring decisions reflect the persons views #oureverydayrights #humanrightsday #humanrights2025 #supporteddecisionmaking
www.talkingmats.com/supported-de...

Switching off light and turning down radiator

Tumble dryer with cross and man hanging washing on clothes horse

Man on phone with 2 bills in thought bubble Arrow indicating movement of switching supplier

House with various renewables around it - solar , battery , heat hub , smart meter

Loving the new symbols from our new energy project #fuelpoverty #renewables #easyread

Over the next few months we will be introducing you to some of our brilliant researchers, practitioners and clinical academics who make up our Research Network.

Starting with Dr Jill Bradshaw.

If you would like to know more about the Research Network read here
www.talkingmats.com/research/res...

Still proud of the Keeping Safe @talkingmats.bsky.social we developed. Thanks to Scottish goverment monies it was tested with over 700 people. Years later I remember the stories. Providing a space for people to reflect , talk and then really listen to them is key to good #safeguarding practice

We are supporting #SafeguardingAdultsWeek

To change the conversation you need the tools.

Our friends @uofglasgowsldo.bsky.social have produced this excellent animation on research in cancer, mental health and #learningsisabilities Its up for an award by public vote . Do your thing , watch the video and give them a vote !

Talking Mats - An Autistic Perspective - Improving Communication, Improving Lives Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. How Talking Mats can improve communication and lives.

Talking Mats training is more than just learning a new skill, it can unlock a better understanding of our own communication. Read Gerard Wainwright's personal blog about Talking Mats and autism.
www.talkingmats.com/talking-mats...

Are you supporting people to think about how changes in their health affects their plans for the future?
Advanced Course; Thinking Ahead, supporting advance care planning, can help.
Practical advice and discussions lead by Dr Sally Boa, Strathcarron Hospice.

www.talkingmats.com/training/adv...

It's just 🚨3 DAYS 🚨 until MethodsLab: Listening to the non-speaking experience
With workshops from @talkingmats.bsky.social & Digital Stories & talks from @heasutherland.com, Verity Ward, Jill Bradshaw & Freddie Jones.
🗓️ Friday 7 Nov ⏰ 11-4:30pm 📍 AMBS
Book now 🏃 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1683441712...

📢 Speaker announcement - Dr Jill Bradshaw
Jill's session is titled "Talking Mats in research and practice"
Consultant Speech & Language Therapist; RCSLT National Clinical Adviser for Learning Disabilities; Jill founded the @talkingmats.bsky.social Research Network
Book your free space now 👇👇

👏👏👏

The Changing Places toilet at the St Enoch Shopping Centre is now back open.

#ChangingPlacesToilets #ChangingPlacesToilet #ChangingPlaces

Looking forward to presenting our new spirituality Talking Mats Resource on the 6th Nov @autismtheology.bsky.social conference . Book your space now #interfaith #autism

Great article advocating for more visual and accessible communication - just like a talking mats . These examples of use in #mental health are inspiring www.talkingmats.com/top-mental-h...

Great article advocating for more visual and accessible communication - just like a talking mats . These examples of use in #mental health are inspiring www.talkingmats.com/top-mental-h...

Did you know Talking Mats has been trialled with a visually impaired Thinker?

Just one of the blogs highlighted for AAC Awareness Month.

Enjoy!
#AACAwarenessMonth
#CommunicationDifficulties

Celebrating DLD Awareness Day! #DLDday
We were proud to be involved in this project.

If you think Talking Mats could be useful in Research you are carrying out, please get in touch.

info@talkingmats.com

Congratulations to our new Licenced Trainers!

These talented individuals are now licenced to train others within their teams in Talking Mats.

We look forward to hearing how you all get on.

For more information on becoming a Talking Mats Licenced Trainer please contact licenced@talkingmats.com

Top Mental Health Blogs - Improving Communication, Improving Lives Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. How Talking Mats can improve communication and lives.

#WorldMentalHealthAwarenessDay2025

Find some inspiration in our top 10 Mental Health blogs.

www.talkingmats.com/top-mental-h...

Are you using or planning to use Talking Mats in research? Then you'll want to read this month's Research Spotlight.
#CommunicationResearch