A church in Southport will be the venue for a new Sign Language course commencing later this month, for Level 1 (novice) learners. Several members who regularly attend Shoreline Church on Mornington Road, have arranged for external training provider SignPost Communications to deliver a course there on Monday evenings, but they are offering spare places to members of the public too.

SignPost Communications deliver British Sign Language (BSL) courses throughout the Sefton, North Liverpool and West Lancashire region, working in partnership with several local colleges, universities and public sector employers, including the NHS, local DSS offices, staff at HMRC, special needs teachers and teaching assistants in Sefton schools, and police and fire services.

“Although we primarily provide courses for in-house training and staff development, the recent government spending cuts have caused many local colleges to reduce their evening classes, so we have been receiving an increasing number of enquiries from members of the public, and groups such as Shoreline Church. We are delighted to work in partnership with them, to offer something of real value to the community” said a spokesperson.

The course leads to the Signature (CACDP) Level 1 Award in British Sign Language (if students successfully complete all three assessments), and will be delivered on Monday nights for two hours per week, from 19 September until 21 May next year. Places are limited, and students must enrol in advance. The course costs £154 plus £71 for assessment (if required). Students have the option to spread these costs over six equal monthly instalments if they wish.

For further information, visit SignPost Communications http://signpostcommunications.co.uk or contact Gary Foulds (organiser at Shoreline Church) on 07540 777188