Position: Retiring chief executive of the Makaton communication programme
- Why did you decide to retire and how do you plan to spend your free time?
I've reached 70. But I'm still doing work for the charity, overseeing Makaton in other countries and remaining a trustee on the board. I am also launching the Margaret Walker Fund for people with groundbreaking ideas this month and plan to spend more time with my family, gardening, going to the theatre and walking.
- Has the programme surpassed your expectations?
I had no idea that it would be so successful. The programme is now used in 40 countries with 750 tutors in the UK and overseas and features in the CBBC programme 'Something Special'.
- How has the charity grown?
There was great interest in Makaton in 1968 but I didn't want it to be a commercial business, so set it up as a charity. Last summer we moved into formal offices to accommodate the growing number of staff, and have recently employed a family advisor.
