The moment when eight-year-old Tallulah surprised her local deaf delivery driver by greeting him in sign language has gone viral online.
Tallulah and Tim’s friendship is one of the most heartwarming things to come out of lockdown and in a video shared to social media by her proud mother, we are lucky enough to see this unlikely bond being formed.
Proud mother Amy Roberts, from Ashton-under-Lyne, captured the moment her eight-year-old daughter Tallulah stood near the garden gates and greeted Hermes delivery driver Tim Joseph with the words “have a good day” in sign language (BSL).
Mr Joesph, who had been regularly delivering parcels on the street multiple times a week during lockdown, is seen understandably surprised in the video and smiles back at Tallulah before giving her a thumbs up.
In the video posted on Twitter, Amy Roberts said: This is our Hermes delivery man, we see him 1 or 2 times a week [and at the] start of lockdown, Tallulah drew him a [thank you rainbow].”
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“He still has it proudly on show in his van [and] they have built up quite a friendship over these last few weeks”.
The video has generated widespread support online, not just from the local community here in Greater Manchester, but right across the UK.
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It has gone on to amass well over 7.6K retweets, 49K likes, 760K views and hundreds of comments heaping richly deserved praise on Tallulah for her efforts to make her delivery driver’s day and on Mr Joesph for his continued hard work at a time when the world needs it most.
You are a very special and beautiful little girl Tallulah ? he is the best delivery driver we have round here! He’s always so pleased/happy when we sign hello and thank you to him #proudfriends#bekind
Awwww Tallulah! This is beautiful… we are all so very proud of you! ??? My delivery driver is sick of the sight of me… and the pug who escapes every time! ??? x
Yeah he is, always smiling and friendly, they always have their little sign language conversations, so cute. Tallulah’s always asking me…. have you bought anything mum? Is MY friend coming today?? ???
Yes, the parcel man is deaf, Tallulah isn’t but has learned some signing at school. They both look out for each other even if he’s not delivering to her house ??
Hermes UK also replied expressing intent to reach out to Mr Joesph to “get him the praise he deserves”.
Speaking to BBC North West about his new-found friendship, Mr Joesph said: “Tallulah realised I was deaf and then one day she surprised me when she signed to me ‘have a good day”.
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“I think she learnt sign language at school.”
“I was vey happy and I then showed Tallulah how to sign, ”good morning, have a good day” and then she signed it perfectly and it made my day”.
Mr Joesph is said to be “overwhelmed” with all the positive comments he has received.
There’s no denying that lockdown has brought some tough times with it over these past few months, but we can be so grateful that we are able to witness moments of light such as this.
Hats off to you Tallulah and Tim – thank you for making Manchester proud.
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Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ for autistic and neurodiverse customers shopping in its stores across the UK.
Supermarket shopping isn’t always the most pleasant or manageable of experiences for everyone, especially for those who are autistic or neurodivergent – with bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and crowds of people making it a rather overwhelming and overstimulating atmosphere.
This is why Morrisons has decided to collaborate with the National Autistic Society to introduce dedicated ‘Sensory Support Boxes’ at its stores nationwide, as a way to both mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and help autistic and neurodivergent customers have the positive shopping experience they deserve.
These boxes have been carefully-developed in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.
A range of toys like fidget balls, spinners, and squish mats can all be found inside the boxes – which will be eventually be available in all 500 Morrisons supermarkets by May – to help encourage calmness and focus.
All that customers wishing to access the items need to do is simply speak to a colleague at the customer service kiosk of their local Morrisons store.
More than one in 100 people are autistic, and there are 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers / Credit: Morrisons
Speaking on the decision to introduce the Sensory Support Boxes into UK stores, Joseph Clark-Bland, who is the Community Manager at Morrisons, said: “It’s a priority for us to ensure all Morrisons customers feel welcomed and understood.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating a more inclusive shopping environment for autistic people, their families and all neurodivergent people across the UK.
“World Autism Acceptance Month has been a key moment for Morrisons for many years, and we look forward to supporting even more customers via our new Sensory Boxes.”
The introduction of the Sensory Support Boxes comes after Morrisons first trialled a ‘Quieter Hour’ in some of its stores back in 2018, before rolling it out nationwide in 2024 due to its success and positive feedback.
Featured Image – Morrisons
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Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2020 
