Crowds at TERRA's 2nd Planet DeaFantastic EXPO 2016

TERRAs 2nd PlanetDeaFantastic Expo took place on Saturday 30th April and was a wonderful success! It was a busy day and there was a great buzz. From the minute the doors opened there were crowds of people keen to look round all the stalls, speak to the exhibitors, do some networking, watch the presentations and meet the organisers.

Crowds watching a presentation at the Planet DeaFantastic EXPO

The Expo kicked off with a warm welcome from event organiser's TERRA. This was followed by a packed programme of presentations and entertainment. There was an informative presentation from VivasPro who explained that they provide support and advice to anyone who is vulnerable or has experienced abuse. TERRA then gave an inspiring speech, encouraging deaf and disabled people to envision success in business and at work, be prepared to work hard, take risks and overcome barriers as whatever your goal, you can achieve it if you're willing to work.

TERRA Consultancy giving a speech at the Expo

TERRA Consultancy services introduction at the Planet DeaFantastic EXPO

VivasPro explaining their role at the Planet DeaFantastic EXPO

Other presentations of note came from the international Clin-d'Oeil Festival who pointed out that they are the largest festival of Deaf culture in the world. But they also welcome the wider hearing public to raise awareness of linguistic variety. They support cultural diversity and respect for individual expression. Harrow United Deaf Club continued this theme of diversity and respect, giving a presentation in which they encouraged deaf or hearing people and their families to join Harrow Deaf Club and take part in upcoming events such as their International Festival of diverse communities in June and Bingo in May!

TERRAs Expo included workshops and a Judo demonstration from MMARAP. MMARAP have funding to provide martial arts training and mentoring to deaf and disabled people. MMARAP also gave advice about self-defence and a number of deaf women were interested in attending a self-defence class. As well as this, DJs from DeafRave played music and performed signed songs - lots of people were seen tapping their feet and dancing to the beat!

 

Apart from all the presentations, entertainment and workshops, there were queues of people lining up to see the stalls at the Expo. Some of the organisations with a stall included DeafPlus, the National Careers Services, DeafRoots, BSL Zone and DeafHope. All the guests really enjoyed speaking with these organisations to get advice and information about many things such as benefits, employment, housing, debt, accessibility and legal rights. Guests also enjoyed buying lovely cakes, bags and jewellery from Elenora's Cakes, M.AL and Pommerose Jewellery respectively.

 

FEEDBACK FROM Planet DeaFantastic EXPO 2016

 

 

Clin D’Oeil Festival

“We want to say thank you to TERRA for inviting us from France to the PlanetDeaFantastic Expo. We were very pleased to come and share information with the Deaf community… We want to thank TERRA for all their help and for connecting us with this event here in London. We hope that TERRA will come to the Clin D’Oeil Festival in France from 6 – 9 July 2017”

“We were surprised at how many people came to the Expo – it was really great. Lots of deaf people are really motivated to find work or improve their careers. Lots of people registered with us and we hope to be able to help them find a job or move to a better job. Thank you TERRA”

“BSL Zone met lots of people who wanted more information about (deaf) TV programs and how they can be involved…I was able to explain the process to them and hand out lots of information, as well as giving away lots of free pens!”

VivasPro

“The 2^nd Expo was very good. Lots of people came and were interested in what was going on. It was a beautiful day. Lots of stalls and information available. Many people came and registered with VivasPro for information. Thank you”.

DeafRave

“The Deaf Expo was really good. A real variety of people, businesses and companies came. It encourages the Deaf community to be positive and develop. It was beautiful to see and nice to meet new faces… Thanks to everyone involved”

 

“Dear TERRA team,

We LOVED the expo today, thank you so much for doing such a good job organising and running it and for having us at your event! We really enjoyed the wide variety of stalls and presentations and the buzzing atmosphere, we would recommend other organisations to book with you for sure and we hope we can be a part of future events. On behalf of Highgate BSL congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses a massive THANK YOU for your hard work for the deaf community!!”

“The event was really well organised. The location was fantastic and the room with all the stalls was also fantastic”

 

 

 

“It was really useful. Lots of people came to our stall and we gave them information and advice. They were interested in our services and it was a big audience”

 

 

“Thank you TERRA for a fantastic day…It was brilliant... Everyone was really happy”.

 

 

 

“The Deaf Expo was really great. Loads of people came. The stalls were all well organised and it was amazing to see them all. I was really happy. There were lots of interesting presentations, nice people and new faces. The whole day was lovely”.

 

Elenora’s Cakes

“The Expo was great. It had a good atmosphere and everyone was chatting away. I hope to come again in the future. I want to be a role model for black deaf people and the Expo is a way to show them what can be achieved. Thanks very much”

 

 

 

“It was brilliant event and fantastic crowd! Thank you TERRA for making it such an exciting event!”