NatWest Bring it 2020 has provided £50 of match funding
Deaf Events
Brighton, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Help us to create unforgettable memories for the Deaf community! Weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and every other exciting occasion!
What is Deaf Events?
Deaf Events is a Wedding and Event Planning Service for people that communicate using British Sign Language!
British Sign Language
If deaf people choose to communicate through sign language rather than through speech, they are choosing a lifestyle with more financial strain...
People that use BSL as their primary communication have a legal right to request an interpreter in any healthcare setting at no cost.
Some public services, and businesses can get partial government funding to help cover the cost of an interpreter for specific situations outside of healthcare, however, private events is not one of them.
People who need communication support for major life events such as a wedding, need to pay for it themselves. The cost for hiring an interpreter is very expensive and not an option for many.
The Deaf rely on family and friends to communicate for them instead, which creates a disconnection from their own event.
Imagine relinquishing the control and planning of your wedding day, to someone else that can "communicate better". Deaf couples and/or individuals can often feel disconnected from their own event during a time when they should be most excited.
One may think that emailing, texting, and writing letters could be an alternative way of communicating directly; however British Sign Language is different to spoken English. It uses different grammar and sentence structures, which makes it a near-impossible task to give or understand details.
The positive impact of Deaf Events
Deaf Events will have direct communication with Deaf clients without an interpreter. We will be creating fantastic events full of unforgettable memories for all of those important occasions that we celebrate in life.
We will give Deaf people to the opportunity to be able to express their ideas and be understood for every detail that they are describing. Conversations can lose context and detail when translated; ideas can become distorted... we want to bring those creative visions to life!
Deaf Events will tailor every aspect of the big day around the uniqueness of the couple and no detail will be lost along the way.
To successfully plan a major life event like a wedding also requires connections to a variety of suppliers; Deaf Events will be that connection and that ease of communication.
Gina Lim - My Story
"I am striving to become a well-known Wedding and Event planner for the Deaf!"
I have worked amongst the wedding industry for 9 years, specialising in bridal hair. My dream of becoming a wedding planner started in 2016, when I studied Business & Management at university. I also studied British Sign Language as an elective at university and received a first-class honours in 2019. I fell in love with the language and it's culture; and was disheartened to learn that government funding for BSL interpreters is very minimal in the UK.
Money
- Your pledges will enable this project to become a reality!
- The money will be used towards two higher level 'Signature' Sign language exams; these certifications will gain the community's confidence in my ability to communicate fluently. (£1,290 x 2)
- Once I have completed these, the money will be put towards marketing the business (i.e. advertising) to reach a wider audience in the Deaf community. This will make it much easier for the Deaf to find Deaf Events and it's services.
- The money will also help me to dedicate more time towards Deaf Events, as my current salary doesn't allow me to take time off. I will be able to call suppliers during the day-time and gather information and data much quicker.
- The money will also be used towards building a bigger portfolio.
The money raised will help me to really kick-start this business and will be a positive encouragement to continue a business that others also believe in!
This project successfully funded on 30th April 2020