'Incredible' response to new deaf cafe

ORGANISERS of a pioneering deaf cafe have been inundated with requests for help and invitations to set up similar schemes across the country.

The Bovey Tracey Deaf Cafe was launched in July as a not-for-profit venture by 23-year-old entrepreneur Bradley Oliver and mum Katrina.

Held at the town’s Riverside Centre, it offers a social setting for people with hearing loss and enables others to learn British Sign Language.

The first event attracted huge attention and has resulted in Bradley receiving more than 5,000 emails

‘We are working on a guidance piece to help others get started which we’ll send out as people express interest in deaf cafes across the country,’ said Bradley.

‘We’ve been invited to locations from Bournemouth and Lancaster to Belfast to help set things up and of the more than 5,000 emails we’ve received about 90 per cent are from outside the area.

‘The response has just been incredible.’

The cafe idea came to Bradley and Katrina when running the fortnightly Makers Gift Market at the Bovey Tracey Riverside Community Centre.

They tried to talk with a girl interested in their laser-cut crafts but her parents said she was deaf and only knew sign language.

That was enough for mum and son to pay for their own signing lessons and share the joy their new skill has brought.

‘We have disabilities in our own family and know how important it is that everyone is included,’ said Bradley.

‘When deaf people come to the market and realise we can sign they’re often surprised and the response is really positive.

‘We can go round the stalls and interpret the best we can to let them know the price of objects or help them express their thoughts.’

The next cafes are due to take place on September 4, October 2 and November 6, all from 1pm to 3pm.

Entry and refreshments are free although a £2 donation is suggested.