VI Challenge winners!

Team TTPL are extremely pleased to be 2016 WESC Foundation VI Challenge winners.

The event, organised by Listen2Win and held at the WESC Foundation in Exeter on Wednesday 13^th July, was a chance for teams to enter challenges without the aid of sight. These included a blindfolded penalty shootout, 50 metre sprint and traverse climbing wall.

The series of challenges were ran by three England international blind team players. Without the aid of sight, the simplest thing can become extremely challenging and watching professionals set the precedent for the challenges was astounding.

Six teams competed in the games and Team TTPL was made up of five staff members and two fantastic students. Cosmin, currently on a work placement with TTPL in Exeter was a fantastic addition to the team and set an unbelievable sightless 50 metre sprint time of under 7 seconds! Enrico, also on a work placement in Exeter also made a fantastic contribution, competing in a ‘Chinese whispers’ challenge. The game hinged on good verbal communication – to have somebody using their second language for this is a real credit to Enrico.

As for the TTPL staff members, a mixture of competitiveness and never-say-die attitude resulted in the team lifting the trophy. The evening highlighted how much can be achieved with communication and also showed the incredible level that visually impaired athletes can reach.

The event was raising money for the WESC Foundation - a specialist centre for visual impairment. For more information visit: https://www.wescfoundation.ac.uk/

A universal language

With UEFA Euro 2016 coming to an end, TTPL’s Dan talks about the role football plays in uniting people.

It’s been a tough few weeks being English and a football fan. With Brexit talk and football violence dominating the news, it’s been easy to feel negative. Although I feel the EU exit is a disappointing result and violent scenes in France were horrible, I can say that what I’ve experienced on a first-hand basis has only filled me with positivity.

It’s a real pleasure frequently meeting new people from across Europe – it’s the biggest perk to my job and I feel lucky to have the opportunity. It’s inspiring meeting such motivated people, coming to another country to further improve language skills and enhance career prospects. With the level of English being so good, it’s easy to communicate, but I do speak one other language – football!

Football is a universal language and so often the icebreaker. Recent violence has again unfortunately damaged the reputation of the sport, but it shouldn’t hide the fact it unites and brings more people together than any other activity I can think of.

It was tough walking in to our student social the day after England exited UEFA Euro 2016 to minnows Iceland. I could see the faces of certain people just waiting to ask what I made of the game. Losing to a country with a population about the size of Torbay and Exeter wasn’t the happiest moment in my time as an England fan!

This week, our Exeter student social moved to Allstars Sport Bar so we could all support Daniel, Ricardo and Luis, our Portuguese contingent, as their team faced Britain’s last nation – Wales. With an even split of fans from both nations it was a fantastic atmosphere and our Portuguese boys songs and celebrations were fantastic. I may have joined in – sorry Wales!

With Portugal winning 2 - 0, there were some serious celebrations and no doubt our Portuguese and French students will be creating another big atmosphere for the final on Sunday. Although the real excitement will come when we have our alternate European Championship at our next weekly meeting!

Five reasons why we love Exeter

Max working at Radio 1's Big Weekend

1. Fantastic employment opportunities

Exeter has and continues to be a fantastic place for professional employment. We’ve heard some amazing stories from our students based in Exeter. From managing marketing projects to representing businesses at events and ceremonies, Exeter provides amazing opportunities.

Just look at our student Max – attending BBC workshops and working at Radio 1’s Big Weekend!

2. All the perks of a city with a small town feel

Students at Artigiano

Exeter has everything you’d expect a city to offer but retains a community feel. There can’t be many cities that have somewhere like the quiet and cosy Gandy Street – supposedly inspiration for Harry Potter’s ‘Diagon Alley’, tucked away in the city centre.

3. Shopping, eating & drinking

From boutique shops to the big names in Princesshay, there’s just about everything to satisfy even the biggest shopaholic. There’s also a host of amazing options for eating out – we love our weekly student meeting at Artigiano Espresso & Wine Bar in the High Street.

4. Coast and countryside is just around the corner

From the hills of Dartmoor National Park, to the beautiful coastline around Dawlish Warren and Exmouth, Exeter is nestled in the perfect location.

Dartmoor National Park

5. Exeter continues to grow

There’s lots to look forward to with the development of the city. The science park continues to grow, more employment opportunities are on the horizon with big names like Ikea coming to the area and the success of Princesshay continues. A £75 million development has been announced this year, which involves transforming part of Exeter’s bus and coach station site into a new retail and leisure destination incorporating a new cinema, restaurants, cafes, shops, as well as a new public square.

We’re currently looking for more host families in Exeter - contact andrea@ttpl-uk.com or call 01803 321210 for more information