Darren Harris – Why Resilience is a Social Skill

“Depression doesn’t discriminate”

Echoing similar sentiments made earlier in the day regarding the image of mental health, Darren’s talk also consisted of the re-enforcement of the idea that resilience has a social aspect. Answering the question, Are you okay? we all tend to answer the same way, Yeah, fine. In reality, sometimes the answer is no. It takes strength to ask for help, and it’s hard to admit.

“…help is better when it’s reciprocal rather than hierarchical.”

In a visual representation, where an elastic band was pulled apart, Darren concluded that everybody has their breaking point and that it takes a lot to seek help.

“How will you respond when somebody asks: Are you okay?”

 

Ellen de Visser – Overcoming Your Fear of Speaking Foreign Languages

Ellen’s talk was on the topic of learning languages, and most people’s fear of it. Ellen used the analogy of playing ping-pong, most people will have a go, talented or not and it’s this mindset that we need to utilise when learning to speak new languages.

Our fear of getting it wrong or being embarrassed is often an unnecessary one.

“We create our own barriers.”

Through her own personal stories of language interaction, she highlights the positive, communal aspect of language, and how native speakers will appreciate the effort.

If we open ourselves up to new languages, we open ourselves up to new possibilities.

 

Robert Francis – Uncovering the Overlooked: Black Country Place – Identity

Rob’s talk opened up with a description of place identity, what makes us connected to where we live?
Using an image of chain coral, Rob spoke of the rich industrious history of the Black Country, as well as it’s natural beauty.

“It’s not quite North, it’s not quite South, it’s not quite rural, and it’s not quite urban…unmappable, strange weird…”

The Black Country and it’s borders have long been disputed. Rob’s aim is to claim the grey-green space we occupy within it, appreciate its weirdness and enjoy it. Be like the chain coral.

“A great way to start a row ’round here – ask where the Black Country is.”

 

Charlotte Watkivs – How I Live a Zero Waste Life (Almost) Every Day

Refuse, reuse, recycle and rot. This is part of the advice and philosophy that Charlotte spoke about regarding her journey to a zero waste life.

Speaking from her own experiences, trials and errors, Charlotte gave us a small insight into how we can all make changes.

“What I do is a tiny drop in the ocean, and that ocean is filling with plastic.”

Big to small, she encouraged any and all change.

“Combine your changes with my changes and together, we’ll create a zero waste world.”

The parting lesson from Charlotte’s talk was that being more conscientious matters and collectively it can make a difference.

 

The final performance of the event was from Dave Pitt, a local comedian.

Performing three poetry pieces, Dave used the theme of the event, Building Bridges, to talk about topics such as the Internet, the Black Country accent, and Love.

 

Clare Roberts-Molloy – The curator for TEDx Wolverhampton came on stage to offer her thanks for every single person involved in today.

Just to re-iterate it here, from all of us –

Thank you for everything and goodbye for now, from TEDx Wolverhampton.