Comedian and Britain’s Got Talent winner Lee Ridley, aka Lost Voice Guy, spoke to a Tynemouth crowd about how technology helped him find his voice and go from a council office to winning Britain’s Got Talent.
He told the crowd: “People often describe technology as a useful tool, but for me it’s much more than that. It’s literally my voice. Without it, I can’t have a conversation, order food, phone a taxi or perform my job.
"My biggest fear on stage isn’t a heckler. It’s seeing the battery warning pop up halfway through the show.”
Lee headlined The Opportunity Hub pop-up at Woods Coffee, recently, on Front Street in Tynemouth.
The event celebrated local network upgrades from Vodafone that have made download speeds up to twelve times faster in parts of Tynemouth - giving local communities the connectivity they need to pursue new ideas and opportunities.
The event transformed the café into a practical hub where local residents could access the practical tools and advice to take the next step - whether developing an idea for a side hustle, pursuing a small business they’ve always talked about or turning a hobby they’d love to turn into something more, The Opportunity Hub was set up to help take the next step to turn inspiration into reality.
During an afternoon fireside chat, Lee Ridley reflected on how technology has powered his journey from a council media team to winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2018.
Lee, who has cerebral palsy and speaks using a text-to-speech app on his iPad, became the first stand-up comedian to perform using a communication aid. He shared his advice on overcoming barriers, challenging expectations and using technology to turn ambitions into reality.
Drawing on his own experiences, Lee shared practical advice on writing jokes on the go, building an audience online and staying connected with fans, promoters and collaborators wherever he is, before taking questions from the audience in a live Q&A.
Lee said, “When I started doing stand-up, nobody using a communication aid had done it before. At first I thought that was a disadvantage.
"Then I realised it was actually my biggest advantage, because nobody else was doing what I was doing. If I’d waited for someone to tell me it was possible, I’d still be waiting. Sometimes you have to become the blueprint.”
In the morning, Enterprise Nation hosted ‘Understanding digital marketing’, a practical workshop exploring how local people can use digital marketing to turn a skill, hobby or idea into the foundations of a side hustle or small business – for people already running a small business, just getting started, or considering turning a hobby into something more tangible.
The session covered how to choose the right digital channels, create simple content that shows what makes a business distinctive, and use tools such as WhatsApp Business and email to build stronger relationships with customers.
It also looked at how reliable connectivity makes it easier to discover new businesses, share ideas, and stay in touch with customers and local community groups.
The key theme was to turn inspiration into something tangible, helping Tynemouth locals move from ‘I have an idea’ to taking a practical first step.
Guests could also have a free professional headshot taken for LinkedIn and social media.
VodafoneThree is expanding coverage across the country. This includes upgrading the mobile network in Tynemouth - such as areas around Broadway, Beach Road, Tynemouth Road, Mariners Lane and Tynemouth Market – to deliver 5G for the first time in places and more reliable coverage.
These improvements in Tynemouth will see customers benefit from faster download speeds and a more reliable network experience overall.
To find out more information visit: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/network/the-nations-network
