What we’re about
Welcome to Berkeley Square Speakers!
Do you want to overcome your public speaking anxiety and learn the skills to become a world-class presenter? Do you want to meet new people focused on self-development? Do you want to hear fantastic story-telling every week draw from the full range of human experience? And do you want to do all of this in a warm environment that will leave you feeling energised for the rest of the day? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then Berkeley Square Speakers is for you!
We are a public speaking club that helps people develop life enhancing presentation, communication and leadership skills. For more than 25 years we have helped hundreds of members develop themselves, both personally and professionally. We have a diverse membership base encompassing people from all types of backgrounds, nationalities, ages, ethnicities and gender. This adds richness to our weekly meetings which will leave you feeling motivated and inspired.
What's in it for you?
An estimated 75% of people experience some degree of anxiety when it comes to public speaking. The only way to conquer that fear is through practice. Whether you need to present for work, lead a team, prepare for a big wedding or birthday speech or just want to communicate better in one-on-one situations, Berkeley Square Speakers can help. Our club will help you develop the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. You can learn, practice and grow your public speaking ability in a safe and supportive environment under the expert guidance of our experienced members.
How does it work?
Don’t worry! Everyone was once at the level you are now. It takes courage to attend your first meeting but after you do you will find a welcoming community. So take that first step!
Our meetings follow a similar format each week which is divided into three sections.
Section 1: Impromptu speaking - In this section we call upon members (and sometimes guests) to give a short impromptu speech on a topic chosen by the Table Topics master. This allows us to practice our unplanned speaking skills so that we are ready if called upon at work on in a social situation to speak off the cuff.
Section 2: Prepared speeches - Every week up to three members deliver a 5-7 minute prepared speech. Toastmasters has a wide array of resources which members get access to including speech manuals built around different objectives. Members choose which objectives most align with their goals and then deliver speeches accordingly. These speeches can on any topic under the sun!
Section 3: Evaluations - Evaluations and constructive feedback are essential to progression because they provide actionable advice on how to improve. Everything we do at Toastmasters is evaluated, this section is the opportunity to do so.
Where we meet
We meet every Wednesday morning between 7:15am and 8:45am. Please note that members and guests must arrive promptly at 7.15am and stay for the duration of the meeting. This shows respect for the participants and avoids disruption. Don’t feel nervous about attending your first meeting – we were all there once!
We alternate between face-to-face and online meetings at the moment.
For our face-to-face meetings, we meet in the following beautiful venue a short walk from both Green Park and Bond Street underground stations, 5 minutes from Berkeley Square (hence our name!): The Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, W1K 2PA.
Come along and join us!
