Clapham Connectors is a warm and friendly club, run by its members to deliver a supportive and transformative experience to anyone who finds public speaking a challenge — whether at work or in their personal life. We’ve created a safe space for you to come along and do as little or as much as you like, depending on your confidence. In combination with Toastmasters Pathways, we aim to support and encourage you in your development — whether your goal is to smash that work presentation, prepare for a big wedding speech, or simply become more confident with impromptu speaking.

Clapham Connectors is part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization with a proven program for improving communication and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Its membership exceeds 280,000 across more than 14,700 clubs in 144 countries, and since 1924 it has helped people of all backgrounds build confidence as speakers and leaders.

What’s in it for you?

Improved communication

Whatever your starting point, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to express yourself clearly and persuasively in any situation.

Build leadership skills

You’ll practise what makes good leaders: running meetings, giving feedback, thinking on your feet and inspiring a team.

Break barriers, not your budget

A hands-on, affordable way to learn, with prepared and impromptu speaking, honest and encouraging feedback, rotating meeting roles, and a mentor for every new member.

How Toastmasters works

At Clapham Connectors Toastmasters, you’ll learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Our club is made up of approximately 15-20 people who meet twice a month for about 2 hours. Each meeting gives you several opportunities:

• Conduct Meetings
  • You’ll learn how to plan and conduct meetings
• Give impromptu speeches
  • You’ll give one-to-two minutes speeches about an impromptu topic
• Present prepared speeches
  • You’ll present speeches from the pathways learning experience – Toastmasters education program. Projects cover topics such as speech organisation, vocal variety, language, gestures and persuasion.
• Offer constructive evaluation
  • Every speaker is assigned an evaluator who points out speech strengths and offers suggestions for improvement.
• Pathways learning experience
  • Pathways is Toastmasters interactive and flexible education program. With 11 paths to choose from you have the option to pick which skills you want to focus on.

For more information, visit http://www.toastmasters.org/about