8/8/2019 Press Release - Jan 2011 'the King's Speech'

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PRESS RELEASE – ‘THE KING’S SPEECH’

Only 5% of the population can talk ‘proper’!

With the release of ‘The Kings Speech’ film imminent; Newport Speakers club wantsto highlight the problems people with speech problems face in their day to day lives.

King George VI suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all of his early life,which became even more problematic when he was proclaimed King on 12December 1936 and was expected to address his country.

Many people who struggle with public speaking can relate to the challenge KingGeorge VI faced.

Today around 459,000 adults in Britain have a stammer and a strict classificationshows only 5% to 10% of the population have a completely normal manner of speaking and healthy voice; all others suffer from one disorder or another.

Newport Speakers Club is offering to help those wishing to develop their publicspeaking, to conquer their nerves, and to get over the fear of facing an audience.The club meets at the Hilton Hotel, Langstone, Chepstow Road, Newport at 7.15pmon the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Newport Speakers club member Jeremy Morgan-Evans was bullied as a child after developing a stutter at the age of eight, but after taking a McGuire speech therapycourse, he found that practising public speaking at Newport Speakers club hashelped him to control his stammer and increase his confidence. He now wants toencourage others not to suffer in silence.

Mr Morgan-Evans said: “I spent 26 years of my life between the ages of 8 and 34living in fear of speaking in public, this was even speaking with friends, and having togive a presentation meant that I would do whatever I could to avoid this. I wouldrather take time off work and miss out on parties to avoid showing myself as aperson who stammers.

Then in January 2008 I found out about a very intensive programme called theMcGuire Programme that offered a way of dealing with stammering. This taught anew way of focusing on speaking and assertively accepting who I am (a person whostammers). I came from this course a new person.

Another thing I did was to join a speakers club. This is a very supportiveenvironment that teaches you how to deliver excellent public speeches. I wouldrecommend Newport Speakers Club to anyone who wants to become good at the artof speaking, push out their comfort zones & meet new friends.”

Retired Gwent police officer, Alan Badmington, is another who has derived benefitfrom membership of the Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC).

He said, “Having stammered for more than 50 years, I accumulated so manynegative memories of speaking in front of groups. After initially completing the samestuttering management programme as Jeremy, I gained greater control over myspeech. But when I returned home, I realised that I was still operating under my old

belief system. What I mean by that is I continued to have difficulty visualising myself successfully undertaking the role of a public speaker.

8/8/2019 Press Release - Jan 2011 'the King's Speech'

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“I joined a speakers club in order to challenge my life-long fears of public speaking. Igained valuable experience and confidence by attending ASC meetings. Everyonewas so helpful and supportive. Today, I am at ease when addressing any audience.”

During recent years Alan has become an extremely active public speaker, travellingextensively to fulfil engagements on three different continents, including a keynotespeech at the World Congress for People Who Stutter in Western Australia.

Alan regularly addresses community organisations in an attempt to increase publicawareness about stuttering, while his interviews on BBC Radio Wales have further brought the subject to the fore.

In addition, he is engaged as a motivational speaker for personal growthprogrammes, including providing an input into development seminars run by theGwent Constabulary. Ironically, Alan’s police career was blighted by his speechdifficulties that, at one time, caused him to be removed from operational duties andtransferred to an administrative role.