Believe it or not, your chances of dying of stage fright are thanksfully extremely slim! You might feel as if you are dying on the stage, but chances are good your audience won’t even notice your wobbly knees and perspiring brow.

The first point to note about fear of public speaking is that it's very common. Even the best speakers were once terrified novices, and some top actors and performers still experience bouts of nerves (strong enough to make the ill in some cases!) before they go on stage.

What the professionals have mastered though is how to manage their nerves and channel that energy productively. The second point to note is that if they can learn such techniques, then so can you.

Here's where Toastmasters can help. The environment is friendly and supportive, and the self-paced programme allows you to build confidence with each speaking assignment. Constructive evaluation is at the heart of the Toastmasters Programme. Each time you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will poitn out strengths and suggest improvements.

The third and final point : if you're ready to tackle your fears now, come along to our next meeting and see how the programme works. Talk to our members and hear their stories of how they're overcoming their fears. Guests are welcome at every meeting and can come as many times as they like.