Speaking With Care

A gentle speaking circle where women build confidence at their own pace, while sharing meaningful moments with care home residents.

Speaking with Care is a confidence-building speaking circle for women, hosted in partnership with care homes.

Overview

Speaking with Care is a small, supportive public-speaking initiative designed to help women build confidence in expressing themselves while creating meaningful, enjoyable experiences for care home residents.

Speaking with Care welcomes women at every level of confidence from those who enjoy speaking to those who feel unable to speak in public at all.

We recognise that the idea of speaking can bring real fear or overwhelm. Participation is always an invitation, never an obligation. Some women may begin by saying just a few words, others may choose to listen until they feel ready. Together, we create a space where confidence can build gently, at a pace that feels comfortable and encouraging.

Only 10 places available on first come first serve basis so be quick to register.

Purpose

The initiative has a dual purpose:

1. To support women in overcoming fear of public speaking by practising in a psychologically safe, real-world setting.

2. To enrich the lives of care home residents by offering stimulating conversation, storytelling, and social connection beyond traditional activities.

At its heart, Speaking with Care is about voice, presence, and belonging at any stage of life.

How It Works

• Frequency: Fortnightly sessions starting 24th Jan

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Location: Ridgeway Rise Care Home, Blunsdon St Andrews

• Dates: 1st Edition - 24th Jan, 07th Feb, 21st Feb, 07th Mar, 21st Mar.

• Time- 15:00-16:00

• Participants:

o 10 women speakers per session

o Care home residents as listeners and reflective contributors

• Facilitation: Light-touch, supportive facilitation to maintain safety and flow

Session Format

Each session follows a simple, repeatable structure:

1. Welcome & Settling In - A warm arrival, introductions, and a brief grounding moment.

2. Speaking Circle - Each woman speaks for 3–5 minutes on a chosen topic drawn from lived experience, reflection, or storytelling.

3. Resident Reflections - Residents are invited to share what they enjoyed, what resonated, or what the talk reminded them of. Feedback is reflective and appreciative not evaluative or critical.

4. Closing Circle - Speakers and residents share one takeaway or moment they valued from the session.

Speaking Topics

Topics are intentionally human and accessible and may evolve over time in response to the interests and experience of both speakers and residents, for example:

• A meaningful life experience

• A lesson learned over time

• A person or place that shaped me

• Courage, change, or finding one’s voice

• Advice I would give my younger self

No prior speaking experience is required.

What Makes This Different

• A real audience without pressure or judgment

• Feedback rooted in connection, not critique

• Mutual benefit for speakers and listeners

• A calm, welcoming alternative to formal speaking clubs

• A focus on confidence, presence, and humanity rather than performance

Benefits

For Women

• Increased confidence and self-trust

• Reduced fear of speaking in front of others

• A supportive peer community

• Opportunity to practise voice and presence meaningfully

For Care Home Residents

• Engaging, enjoyable social interaction

• New stories and perspectives

• Opportunities to reflect, contribute, and feel valued

• Something to look forward to beyond routine activities

Values

• Psychological safety

• Kindness and respect

• Inclusion and dignity

• Mutual learning

• Human connection across life stages