What We’re Here To Do
About Speakeasy Club
Using our lived of experience of mental illness, we're on a mission to empower and educate sports teams, community groups and individuals on how to prevent them or their teammates from suffering in silence, and create a culture in sport where curiosity is cool and enhances everyone lives
Our Purpose
is to use the power of sport to normalise conversations around mental health, and empower people to help themselves and others before they need they really need help.
Our Mission
is to make FREE & accessible mental health & wellbeing resources available in every community sports club in the world.
Our Aim
is to educate, empower and inspire sports venues & their members to create environments where people feel safe to be curious, to talk openly and feel supported without judgement.
Our Goal
is to provide mental health & well-being resources at every community sports venue worldwide.
During my battle with mental illness, these venues were where I sought solace, yet the necessary resources and support just weren’t available.
Founder & Director
Simon Clarke
Speakeasy Club is a not-for-profit organization established in 2022, with a mission to use the power of sport to save lives by empowering, educating, and supporting individuals before they reach a point of crisis.
Founded by Simon Clarke, who brings 16 years of experience in National Governing Bodies of sport and over 30 years of active involvement in community sports, the organization is deeply rooted in the realities of sports environments.
Simon’s journey with depression and anxiety, combined with his intimate understanding of the challenges within stereotypical community club settings, gives Speakeasy a unique perspective.
His commitment to integrating support mechanisms into the everyday spaces visited by those who may be struggling allows Speakeasy to effectively address mental health challenges within community sports clubs. This initiative not only offers essential support but also fosters a culture of awareness and prevention, making a significant positive impact on the well-being of community sports participants.
Welcome to Speakeasy Club!
Director
Tim Naylor
Currently the Director of Integrity and Regulation at the British Horse racing Authority, a Non – Executive Director for Commonwealth Games Wales, former Non-Executive Director at the Football Association of Wales, and a Judicial Officer for the RFU, Tim has a undergraduate degree in History from Harvard University and a Master of Laws from Cardiff University.
Tim has previously held roles with industry giants including Citigroup (junior equity finance trader), and QEB Hollis Whiteman (self-employed barrister).
Director
Louisa Clarke
Louisa Clarke is a consultant and facilitator specialising in verbal communication and interpersonal dynamics.
She began her career as a voice, speech and text coach with actors and broadcasters before moving into the psychology and social science side of communication. She is currently in training as a psychotherapist.
She holds an MFA in Voice, is certified as an Advanced Restorative Facilitator, and is currently a Transactional Analyst in training in the field of Psychotherapy.
What Our Community Say
Speakeasy Club Testimonials
"I Really enjoyed working with Speakeasy and Simon, good fun and good banter. Well orchestrated by Simon who made it a really enjoyable experience. Loved the jersey idea too"
James Hook – Wales, lions, Ospreys & Gloucester
"What a cracking night the Speak Easy Team put on for us. Simon was an awesome host and led James and Lee on their stories so well, getting some really funny moments but also some really emotional bits as well. Everyone had a great night. Can’t wait until the next Speak Easy event at the club!!"
Andrew Tuite – Llanharan RFC
"Simon was a fantastic host at our annual Tennis Wales Awards in Cardiff, and St David’s Day celebrations in London. His event management & hosting through Speakeasy Club were superb, engaging with special guests, politicians, sponsors and partners, delivering events that we’re really proud to have collaborated on"
Simon Johnson – CEO Tennis Wales
"I thoroughly enjoyed the Women in Sport Leadership Lunch. The Keynote speaker was just outstanding...But more than that, it was just a great event. The speakers, the networking, the platform for incredible female leaders, the allyship, the concept, the empathy, the understanding...We need more female leaders in sport to make sport better and I left challenging myself to do something to make that happen faster"
Andrew Howard, CEO Welsh Sports Association
"Simon was a pleasure to work with - very well prepared for the event and has a very friendly persona, his events were professional, well organised and structured. I look forward to working with him again in the future!"
Shaun Edwards – Ex Wales defence coach, 5x Grand Slam winner & current French National Coach
"Fantastic evening at Llandaff RFC with Shaun Edwards sharing his life experiences and motivations - delivered with honest talking and plenty of humour. A unique insight into the mind of the finest Rugby league players of his era and one of the most successful Rugby Union coaches of the last 15 years. The whole evening was organised and delivered expertly by Simon and Lydia from Speakeasy Club"
Endaff Williams -Llandaff RFC Club Secretary
"I want to thank Simon and Lydia for putting on two fantastic evenings for myself and the boys. The professionalism and attention to detail were top-class. Speakeasy didn’t just bring rugby tales but also touched upon more personal issues that the public would not typically hear about. for any clubs looking for a dinner or a club night. I Highly recommend Speakeasy"
Lee Byrne – Wales, Lions, Clermont & Ospreys
"On behalf of Torfaen Leisure Trust, we would like to thank Simon from Speakeasy Club. Our recent Q&A was a huge success. Simon is a natural! Authentic and passionate, and the feedback for those attending was exceptional. We look forward to other events. Huge thanks, Simon! You have a brilliant career ahead of you! From all at TLT''
Angharad Collins – CEO of Torfaen Leisure Trust
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