The Speakeasy Survey 2023
The Speakeasy Survey 2023
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
Our survey has given us a clearer picture of how we can better support our community – by offering more learning opportunities, developing their interests and helping them stay well. We used these findings to craft actions that will make sure we’re helping them reach new heights. It’s all part of the mission to help everyone learn, connect and grow as individuals.
WHAT DID WE FIND OUT?
72% of respondents said ‘lack of time’ was a barrier to pursuing interests.
People rated personal development a 7.9/10 in terms of importance to them, and professional development was rated at 7.3/10.
77% of respondents said that their family was their top priority amongst everything.
43% of respondents said regular meet-ups were the top area of support they desired in terms of improving their wellbeing.
OUR KEY ACTIONS
Create an online & in-person community.
Make information relatable, relevant, and as easily accessible as possible.
Questions we need to ask ourselves constantly:
Do we have the person at the heart of this decision?
Will this make people’s lives easier? Happier? More enjoyable?
Will this help people challenge their thinking and support their curiosity?
Is it fun and authentic?
A one stop shop, where everything you need is inside one online community, all at the click of a button.
It’s your online clubhouse! Everything that you talk about in YOUR clubhouse is now online and easily accessible.
Wellbeing, conversations, events and more…
Speakeasy Bench #4 - Dragons RFC Supporterd by Addis Housewares
Speakeasy Bench #4 - Dragons RFC Supported by Addis Housewares
RODNEY PARADE LATEST WORLD FAMOUS VENUE
TO BECOME HOME TO SPEAKEASY CLUB ‘PINK BENCH’
Last week it was Sheffield Wednesday’s world renowned Hillsborough and this week it is Dragons RFC’s famous Rodney Parade ground that has welcomed the latest Speakeasy Club ‘pink bench’ in the battle to open up conversations on mental health.
Long-standing Owls fan Simon Clarke, the founder of the Penarth-based Speakeasy Club, has been trekking around Wales and England linking up with sports clubs to try to spread the gospel about opening up to friends and family when times get tough.
Clarke’s mission is to put free wellbeing and mental health resources in every community sports venue in the world, with the Speakeasy Bench being the current delivery model.
Each bench is strategically placed to attract attention and its distinctive colour stimulates curiosity. Two unique QR codes on each bench then allow people to scan in straight to the online clubhouse where they are able to access free mental health support and resources to support themselves and their teammates.
Rodney Parade, one of the oldest sporting venues in Wales and home to both Dragons RFC and Newport County, is the latest venue to adopt a bench for the new season in similar fashion to Sheffield Wednesday, who took two last week.
Last month Clarke installed a bench at St David’s RFC in Pembrokeshire and a bowls club in Ebbw Vale. Since October last year there have been seven installations and there are several more in the pipeline.
On top of that, Speakeasy Club has partnered with Rugby Mental Health charity Looseheadz, and is going to work with all 274 registered rugby clubs in Wales to stress the power of conversations within sporting communities.
“I’m a big supporter of open, honest, and curious conversations on the training pitch as well as in the clubhouse,” explained Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan.“It was really interesting being part of the clubhouse conversation on the bench with representatives from across the Dragons and the different perspectives on what the club means to people were very powerful.“My local rugby club Penallta RFC means the world to me and my family, so I know first-hand how important it is to come together in a safe space with the common interest of rugby at heart. Long may it continue.”
Clarke founded Speakeasy Club to try to inspire people to take time out and talk more after he struggled with his own mental health andc one day found himself maybe on the edge of a cliff on Barry Island.
“Sport has given me so much throughout my whole life. When I was struggling with my own mental illness, the rugby club clubhouse was my safe space and almost a refuge from reality,” said Clarke.
“We must make these places as accessible as possible for their communities and show the next generations the power of talking to each other. That’s what we aim to do through Speakeasy Club and why I want to see pink benches across Wales and beyond.”
The latest bench will be installed at Rodney Parade ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season. It also comes a week after the news that England cricket legend Graham Thorpe took his own life after suffering from severe depression.
“The idea is that we do all the work for you by collating the fantastic help that is out there. It saves you time and energy,” added Clarke.
“I often wonder whether if I’d access to these resources in the places I was going regularly, maybe I wouldn’t have found myself on the edge of that cliff at Barry Island.”
Dragons RFC Community manager Mike Sage has sited the Speakeasy Bench at the heart of the club’s fan zone at Rodney Parade.“Our growing ‘Family of Provisions’ encompass Sport, Education, Inclusion, Community Outreach and Health and Wellbeing to drive change and positive outcomes. The work Speakeasy Club are doing to complement these areas in partnership with us makes complete sense,” said Sage.
“We pride ourselves on being committed to inclusive rugby opportunities, and that extends to the wellbeing of all involved with our community programme and the Dragons RFC, both on and off the pitch.’’
For further information contact Simon Clarke (founder): [email protected] or www.speakeasyclub.co.uk