Meet Grand Finalist, Martha Bentley

We are delighted to share that this has been the biggest year ever for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge. Up to 35,000 students have been trained in over 500 schools across all of London and Essex.

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge provides year 10 students in state schools across London and Essex with public speaking and communication training to increase their confidence, sense of agency and drive to make a difference in society.

During the academic year, over 500 schools have received a free one-day public speaking workshops for their students. The student’s confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day. During 2023-2024, 74% of students have increased their confidence to stand up and talk to a group of people. At the end of the day, every school nominates one student to go on to a Regional or Digital Final, where they compete again other school finalists and their speeches are judged based on content delivery, structure and positive impact by a panel of esteemed judges. After going on to win the semi-finals, our 15 inspirational, articulate, and impressive speakers are now ready to present their speech to you!

We will celebrate the achievements of these awe-inspiring young people in the heart of London’s West End at Cambridge Theatre on Monday 8th July and crown the 2024 Speak Out Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2024 Grand Finalist Martha Bentley! 

Their speech ‘Put Your Headphones On’ earned them and their school, Davenant Foundation School, first place in the West Essex Regional Final. 

We asked Martha, what three items or people would you choose to take to a desert island and why? 

Swim suit – as I am a swimmer you can’t keep me out of the water, so if you’re taking me to an island surrounded by water, you better believe I’d come prepared!

First Aid Kit – I’m first aid trained and also extremely clumsy which luckily go hand in hand. Best thing to have in an accident and I’m VERY accident prone.

My Best Friend – Even though we would both be a bit useless she would always keep my spirits high and make sure I never stopped smiling! (She’s also another reason for the first aid kit)

What is your favourite saying or quote?

“Where words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Anderson

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Super noodles – I have always loved them since I was a kid and they have always been a kind of comfort food to me, and to be honest, and dish with noodles in and you’ve already sold me!

What three tips would you give to a Year 7 student? 

1. Slow down, life goes quicker than you think 2. Don’t let others stop you trying new things or doing the things you love. 3. Use deodorant.

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

I chose to speak about music because of its significance to me personally. In my everyday life, I play guitar and I sing in multiple choirs and in church. Also, when there have been rough patches in my life, music has always been there for me to turn to, put my headphones on, and block the world out. It’s an incredible tool and I just want to share that with people as many don’t know how important it is to our lives and development of our world.

Why do you think it’s important for young people like you to share their stories?

I think it’s important because we are the upcoming generation and so we need learn to speak up and be heard so that lots of different voices, opinions, and attitudes can influence our future and the world in which we live.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?

To ensure all people have access to clean water and therefore abolishing all disease spread through poor sanitation.

How could this experience help you further any passions you have?

This opportunity to perform in a West End theatre will help boost my confidence and improve my stage presence when it comes to performing. As someone who loves to play and sing, these are vital skills.

Outside of delivering the speech, how do you think this experience can be useful now or in the future? 

The ability to communicate well is one of the most important skills we can have whether it is for interviews, challenging other people’s ideas or just sharing how we feel. This is something that will help me every day of my life.

How would you like people to act/think differently after hearing your story?

I would like people to recognise how important music is in their every day life. From the ring tone on your phone to the score in a film, music is impacting you in ways you may not even know. I would like people to consider all types of music as valuable because there is someone out there today who relies on it.

Best of luck Martha and see you at the Grand Final on July 8th!