SPEAKING in front of a large crowd is always nerve-racking.

How do we position ourselves? Are we projecting our voices enough?

What do we do with our hands while we are talking?

Trying to give the perfect speech is a lot of pressure – but an object so small and so simple, can make all the difference.

English teacher Anderley Hampson, of Tollesbury, has created an ingenious solution.

She invented the Confidence Cobble – a tiny object which is fast becoming a powerful pocket phenomenon across the UK and abroad.

The idea behind the initiative is evidence which shows people feel more confident when they are holding something.

Anderley, who is also part of the English Speaking Board which teaches public speaking skills, said: “Quite a few years ago I was working with people in business as well as young people, and public speaking is quite a nerve-racking thing to do.

“People often relax when they have something to hold.

“You can’t always have something too obvious so I would give them a paperclip or something small and it made so much difference to their confidence.

“It developed from there.”

The idea of holding an object does not just benefit public speakers.

Anderley, who works at St Mary’s School in Colchester, has worked closely with children who have exam fears, and even agoraphobics who are afraid of going outside.

She said: “There were a couple of children who were nervous about going into exams, so I gave them a little pebble to put in their pocket.

“It was a connection from the outside to go in with them.

“I always say the Confidence Cobble is with them when they are learning and it absorbs the same information – it’s their companion.

“It’s small enough that no-one would know. It’s really effective in so many different ways.”

The Confidence Cobbles are not just any old pebbles, as Anderley makes sure she personalises each one to suit whatever problems people are facing.

She writes a Guide for Successful Owners, which explains how the pebble works and how it will benefit each individual.

Another unique element is the pebbles are made from a luminescent material so they can be charged up in the sunshine and they will shine for about four hours – a real lucky charm.

This ridiculously simple idea seems too good to be true, but Anderley’s product reviews suggest they are a revelation.

She said: “It’s really exciting as it’s so simple.

“When you are standing up in front of people what do you do with your hands?

“There’s something about holding an object that makes you feel like you aren’t alone.

“The idea took off at St Mary’s School with the Year 11 students and now I have had sales from Scotland, Wales and even America. Lots of people have emailed me to say it’s made such a difference.”

Maybe there is, after all, a simple way to better mental health in this busy world full of pressures.

n Visit confidencecobble.com to find out more.