BodySmart for Carers

A free wellbeing course for parents & carers

BodySmart for Carers is a 12-week course for parents and carers of care-experienced children - to reduce stress, improve wellbeing, and build resilience.

Learn over 100 simple, research-backed techniques — through short online films and body-based exercises.

This course is offered free of charge as part of a research pilot (normally £449). Alongside the online programme, participants connect, share experiences and embed the tools via in-person meet-ups in Leicester city centre.

Led by Julia Hamer, certified BodySmart facilitator, adoptive parent, and former foster and kinship carer.

Course dates:

  • Wed Sept 3 10-10.30 – online welcome

  • Wed 17 Sept 10-12 – in person, pod session 1 – reflections on module 1

  • Wed 1st Oct – online, pod session 2 – Q&A session

  • Wed 15th Oct – in person and online – pod session 3 – group exercise and reflections on modules 3-4

  • Wed 29th Oct – online – pod session 4, modules 5 & 6 – putting the work into practice

  • Wed 12th Nov – in person celebration and live graduation. What’s next?

What you’ll get

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    Over 100 research-backed tools to help reduce stress and manage daily life, based on 175 pieces of research.

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    Six modules to help build strength, flexibility, resilience and endurance, each with practical techniques to regulate the nervous system - including movement, stretches, breath, posture an visualisations.

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    Be part of a research pilot to evidence BodySmart’s impact for the care-experience sector. BodySmart is already proven across many other sectors including corporate and healthcare, with 4.7/5 Trust Pilot reviews.

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    The course is easy to do from the comfort of your own home, through an online portal with over 70 short films - each 3-5 minutes in length.

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    Enjoy in person and online ‘pod’ meet ups - learn, reflect and grow together with other parents and carers just like you.

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    The course is suitable for those with health conditions and disabilities - the simple body-based tools can be easily adapted.

Interested?

Get in touch.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Somatic coaching is a body-based approach to personal growth and development. In its simplest terms, its a listening service where you can confidentially talk about any area of your life where you want to see an improvement, such as your relationships, health, wellbeing, finances or career. I’ll listen, reflect back and gently probe through questions to help you think a bit deeper, organise your thoughts and take the best next steps. Coaching is much more action oriented than counselling or therapy. The key difference to other ‘talking services’ is that this approach also combines simple movement, breath, posture, and awareness exercises to help you reconnect with yourself, understand and reduce stress, free up whatever’s ‘stuck’ and build your resilience. We work with both your mind and body to create change that lasts.

  • Good question! Anything you want! Comfortable and casual clothes that you can stretch, lean and flop forward in are best so you don’t feel too self conscious. If you’re wearing a killer outfit, we’ll work around it! Sensible shoes are best.

  • You choose. The location needs to serve your physical and emotional needs. Here are some options:

    • My studio at LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester offers a quiet, welcoming and confidential space.

    • I can come to you for a walk-and-talk session in your local park.

    • If you have a special place that helps you to recharge your batteries, such as a local cafe, spa, cycle route or river, let’s meet there! We can even integrate gentle exercise such as cycling into the session.

    • If time is short, or you can’t leave the house, let’s meet online - via zoom.

  • No! Sessions are for all abilities. Please let me know if you have a disability or any physical needs so I can adapt activities for you.

  • Somatic coaching isn't counselling or 'therapy' so can work well alongside counselling or therapy. It’s best to let your therapist know, and I’m happy to liaise with you and them (if appropriate, with your permission) to make sure we’re supporting you in the best way.

  • Many of the techniques and activities in body-based coaching can be easily adapted. Please be open about your needs so I can make sure the space and approach work for you.

  • In-person sessions allow for more interaction and physical exercises, but online offers freedom, flexibility, and safety—especially if leaving the house is difficult. Both have their strengths and both are effective.

  • Yes. I understand childcare challenges and will work around nap times, bedtimes, or school runs where possible - let's chat!

  • Sessions are £50 per hour. Fully funded sessions for carers are available through The Raft charity. How often we meet is up to you. You can book a regular slot (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly), pay as you go, or have a ‘one off’ or more intensive block after e.g. a major change, when you need it most.

    Think of it as an investment...coaching can save you wasted time, energy, and money by helping you focus on what matters, cut through overwhelm, and make clearer decisions based on the things you really value. The benefits often extend far beyond the hour we spend together.