Time for you

Free coaching for care-experienced parents and carers

Feeling stretched, stuck, or just in need of space?

You’re invited to reclaim an hour that’s just for you—with fully-funded coaching from Julia Hamer at Ember Coaching, offered in partnership with The Raft.

These fully-funded sessions are only for care-experienced parents and carers based in Leicester and Leicestershire.

This is your “You Time”—a confidential, trauma-informed space to pause, breathe, and move forward with clarity.

What happens in a coaching session?

You don’t need to prepare or explain everything. Just come as you are.

Each session is shaped around what matters most to you right now. Together, we might:

  • Talk through something that’s weighing you down - grief, guilt, worry or anything else

  • Plan for an upcoming family change or event, perhaps over your favourite meal in a relaxed restaurant

  • Take a walk and talk or cycle ride

  • Declutter and organise a physical space - I can come to you

  • Reflect on how you’re approaching a current role or relationship

  • Think about hobbies, self-care, having more fun or whatever you need next

  • Consider how your work-life balance is holding up, and whether your current caring role is sustainable — emotionally, financially, or professionally

  • Get focussed about a career change, pivot or start-up business idea.

  • Draft out a dreaded DLA or ECHP application!

I’ll guide the hour using simple coaching tools to help you feel clearer and more in control - no pressure, no judgment.

Coaching isn’t counselling or therapy, so if you’re currently receiving therapeutic support, coaching can sit alongside it. If you’re in crisis or need clinical help, I’ll always signpost you to the right services.

A woman with blonde hair smiling while seated indoors with abstract artwork in the background and an open book on her lap.

Ready to book your session?

To book, just call me (07929 376223), email julia@embercoaching.org.uk or click on the link below. Let’s create space for you to breathe, reflect, and move forward.

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Book your session

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • Coaching is a guided conversation that helps you think things through, feel more settled, and take steps that matter to you.

    You decide what to talk about, and I’ll support you with questions, listening, and simple tools to help you feel clearer, calmer, and more confident.

    I start from the belief that you’re not broken or in need of fixing — you already hold the insight and strength you need. Coaching simply creates the space to access it.

  • No — coaching is not therapy or counselling—we don’t go deep into your past or diagnose anything. Instead, we focus on what’s happening now and what might help. Coaching is future-focused, action-oriented, and designed to help you move forward with clarity. I work with people who are navigating complex roles, creative blocks, or emotional overwhelm.

  • 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 (pictured above).

    • 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, pub, cycle route or river, let’s meet there! We can even integrate gentle exercise into the session.

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

    In terms of timing, you’re welcome to book a slot via the boooking calendar, but if you can’t see a time that works for you (e.g. after 8pm) just call me and we’ll work something out.

  • Both work well—it depends on what suits you best.

    In-person sessions allow for more movement and face-to-face connection. Online sessions offer flexibility, privacy, and comfort—especially if getting out is hard.

  • Caring for children with traumatic backgrounds takes its toll. Coaching can offer a space to pause, reflect, and regroup—but it isn’t counselling or therapy. It doesn’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions, so it can often sit alongside other support.

    If you’re seeing a therapist, it’s helpful to let them know you’re also having coaching. With your permission, I’m happy to liaise with them to make sure we’re supporting you in the best way.

    If you’re in crisis or need clinical help, I’ll always signpost you to the right services.

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

  • Absolutely. Caring comes first and coaching can fit around it. We’ll find a time that works for you, and if things change, we can reschedule without fuss. If you can’t see a time that works for you on the booking calendar, just call/ email me and we’ll find a suitable time.

  • You can have up to three free sessions.

    How often we meet is up to you—weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or just a one-off. Some people book a block after a big change or challenge.

    Many find the benefits last well beyond the hour we spend together.

    There are 60 sessions free sessions available - first come first served.

  • This free offer is for people who are currently caring for a child or young person—or are registered to do so. That includes foster carers between placements, or adoptive/ kinship carers following a placement breakdown.

    To confirm eligibility, I’ll ask for your name, contact details, role, support agency, and name of your social worker, if you have one.

    As a trained DSL, I take safeguarding seriously and will always handle your information with care.

  • I offer:

    • Personal coaching – confidential, trauma-informed support to help you reset, reflect, and move forward

    • Group coaching – safe, tailored sessions for teams, carers, creatives, or professionals.

    • Reflective practice – for individuals or teams who want space to think, regroup, and strengthen their practice.

    • Business coaching – strategic support for sole traders, founders, and values-led organisations

    • BodySmart - a 12-week course that helps you understand how your body responds to stress, and how to reset it using simple tools like breathing, movement, and posture. It’s designed for carers, professionals, and anyone in emotionally demanding roles.

    • Project & events management – thoughtful planning and delivery for care-sector and creative initiatives.

  • “It’s like you see into my soul and reflect back who I want to be.”

  • “Julia brings lived experience and deep empathy to her work with the care-experienced community. We greatly value her within our charity - The Raft."

  • “Julia has been a godsend. Her intuitive, empathic presence helped me navigate a season of complex grief.”

  • “I’ve had therapy and supervision before, but this was different — your approach helped me connect with my body and creativity in a new way.”

  • “The breathing and stretching exercises grounded me and helped me prepare for what was ahead.”

  • “I can’t tell you how much it means to have found this support.”

  • “Oooh what a lovely morning… wish this was every week. Roll on next month!”

  • “I felt uplifted when I left — seriously, what a breath of fresh air!”

  • “I was slowly breaking under pressure. Julia helped me organise my thoughts, navigate a tricky situation, and work through the loss.”

  • "Wow. Two hours of being listened to to...I've never told anyone all that".

Book your free session -

I’d love to hear from you.

Book your free coaching session