Safety, Confidence & Life Skills

I provide practical, real-world support for children and young people who may be struggling with confidence, anxiety, school, or life transitions. This includes young people with autism, ADHD, social anxiety, and other neurodivergent needs, as well as those who simply need extra support to feel safe, confident, and capable in everyday life.

I have extensive experience working in children’s homes and primary schools, supporting Year 6 pupils through key transitions and working closely with safeguarding teams. Previously, I ran programmes in schools to help young people build independence and resilience, but due to government cutbacks, these programmes could no longer continue. I now offer this vital support directly to families on a one-to-one basis.

Alongside my counselling work, I bring over 20 years’ experience providing protective and close protection services in the UK and hostile environments overseas, and over 40 years of training in self-defence. I have also worked with homeless and hard-to-reach individuals affected by substance misuse and alcohol dependency. This background gives me a strong, practical understanding of risk, personal safety, situational awareness, and calm de-escalation — skills I now use to help young people stay safe, make better choices, and navigate real-world challenges with confidence.

This support helps prepare young people for:

  • Moving from primary to secondary school

  • Starting college, university, or apprenticeships

  • Entering work for the first time

  • Becoming more independent and confident in the community

Support can include:

  • Using buses and trains

  • Going into shops and new environments

  • Building social confidence

  • Learning self-protection and de-escalation skills

  • Knife and drug awareness

  • And much more, tailored to each young person’s needs

I’m DBS enhanced checked and work in a calm, supportive, and structured way, always at the young person’s pace. My aim is to help children and young people feel safer, more confident, and ready for life’s next steps — while giving parents reassurance that their child is supported by someone with deep experience in safety, wellbeing, and real-world risk awareness.