In immediate danger, call 999. Free, 24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247.

Empowered Guidance Sessions

Guidance for when you don’t know where to start

One-to-one support from someone who has been there and understands the systems you’re facing. Calm, practical and completely confidential, helping you make sense of what’s happening, understand your options and feel ready for what comes next.

You don’t have to have it all figured out

Sound familiar?

People often don’t know where to begin. If any of these are going round your head, a guidance session is a good place to start.

“Is this abuse?” “Am I imagining this?” “What are my options?” “I’ve just left, what now?” “I’m in court next month.” “How do I keep communicating about the children?” “What support is there where I live?” “How do I prepare for a MARAC or solicitor meeting?”

How it helps

A safe space to think it through

Led by Louise Sherwood, drawing on lived experience, years facilitating the Breaking the Fear programme, and a strong working knowledge of the systems people meet, from the family courts to MARAC, refuges and local support. Every session is warm, non-judgemental and led by you.

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Make sense of it

Talk through what’s happening with someone who gets it, and begin to understand your experience without judgement.

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Understand your options

See the paths open to you, and the support available, explained in plain English so you can decide what’s right for you.

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Prepare with confidence

Get ready for a hearing, a solicitor meeting or a MARAC: what to expect, what to take and how to say what you need to say.

Sessions & prices

Simple, transparent pricing

Start with a free discovery call, then choose what suits you. Sessions are held by phone or video call, wherever you are.

FreeDiscovery Call · 20 minutes

A no-pressure chat to see if guidance is right for you, and for us to understand how we might help.

Book now
Most booked £99Guidance Session · 60 minutes

A full session to talk things through, understand your options and agree practical next steps at your own pace.

Book a session
£149Court Preparation Guidance · 90 minutes

Focused preparation for a hearing or meeting: what to expect, what to take, and how to feel ready and heard.

Book court prep
Best value £249Support Package · 3 × 60 minutes

Ongoing guidance across three sessions, for when you’d value steady support over a period of time.

Enquire
Cost should never be a barrier to safety. A limited number of free and low-cost places are available, funded by our other work and reinvested as a Community Interest Company. Please just ask, in confidence.

Being clear

What guidance sessions can and can’t do

Guidance sits alongside the professionals in your corner, it doesn’t replace them. So you always know where you stand, here’s exactly what these sessions are, and what they’re not, under UK law.

What we can do

  • Explain the systems and processes you’re facing, in plain English
  • Help you understand and weigh up your options
  • Help you prepare for hearings, meetings and solicitor or agency appointments
  • Offer calm, non-judgemental support from lived and practical experience
  • Help you find your voice and work out what you want to say
  • Signpost you to specialist legal, therapeutic and local support services

What we can’t do

  • Give formal legal advice, or tell you what to do in your specific case, that’s for a regulated solicitor or legal adviser
  • Represent you or speak on your behalf in court
  • Provide counselling, therapy or mental-health treatment
  • Contact the other party or agencies on your behalf as a representative
  • Guarantee any particular outcome
Empowered Guidance Sessions provide education, guidance and signposting. They are not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified solicitor, or for therapy from a registered professional. If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. If you can’t speak, call 999 and press 55.

Good to know

Questions

Do you give legal advice?

No. We provide guidance, education and signposting, not legal advice. We can help you understand the process and prepare, but advice on the law as it applies to your case should come from a regulated solicitor or legal adviser. We can help you find one.

Is it confidential?

Yes. What you share stays confidential. The only exception is if someone is at risk of serious harm, when we may need to follow safeguarding routes. We explain this gently at the start of every session.

What if I can’t afford it?

Cost should never stand between you and support. A limited number of free and low-cost places are available, please just ask when you get in touch.

Where are sessions held?

By phone or video call, so you can take part from wherever feels safe and private for you.

Not sure if it’s right for you?

Start with a free chat.

A free, no-pressure 20-minute discovery call is the easiest first step. No commitment, just a conversation.