A former classroom teacher has launched a new initiative designed to give children additional support with confidence, emotional wellbeing and personal development beyond the school environment.
Rose Dray, based in Lincolnshire, has founded Grow Minds Coaching after qualifying as a children’s confidence and mindset coach. Following a teaching career spanning more than 20 years, she identified a growing need for tailored emotional support for young people.
The service is set to begin working with children ahead of the September school term through in-school programmes, home-based support and individual coaching sessions.
Dray’s move into coaching was inspired by her professional experiences and her role as a parent to autistic twins, both of which have shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by children and families.
She believes coaching provides an opportunity to enhance the support already available through schools by offering children dedicated guidance focused on confidence, anxiety and emotional wellbeing.
“After more than 20 years in teaching, I felt there was a growing need for this type of support,” she said. “Schools are working incredibly hard, but there are increasing pressures on staff and limited time available to give children the individual attention they sometimes need.
“Coaching allows me to focus on the child as a whole person and create the space for conversations that can help build confidence and resilience over time.”
The Grow Minds Coaching model encourages cooperation between families, schools and children to create consistent support networks.
According to Dray, spending time in schools often provides valuable context that can help identify factors influencing a child’s confidence and emotional wellbeing.
“The idea is to work within schools with children who are struggling, while also supporting families through one-to-one sessions,” she said. “When I work with children in school, I can build relationships with teachers and staff who know them well. It helps create a fuller picture of what is happening and often leads to more open and productive conversations.”
In addition to coaching, Dray has written several books focused on children’s mindset and emotional health.
Her recent titles include Behind The Brave Face, Holding Big Feelings and Big Changes, Brave Steps.
The books cover themes such as resilience, emotional regulation, confidence building and adapting to life changes, offering practical tools for both children and parents.
Dray believes the growing national conversation around children’s mental wellbeing has increased interest in specialist coaching services.
Many educational professionals and researchers continue to emphasise the value of early support when young people experience anxiety, low confidence or social difficulties.
Future plans for Grow Minds Coaching include online programmes aimed at small groups of children seeking additional support with self-esteem and confidence.
These digital services will complement existing face-to-face coaching while improving accessibility for families across a wider geographical area.
As the new school year approaches, Dray’s priority remains helping children develop the confidence and emotional skills required to overcome challenges and achieve their potential.
By combining educational experience, coaching credentials and personal understanding, she hopes to provide meaningful support to families seeking additional wellbeing resources.