Client reviews – What people said about Freeflow Coaching

When you talk to Clare, she has the rare ability to make you feel both seen and heard as you are. You feel accepted. Regardless of how intimate or delicate the topic, Clare is able to hold space in such a way that allows you to open up and dig deep, in order to move forwards and grow.

She asks insightful, pertinent questions that enable you to review an issue from various angles and make clear, conscious choices accordingly.

Basically, engaging in important, far-reaching dialogue with someone who not only embodies a growth mindset, but manages to remain human and real at the same time, is a massive bonus when looking to make key changes to your life.

Clare landed on my path during a period of my life where I felt utterly lost, concerned my creativity source had dried up. She has been a real compass in the dark, helping me rediscover my passions, drive and potential. Clare is a strong insightful woman, whose name is the best word I can use to describe her: She truly brought clarity into my life.

Since Clare started working with us, I have seen immense progress in students who frequently are labelled as defiant, dysregulated, or school refusers. She excels at creating a safe, low-stakes environment for students to regulate their emotions and wellbeing. A key strength is her support and ability to have a restorative conversations or reconciliations. She guides young people to reflect on their actions, accept accountability, and understand the consequences of their behaviour on themselves and those around them, drastically improving their overall attitude.

Clare’s intensive support serves as a vital bridge back into the classroom. The students she works with demonstrate significantly improved engagement, focus, and a renewed commitment to learning. Through her structured guidance, these individuals successfully reintegrate into lessons. Students benefit from her presence before steadily growing more independent in their learning, which has naturally led to improvements in both attendance and academic performance.

Ultimately, Clare serves as a fierce advocate for each individual young person, ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Because she firmly stands in their corner, we have seen a massive increase in the confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness of the young people under her care. There is a clear, widespread appreciation among the student body for everything she does, and she has been an invaluable member of the team.

Working with Clare Saponia has really helped me open up and shift some very deeply ingrained, old patterns. Clare has consistently demonstrated the ability, skills and awareness to help me expand my own grasp of my circumstances on various levels. And this, in turn, has shed new light on specific internal issues that have been troubling me for years. Thanks to her unique sense of perception, her alertness and precise questioning, I have gained fresh insights into a previously unresolved problem.

Moreover, my sessions with Clare have enabled me to develop a kinder, more accepting and respectful relationship to myself. Her patience, presence and sensitive understanding of challenging internal processes has proven invaluable, as well as vital in ensuring trust between us. The journey has been immensely rewarding so far and I look forward to making further eye-opening discoveries.

Clare is an exceptionally reliable and insightful professional who truly goes above and beyond to understand and support every student. She has a remarkable talent for building confidence in young people, expertly addressing behaviour while always separating the action from the child. Her coaching approach is highly effective, framing challenges as positive learning opportunities and ensuring no one ever slips through the net. This supportive nature extends to her colleagues as well, as she even helped me build the courage to take the next step in my own career, which speaks volumes about her character.

Since knowing Clare, I have witnessed her exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships across all levels of the school community. Her warm, friendly demeanour makes her uniquely approachable, ensuring that students, staff, and parents alike find it easy to communicate and collaborate with her. As a colleague, Clare is a deeply committed and collaborative team member who has consistently gone above and beyond from the moment she started. Clare’s attitude and commitment to her work and the young people she supports are exemplary. She is highly attentive to the individual needs of each student and takes the time to craft action plans and strategies. In coaching these young people, she provides a brilliant balance of consistency and adaptability, shifting her approach depending on the requirements of the student.

Amazing! I think Clare has really helped me at school. She would listen to me and help me with any problem I had at school. She would also help me with homework when I didn’t understand it. Work with Clare! She can help you with anything or help you speak about your feelings and any problems you maybe have with a teacher.

Clare has a remarkable ability to create safe spaces for students that allow them to reach ‘lightbulb’ moments about the path they are on as a result of her support and guidance. She understands that all children have different needs and adapts accordingly to ensure that all feel like they can open up to her. Her relationships are based on mutual respect, whether that be with peers or coachees and her positive outlook means that those in her care know they are supported no matter what, helping them to develop and grow as individuals.

On a personal note, Clare will very much be missed. I have really enjoyed working with her and have appreciated her regular communication regarding the students, something that can only serve to benefit them.

Clare’s commitment to the coaching and advocation for young people is outstanding. She has been incredibly supportive during restorative conversations with vulnerable children and has improved the engagement and intrinsic motivation of many pupils that she works with – qualitatively and quantitatively re academic outcomes. As a colleague, she will always take time out of her day to support me with pastoral cases and is lovely to work with!

Clare, you have provided the students with what they most need, something valuable and memorable – your time, attention, energy and enthusiasm. Gifts they can keep and treasure! You will be sorely missed by students and staff alike.

Having you as a coach was the best decision. You guided me through Year 9, so thank you.

From the moment I met Clare, I was impressed by her calm, grounded and caring demeanour. Her work at this school has been invaluable. I particularly appreciated how she navigated mediation meetings.

Working with Clare has been a wonderful, supportive experience. She always keeps the best interests of my child at the heart of everything she does, and communication is always open, honest and timely. As a parent, I have benefited greatly from her clear guidance, regular updates, and practical advice on how I can support my child’s learning and well-being at home. She makes me feel heard, valued and confident that my child is in good hands.

My child has grown so much in confidence, ability and love for learning since working with Clare. She takes time to understand their unique strengths, needs and personality, adapting her approach to suit them perfectly. She has supported them not just academically, but also with their social skills, resilience and self-belief. My child now looks forward to school, feels safe and happy there, and is much more willing to join in activities and share their ideas. Clare has made school a positive, encouraging place for them.

I especially valued Clare’s warmth, patience and genuine care for every child. She is incredibly approachable, always ready to listen, and explains things in a way that is easy to understand. She is organised, consistent, and always goes the extra mile—whether that’s following up on a concern, sharing small wins, or offering extra support when needed. It’s clear she is passionate about what she does and truly cares about each child’s progress and happiness. Clare is very easy to reach.

I have already recommended Clare to several friends, and I would do so again anytime. Don’t miss the opportunity! Clare is kind, dedicated, and truly knows how to bring out the best in every child. Your child will feel supported, happy and valued, and you as a parent will feel fully involved and reassured every step of the way. It has been such a positive experience for our family, and I am sure it will be for yours too.

Thank you, Clare, for all your hard work, care and commitment. It has been a pleasure working with you, and we are so grateful for everything you have done for our child.

Clare has a wonderful heart and spirit about her that has aided her in forming successful and wonderful relationships with the students she works with. This is evident in the students’ success in the classroom, as well as outside.

Having Clare to talk to makes me feel calm. She has helped me settle into Year 7 and helped me focus. We have good communication, a good bond and work together well. You should work with Clare because it helps with confidence and settling in at school.

Clare is an excellent plumber!

She helped me to clear a blockage. I knew I had things to offer to the world but I also knew I was being held back by – myself. I was placing blockages in my path. I knew I was doing it, but seemed powerless to do anything to change it.

This resulted in a kind of paralysis in all the walks of life I wanted to walk down. And it manifested in self-sabotage and feelings of imposter syndrome. As well as huge anxiety about what would happen if I stuck my head above the parapet.

Clare facilitated a process of asking myself where these feelings were coming from, what purpose they were serving and finding strategies to overcome them to build confidence.

She listened carefully, warmly and non-judgementally as I described my many negative patterns of thought. Then she gave me practical strategies and tools to address these.

Clare has helped me immensely.

Thank you Clare!

Clare takes a huge interest in the lives of the young people she works with. Her emotional intelligence allows her to find the explanations for behaviour that others miss. This allows her to build positive relationships with young people that genuinely improve their lives.

Thank you for all that you have contributed to the school community and for all the support you have given the boys.

Clare has brought energy and commitment to her role. She is always ready to hear about students and to take their wider context into account when attempting to understand them and their challenges.  This open, non-judgemental approach is felt by the young people she works with enabling them to build strong, trusting relationships with her. Clare takes a strengths-based, empathic approach, to young people and their families, providing a safe and accepting space to explore issues, and work collaboratively towards change.

It’s been really motivating working with Clare. I feel really safe. She has made me want to go to school. You should go to the sessions because they are motivating.

Working alongside Clare I have witnessed firsthand her ability to create a real positive and lasting impact on young people. Clare has an ability to get through to the toughest of students, helping them to open up and improve their self-awareness. I have no doubts that she has already helped shape many lives!

You created such a warm, open space where I really had time to slow down and think. Your questions and our easy conversation led me towards a more thoughtful and self-focused way at work.

Clare has shown exceptional commitment in supporting boys with both their attitude to learning and behaviour. Her approach has allowed students to reflect and grow, which couldn’t have been done without the careful and thoughtful restorative conversations that Clare consistently has had with them.

Clare has helped me talk through things and calm down when I get angry about getting detentions. She understands me and where I’m coming from. I’d say working with Clare has been fun, helpful and positive. Do it because it helps.

You are an outstanding coach who has transformed the lives of many of our challenging pupils through exceptional relationship-building with students, parents and staff.

I feel so sad that you are moving on, but I cannot be greedy. Your coaching and advocacy have significantly improved students’ confidence, self-esteem, behaviour, and commitment to learning, including my own Form tutees.

Through restorative conversations and genuine care, you have helped students develop emotional regulation, focus, and academic success.

You are compassionate and highly respected colleague whose dedication consistently inspires positive change in every young person you support.

Clare is an attentive listener who skilfully works with young people to encourage them to listen to feedback and advice whilst also being heard themselves.

She has been a diligent mentor to many young people, tracking their progress, being a reliable person they can talk to and offering warm encouragement that shows them how to make positive changes. Many students in their first year of a new school found her help and support made their transition to a new setting much smoother.

Clare is collegial and energetic and has devoted time to working with colleagues to secure positive outcomes for young people.

Before working with Clare, I didn’t really understand why I would always have sudden outbursts. Then, I slowly learnt to control them. I liked how I always knew there was someone I could speak to and check in with. I would say you should definitely take the chance to work with Clare, as it has helped me gain control over my school life.

Clare has helped me help myself. What more could I possibly want from a coaching process? Her approach has enabled me to understand myself and others around me better, and as a result, look at a difficult situation with my boss from a new perspective. Clare’s coaching style has alleviated excess stress and proven immensely empowering!

Starting sessions with a short meditation really helps me determine what’s significant and what isn’t, so that I can prioritise. As the meeting progresses, Clare’s sharp, attentive questions and observations help me rediscover myself through sometimes subtle but meaningful, life-changing insights – Insights that are my own but would not have surfaced without Clare’s input. So, thank you Clare!

Clare has been excellent in terms of communication and working alongside both parents and other professionals involved with my child. She keeps everyone informed and works in the best interests of the child at all times. Because of Clare’s support, my child has developed more confidence and trust in adults and teachers within the school environment.

My child has become much more confident in talking about personal issues and expressing how he feels. He has learned new ways of managing situations and emotions through the support and guidance Clare has provided. Overall, his experience at school has improved positively because he feels listened to, supported, and understood.

Clare is very honest and genuinely has my child’s best interests at heart. She is balanced in her approach — while she addresses any negative behaviours or concerns, she also makes a point of recognising and praising the positive behaviours and progress my child has made.

Clare is professional, supportive, and dedicated in her role. As a parent I have been very happy with the support provided. I would definitely recommend her to other parents. She brings a positive, structured, and supportive approach that genuinely helps children develop and improve.

I would say: trust the process and encourage your child to engage with the experience. Clare creates a supportive environment that can really benefit children both emotionally and personally.

Working with Clare is calming and fun. She has helped me explore strategies to help me with my emotions and behaviour. She has helped me get back on track in school.

Clare has shown her gift and talent in the school to build wonderful connections with students. This has been seen to be successful through the student’s applying themselves in lesson and being truly encouraged. This is because Clare makes sure the good is seen in any student and their skills and achievements are rewarded. This is a wonderful skill to have as not a lot of young people have this person in their lives, especially in schools.

Clare always turns up at the best moments. It’s been fun. She has helped me not get into as much trouble in certain subjects and helped me like school more. Work with Clare because it will benefit you.

Thank you for everything you brought to my classroom and to our students. You have a calm, gentle way with young people, and I saw first-hand the difference that made with students who found Maths difficult and struggled to engage. I always appreciated your honest feedback and knowing we were working together to help students succeed. You brought patience, kindness and so much understanding, even in the most challenging moments. Students trusted you, felt safe with you, and genuinely loved having you around. It has been a real privilege working with you – You will be missed.

Clare helps me see through the fog of my own thoughts. She is calming and non-judgemental. Our work together encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things to grow in creativity.