1:1 Coaching.
What is 1:1 Coaching?
1:1 coaching is a personalised, goal-focused process that helps young people build self-awareness, confidence, and strategies for positive change.
It draws on psychology-based principles and evidence-informed methods to deepen self-understanding and explore the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, helping each young person move forward in ways that matter most to them.
Through regular sessions with a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Coach, young people are guided to set meaningful goals, reflect on challenges, and develop practical tools to manage everyday life. The coach will work closely with each young person, adapting the pace, focus, and techniques to suit their individual goals, interests, and circumstances. The approach is flexible and responsive, meeting each young person where they are.
It is important to note that unlike counselling or therapy, coaching doesn’t diagnose or treat mental health issues. Instead, it focuses on helping young people develop the self-awareness, motivation, and practical tools they need to move forward and thrive.
In keeping with all GRIT services, our 1:1 coaching is guided by the Four Corners Method, providing a consistent framework for growth and self-awareness. Movement is also an important part of our approach and non-contact boxing may be introduced when it supports engagement, focus, or self-awareness. While this may not feature in every session, the boxing metaphor remains central throughout, offering a powerful and relatable way to explore resilience, strength, and personal development.
Who Can Benefit from 1:1 Coaching?
Our 1:1 coaching is suited for young people who:
- Feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or low in self-belief/confidence
- Want to develop coping strategies for stress, emotions, relationships
- Need support in transitions (school, further education, employment)
- Are open to exploring themselves, trying new angles, and committing to growth
- Prefer a more private space than a group setting
- Want to work at their own pace, whether gradually or more intensively
I have become more confident in myself and I have pride in the things I achieve and I don’t care what others’ think of me anymore. I’ve also seen a big improvement in my mood and these sessions have really helped me
A young person
What to Expect from 1:1 Coaching
Here’s what a typical coaching relationship might include:
Chemistry Session
During this introductory session, the coach gets to know the young person, introduces the Four Corners Method, supports them to start thinking about their goals, and completes the pre-service questionnaire. Together, they agree and sign the coaching contract, setting clear expectations and creating the foundation for a safe and supportive coaching relationship.
Initial assessment & goal-setting
The first session(s) focus on understanding the young person’s current strengths, challenges and hopes. Together with the coach, they will set goals or themes to work on.
Regular coaching sessions
The young person will meet (in person or online) their coach every 2 weeks lasting 45–60 minutes (or adjusted as needed). On average they will receive 6 sessions, but the coach will continually assess if more sessions are required.
Review & adapt
Through the coaching sessions, the coach will review progress with the young person and reflect on what’s working, what isn’t and adjust the sessions accordingly.
Closure & next steps
When the coaching sessions come to an end, or when a young person has reached their goals, there’s a final review to celebrate progress and plan how to keep building on what’s been achieved. If needed, the young person can also be signposted to other support.
Coaching sessions can take place in GRIT’s boxing gym or office in Hitchin, or online, depending on what works best for the young person. Coaching may also be delivered on site at school for students referred through their school.
How 1:1 Coaching Supports Young People
1:1 coaching can make a real difference in a young person’s life in multiple ways.
Here are some of the key benefits:
Because sessions are 1:1, coaches can adjust their approach to the young person’s pace, learning style, interests, emotional state, and needs. This creates a safe space where the young person truly feels heard and valued, which is the heart of everything GRIT does.
Through questions, reflection and guided exploration, coaching helps young people become more aware of how they respond to stress, what beliefs or patterns hold them back, and how they might choose different responses.
Over time, coaching supports the young person to build inner resources (such as self-compassion and confidence, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, assertiveness) so they feel more resilient to face challenges rather than becoming overwhelmed by them.
Many young people struggle with uncertainty. It is a time where there is a lot of change. Coaching can help to clarify what matters to a young person; reviewing their values, set meaningful goals, and create small, achievable steps forward.
GRIT’s Four Corners Method supports both mental and physical wellbeing by helping young people connect what they think, feel, do, and believe. Through the combination of non-contact boxing, boxing metaphor and health and wellbeing coaching young people can build self-awareness, confidence, and resilience. This integrated approach helps young people strengthen both their mental health and physical wellbeing, giving them tools to manage challenges, boost confidence, and maintain balance in everyday life.
Coaching supports lasting change by helping young people develop self-awareness, motivation, and practical strategies they can continue using long after sessions end. Rather than offering quick fixes, coaching encourages reflection, accountability, and ownership, empowering young people to make choices that align with their values and goals. As they build confidence, recognise their strengths, and learn to respond differently to challenges, the progress they make becomes part of how they live day to day, not just something that happens during coaching sessions.