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Case Study: Julia Yates

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Get in contact with Julia!

Hi Julia, tell us a bit about you and your business.

I’m Julia, a single mum and the owner of Lancaster Creative Counselling. My business is focused on using creativity therapeutically, in a safe and supportive environment. As a neurodivergent woman I think outside of the box. I have always found that expressing my feelings and experiences through art helps me to connect and gives me insight. I help other neurodivergent people of all genders to connect with their emotions through person centred counselling with expressive art therapy and sand tray therapy.

What inspired you to join The Growing Club?

When my daughter started school, I wanted to go back to counselling work and start my own business, working around school hours.

Another mum recommended The Growing Club, having taken part in the very first Growing Club business course. I contacted Jane and there was one place left on the course that was just about to start. I joined a course with other creative women, in a similar position to myself. I have not looked back since.

Tell us about your journey with The Growing Club 

My journey with The Growing Club started in Autumn 2019 when I joined the Roots and Shoots, business start-up course. Our very first session was a creative one; making a vision board and writing about my business vision. This was right up my street!

Throughout this course I focused on trialling workshops and therapy groups using expressive art. I delivered over 50 workshops in many organisations and collected feedback from participants. This industrious time helped me to build confidence, self-belief and professionalism. The other women in the group provided support and accountability. Despite the pandemic, we all persevered, through zoom to complete the course.

My journey has taken a few twists and turns since then. I now focus mainly on individual clients, receiving referrals from Lancashire County Council and an online directory. I also work with an online global company, taking referrals from places as far away as Saudi and Ecuador.

In 2020 I was asked to come onboard with The Growing Club trainers to become a tutor. I now facilitate the course that I participated in at the start of my journey.

What has been your biggest challenge over the past couple of years? 

The biggest challenge for me over the last couple of years has been to manage different responsibilities and stay true to my passion. I have had a part time job for 5 years, a child at school and Growing Club courses to facilitate.

Over these past 5 years, I have gradually streamlined my work, time and focus. I now have a successful business and feel part of a supportive team of like-minded women at the Growing Club. I have gradually reduced and given up my part time work to focus on what I enjoy the most.

I have recently been exploring neurodivergence for professional and personal development, gaining a qualification in the process. The Growing Club has been hugely inspiring and supportive in relation to this. I have recently written a 6-session course called Neuro Nurture, which explores our unique strengths and struggles as neurodivergent women. The Growing Club team helped me to market this as a pilot course and it has received excellent feedback.

What are your plans for the next 12 to 24 months? 

Over the next 12 to 24 months, I would like to develop my understanding of the neurodivergent spectrum and how this relates to creative practice. I would like to continue to build on referrals from local authorities to help families understand their neurodivergent traits and support these within the family structure.

I would also like to develop further courses and workshops using expressive art. The Growing Club team has secured funding for 2 more Neuro Nurture courses and I can’t wait to see how this develops.

What is your biggest takeaway from your time at The Growing Club 

My biggest takeaway from my time at The Growing Club is that if you believe it is possible and follow your passion, your dreams can come true. In collaboration with others, we can achieve anything!

Contact Julia Yates

You can contact Julia via her website:


If you would like business support from The Growing Club, please email admin@thegrowingclub.co.uk or call 01524 383846. 

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Case Study: Debbie Bullock

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My business is Debbie Bullock HR. I am a Freelance HR Consultant.

My aim is to support employers to have a harmonious working relationship with their staff. I care deeply about people, their lives, our communities and believe we work better pulling together, not pulling apart. I have a strong, knowledgeable, and up to date background in Human Resources, specialising in Employment Law, with a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management focused in Employment Law from the University of Central Lancashire.

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Case Study: Amy Gunawan

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My business is Amy Gunawan Basketmaker, soon to be Amy’s Willow Weaving. I make baskets and woven decorative pieces from willow. I also run workshops teaching basketry and woven crafts which offer a space for people to take time out of their busy lives, to enjoy the creative process and be focused learning a new skill and to be in the present moment.

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Case Study: Jackie Bennett Shaw

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Jackie Bennett Shaw owns and runs a public relations consultancy in Lancaster called Marzipan PR, and has done since 2017.

Jackie took part in our project, where local, established women in business are trained to support and mentor other women who are running a business, in a non-hierarchical mentor relationship.

This was a fully funded project by Lancaster City Council, as part of the recovery and resilience strategy, and was a brand-new initiative in the region.