Personal support and direction
Support with confidence, emotional wellbeing, life direction, career choices, work stress, motivation or personal development.
Find my support routeMentoring, counselling, coaching, training and community support
Support, training and guidance to help people move forward with confidence.
EMPMAX Academy: Empowering Minds to Maximise Lives
EMPMAX works with individuals, young people, organisations and disadvantaged communities through mentoring, counselling, life skills coaching, career development, CPD-accredited training and safeguarding-aware support.
- 1:1 personalised support
- Online, face-to-face and hybrid
- CPD-accredited course options
- Youth and community
- Safeguarding-aware intake
- Support beyond training
Start in the right place
Who are you looking for support for?
EMPMAX is designed to route people quickly and respectfully. Choose the closest starting point, or use the assistant if the situation crosses more than one area.
Youth mentoring and positive choices
Mentoring, confidence building, behaviour support, life skills, education support, positive choices and future direction.
Explore youth supportTraining and community delivery
CPD training, staff development, employability workshops, mental health awareness, mentoring programmes and community delivery.
Request organisational supportContractors and delivery partners
Support pathways for community groups, contractors, DWP-linked programmes, training providers and referral partners.
Discuss partnership optionsWhen people come to EMPMAX
People often know something needs to change before they know what support they need.
EMPMAX helps bridge emotional support and practical progress. The first step is to understand what is happening, how urgent it feels and which route is most suitable.
I feel stuck and need direction
For people who feel unsupported, uncertain, low in confidence or unsure how to move forward.
Ask the assistantI need someone to talk to
For people experiencing stress, grief, relationship strain, low mood or personal challenges.
Ask about counsellingI want to build confidence
For people who need structure, encouragement, life skills, accountability and everyday progress.
View life skills coachingI need help with work or career
For CVs, interviews, job searching, employability, workplace confidence and unclear next steps.
Explore career supportA young person needs support
For mentoring, positive choices, education support, confidence and future direction.
Request youth supportMy organisation needs training
For CPD training, staff wellbeing, employability workshops, mentoring programmes and community delivery.
Request a training quoteI need mentoring or accountability
For people who need guidance, encouragement, routine and someone to help them stay on track.
View mentoringI am not sure where to start
For mixed situations where confidence, work, family, wellbeing or direction overlap.
Use the EMPMAX assistantWhat EMPMAX does
From confusion to clarity, from low confidence to structured action.
EMPMAX works with individuals, young people, organisations and disadvantaged communities through training, mentoring, counselling, life skills coaching and career development.
The focus is clear: help people build confidence, develop practical skills, regain direction and access the right support at the right time.
1:1
Personalised support
Hybrid
Online and face to face
CPD
Accredited course options
Community
Support beyond training
Safe
Safeguarding-aware intake
Partners and clients
Trusted relationships connected to Andre Duffus and EMPMAX.
EMPMAX has worked with organisations across community training, employer support, business development and practical progression. These featured organisations were carried over from the public EMPMAX partners material.
Gateway Community Training
Community training, learning and progression connection.
ASB Security
Employer and security-sector relationship.
JustLend
Business and client relationship connected to EMPMAX.
Relationships that support learning, development and practical skills.
Connections that strengthen workplace confidence and real-world progression.
Partnerships that reflect EMPMAX's focus on people, opportunity and support.
Contractor opportunities
EMPMAX is open to new contractors, referral partners and DWP-linked delivery opportunities.
EMPMAX is always interested in hearing from skilled contractors who can support employability, mentoring, training, coaching, counselling, youth/community work and workplace development. This includes people connected to DWP, employability programmes, community delivery, training providers and support organisations.
Premium outcomes
Support that does more than talk.
EMPMAX blends practical development, emotional awareness and real-world progression so people leave with a clearer plan and stronger belief in what comes next.
Know what support fits
Visitors are guided toward coaching, counselling, mentoring, career support or training without confusion.
Build belief and structure
Support focuses on mindset, accountability, communication, employability and positive direction.
Develop practical skills
Training pathways support work-readiness, behaviour management, SEND awareness and professional growth.
Move into follow-up
The AI intake flow turns interest into clear enquiry notes so the team can respond faster.
Support pathways
Every route is designed around the person, situation and outcome.
Mentoring
1:1 guidance and accountability
- Who it is for
- Young people, adults and community members needing direction.
- Helps with
- Confidence, positive choices, motivation, routine and work-readiness.
- Best suited to
- People who need a steady support figure and practical encouragement.
- Format
- Online, face-to-face or hybrid depending on support needs.
- Price
- £30 per hour.
Life skills coaching
Practical progress and better habits
- Who it is for
- People who need structure, communication, confidence or life direction.
- Helps with
- Goal-setting, boundaries, routine, personal presentation and everyday progress.
- Best suited to
- People who want practical steps rather than a counselling route.
- Format
- 1:1 sessions online, face-to-face or hybrid.
- Price
- £30 per session.
Counselling
Emotional wellbeing support
- Who it is for
- People needing a respectful space to talk through personal challenges.
- Helps with
- Stress, low mood, grief, relationship strain, family difficulty and life transitions.
- Best suited to
- People who want emotional wellbeing support from the right trained person.
- Format
- Arranged after EMPMAX understands the enquiry safely.
- Price
- £40-£60 per hour. Unemployed clients should call for details.
Career development
Employability and next-step planning
- Who it is for
- People needing help with CVs, interviews, job searching or career direction.
- Helps with
- Work-readiness, workplace confidence, professional communication and progression.
- Best suited to
- People ready to move forward after setbacks or uncertainty.
- Format
- 1:1 guidance, employability support or tailored programme delivery.
- Price
- Confirmed after EMPMAX understands the support needed.
Employment advice
Support with work situations
- Who it is for
- People currently facing workplace stress, uncertainty or difficult conversations.
- Helps with
- Organising the situation, preparing for conversations and choosing the right next step.
- Best suited to
- Work situations where calm guidance and signposting may be needed.
- Format
- Assessment call followed by the most suitable support route.
- Price
- By assessment, based on the work situation.
Business coaching
Structured coaching for leaders and owners
- Who it is for
- Business owners, founders, leaders and professionals needing clarity.
- Helps with
- Direction, accountability, leadership confidence, prioritisation and action.
- Best suited to
- People who want a structured 3 month coaching pathway.
- Format
- Three 90 minute sessions over a minimum 3 month package.
- Price
- £250 per month, minimum 3 months, including three 90 minute sessions.
CPD training
Workplace and community training
- Who it is for
- Teams, schools, employers, community organisations and support services.
- Helps with
- Mental health awareness, employability, SEND, conflict and behaviour management.
- Best suited to
- Groups needing CPD, staff development or tailored learning.
- Format
- Organisation training, workshops, programmes or bespoke sessions.
- Price
- Mental Health Awareness Level 1 £350, Level 2 £500 per person.
Youth and community
Positive direction and confidence
- Who it is for
- Young people, families, community members and referral partners.
- Helps with
- Education support, better choices, mentoring, confidence and behaviour support.
- Best suited to
- Young people needing structure, safe guidance and positive direction.
- Format
- Mentoring, referral support, community delivery or programme work.
- Price
- Depends on support route, session type and referral context.
Black History Month
Speaking, workshops and events
- Who it is for
- Schools, organisations, community groups and event organisers.
- Helps with
- Representation, identity, resilience, leadership, culture and inclusion.
- Best suited to
- Events that need a meaningful talk or workshop shaped around the audience.
- Format
- Keynote, workshop, panel or tailored event session.
- Price
- Bespoke quote based on topic, audience, format, location and duration.
EPOCH Man
Direction, discipline and wholeness
- Who it is for
- Men who may be silently struggling and want stronger direction.
- Helps with
- Identity, confidence, accountability, discipline and emotional strength.
- Best suited to
- Men who need direction, discipline, accountability and space to rebuild.
- Format
- Confirmed after EMPMAX understands the support need.
- Price
- Confirmed after EMPMAX understands the support needed.
Investment guide
Premium support with clear pricing where the service is fixed.
Some services are priced per hour or per session. Tailored workplace advice, speaking and organisational training are quoted after EMPMAX understands the situation, audience and level of support required.
Career and workplace
Employment advice
By assessment
Pricing depends on the circumstances you are currently facing at work.
View detailsSpeaking
Black History Month speaking
Bespoke quote
Cost depends on the topic, audience, event format and preparation required.
View detailsBusiness coaching
Business coaching package
£250 per month
Minimum 3 months. Includes three 90 minute coaching sessions.
View detailsMentoring
1:1 mentoring
£30 per hour
Guidance, direction and accountability for personal, youth or community support.
View detailsLife skills
Life skills coaching
£30 per session
Practical support for confidence, life direction, structure and positive choices.
View detailsWellbeing
Counselling services
£40-£60 per hour
If you are unemployed, please call EMPMAX for more details before booking.
View detailsCPD accredited
Mental Health Awareness
Level 1 £350 Level 2 £500
Delivered as Level 1 or Level 2. Level 2 is delivered over 3 days. Prices are per person and all courses are CPD accredited.
Enquire about training| Service | Price | Best for | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 Mentoring | £30 per hour | Guidance, accountability, youth/community support and personal direction. | Check fit with the assistant or book a call. |
| Life Skills Coaching | £30 per session | Confidence, routine, communication, discipline and everyday progress. | Book a life skills enquiry. |
| Counselling Services | £40-£60 per hour | Emotional wellbeing, stress, grief, low mood and personal challenges. | Call for more details if unemployed. |
| Business Coaching Package | £250 per month | Business owners, founders, leaders and professionals needing structure. | Minimum 3 months, includes three 90 minute sessions. |
| Mental Health Awareness Level 1 | £350 per person | CPD-accredited awareness training for teams and organisations. | Request a training quote. |
| Mental Health Awareness Level 2 | £500 per person | CPD-accredited training delivered over 3 days. | Request a training quote. |
| Employment Advice | By assessment | Workplace issues, work confidence and unclear employment situations. | Explain the situation on a call. |
| Black History Month Speaking | Bespoke quote | Schools, organisations, events and community groups. | Share topic, audience, format, location and date. |
Detailed service guide
Each pathway has a clear purpose, audience and next step.
EMPMAX is designed to help people choose the right kind of support before they book. These service guides explain what each subject covers, who it is most suitable for and what the first conversation should clarify.
Employment advice
By assessmentSupport when work has become unclear, stressful or difficult to navigate.
Employment advice is for people currently facing a situation at work and needing calm, practical guidance before they decide their next step. EMPMAX can help users organise their thoughts, prepare for conversations and understand what support route may be suitable.
Useful for
- Workplace confidence and communication
- Understanding what feels wrong or unresolved
- Preparing for meetings or difficult conversations
- Deciding whether coaching, mentoring or signposting is needed
First call should clarify
- What is currently happening at work
- How urgent the situation feels
- What outcome the person wants
- Whether another professional route is needed
Pricing depends on the circumstances the person is currently facing at work.
Discuss employment adviceBlack History Month speaking
Bespoke quoteProfessional talks and sessions shaped around the audience, topic and event purpose.
This service is suitable for schools, organisations, community groups and events that want a meaningful Black History Month contribution with relevance, lived understanding and a strong message of empowerment.
Session themes can include
- Identity, resilience and representation
- Community leadership and positive direction
- Education, aspiration and personal development
- Workplace inclusion and cultural awareness
Quote depends on
- Topic and depth of preparation
- Audience size and age range
- Keynote, workshop or panel format
- Location, duration and delivery method
Cost is dependent on topic, audience and event requirements.
Request speaking quoteMentoring
£30 per hourGuidance, accountability and direction for people who need a steady support figure.
Mentoring is for young people, adults and community members who would benefit from encouragement, structure and practical guidance. It is especially useful when someone feels stuck, lacks confidence or needs help making better decisions.
Mentoring can support
- Confidence and self-belief
- Positive choices and personal responsibility
- Motivation, routine and accountability
- Education, work-readiness and future direction
Good fit for
- Young people needing guidance
- Adults at a turning point
- Community support referrals
- People who want practical encouragement
Mentoring is charged at £30 per hour.
Start mentoring enquiryBusiness coaching
£250 per monthA structured 3 month coaching pathway for business clarity, leadership and action.
Business coaching is built for people who want more than advice. It supports owners, leaders, founders and professionals who need structure, accountability and sharper decision-making around their work or business goals.
Package includes
- Minimum 3 month commitment
- Three 90 minute coaching sessions
- Goal-setting and progress review
- Accountability between major decisions
Focus areas
- Business direction and prioritisation
- Leadership confidence and communication
- Mindset, discipline and consistency
- Turning plans into measurable action
Business coaching costs £250 per month for a minimum of 3 months.
Book business coaching callLife skills coaching
£30 per sessionPractical coaching for confidence, structure, communication and everyday progress.
Life skills coaching helps people build useful habits, make better choices and feel more prepared for work, relationships, education or personal change. It is practical, encouraging and focused on manageable next steps.
Sessions can cover
- Confidence and personal presentation
- Communication and boundaries
- Routine, discipline and goal-setting
- Preparation for work, learning or independence
Best for people who
- Feel stuck but want practical steps
- Need accountability and encouragement
- Want to build stronger life habits
- Prefer coaching over counselling
Life skills coaching costs £30 per session.
Book life skills supportCounselling services
£40-£60 per hourRespectful emotional wellbeing support for people who need space to talk properly.
Counselling services are for people experiencing emotional pressure, stress, low mood, grief, relationship strain, family difficulty or personal challenges. The website assistant can guide enquiries, but counselling itself should happen with an appropriate trained person.
May support
- Stress, worry and emotional pressure
- Family or relationship difficulties
- Confidence, self-worth and life transitions
- Processing difficult personal experiences
Safeguarding note
- The assistant does not diagnose
- The chat does not replace therapy
- Crisis situations are routed to urgent help
- Unemployed clients should call for more details
Counselling prices range from £40-£60 per hour. If unemployed, please call EMPMAX for more details.
Ask about counsellingThe EMPMAX method
A high-trust pathway from first conversation to focused support.
Listen
Understand what the person is facing, who the support is for and why they are reaching out now.
Route
Identify whether the right fit is coaching, counselling, mentoring, training, career support or safeguarding.
Plan
Clarify the immediate need, preferred support style, urgency and best contact route.
Support
Move qualified enquiries into a call, consultation, referral, course or team follow-up.
Concierge booking
Book a conversation with EMPMAX in one step.
Send a booking request directly by WhatsApp, call Andre, or email the team. The message is pre-filled so the enquiry arrives with useful context.
EMPMAX Intake Assistant
Not sure what support you need? Let the EMPMAX assistant guide you.
The EMPMAX intake assistant helps visitors understand whether coaching, counselling, mentoring, career support, training or another pathway may be the right next step.
Identifies the support need
Asks short, supportive questions and classifies the enquiry into coaching, counselling, mentoring, career, youth, training or mixed support.
Assesses urgency
Checks who the support is for, how urgent it feels and whether the person is ready to book, leave details or get more information.
Recommends the next step
Explains relevant services, pricing where available and creates a clear enquiry summary for EMPMAX follow-up.
Pauses for safeguarding
Stops normal intake if serious risk appears and prioritises safety signposting before any booking conversation.
Client intake
Coaching, counselling, mentoring and booking assistant
Courses and programmes
CPD-accredited options and tailored training for teams, organisations and communities.
Conflict Management
SEND
Employability
Behaviour Management
Autism Awareness
Moving Forward
Mental Health Awareness
EPOCH Man
Mental Health Awareness Level 1
CPD-accredited awareness training priced at £350 per person.
Mental Health Awareness Level 2
CPD-accredited training delivered over 3 days and priced at £500 per person.
Tailored workplace sessions
Quoted after EMPMAX understands audience size, topic, location, delivery method and desired outcome.
Founder-led support
Built around lived understanding, practical development and community impact.
EMPMAX is led with a focus on helping people feel seen, supported and equipped to move forward. The work reaches individuals, young people, organisations and communities who need more than generic advice: they need structure, belief, practical tools and the right human conversation.
The approach is direct, respectful and outcome-focused. Whether someone needs mentoring, counselling, employment support, business coaching or training, EMPMAX starts by understanding the person and the context before recommending the route.
Why people trust the pathway
Practical and emotional support, connected through one clear intake journey.
EMPMAX sits between coaching, counselling, mentoring, employability, youth development, CPD training and community support. The goal is to help people access the right support at the right time without feeling lost in the options.
CPD-accredited training options where specified.
Support for disadvantaged communities, young people and referral partners.
Online, face-to-face and hybrid delivery depending on the support route.
Safeguarding-aware intake with clear boundaries around crisis and clinical advice.
Clear prices where fixed, with tailored quotes for organisational work.
Open to contractor, DWP-linked, training provider and community delivery relationships.
Impact
Impact stories coming soon.
EMPMAX can add approved testimonials, case studies and partner outcomes here when the director is ready to publish them. The website does not invent results or guarantee outcomes.
Real client stories can be added here once EMPMAX has permission to publish them.
Client support outcomes
Organisation feedback can be added here once approved by the relevant partner or client.
Training and workshop feedback
Youth and community outcomes can be added here without sharing unnecessary sensitive details.
Community impact evidence
Safeguarding-aware intake
Supportive guidance with clear boundaries.
The website assistant helps with enquiries, pricing, service routing and booking. It does not provide therapy, diagnosis, emergency support, medical advice, legal advice or crisis intervention.
If someone is in immediate danger
EMPMAX cannot provide emergency support through the chat. If someone is in immediate danger or feels at risk, they should call emergency services now.
UK urgent support
In the UK, call 999 for immediate danger or 111 for urgent medical advice. Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 for 24/7 emotional support.
What the assistant can do
It can listen briefly, ask safe intake questions, explain EMPMAX options, recommend a service route and help create an enquiry summary for the team.
What the assistant does not do
It does not diagnose, provide therapy, replace a counsellor or request unnecessary sensitive information inside the website chat.
Under-18 enquiries
If support is for a young person, EMPMAX will handle the enquiry carefully and may involve a parent, guardian, school, support worker or appropriate adult where needed.
Right professional route
The intake process is designed to guide people toward coaching, counselling, mentoring, training, signposting or urgent help when that is more appropriate.
Contact EMPMAX