EXECUTIVE COACHING FOR EVERYONE…
“…because we are all the executives of our own lives.” Ceri Barnes
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
I created Brighten+Hope because I see an urgent need in my freelance world for access to affordable trained coaches to enable a balanced, supported and healthy working life where creative energy is prioritised.
Too many of us are simply surviving.
As freelancers we have to be constantly flexible, rarely having time or resources to look after ourselves and without the support of a company to provide continued professional development. And when the creative industries in particular hit a rough patch as they are now the freelance workforce feels isolated and stranded.
Coaching is a life boat reconnecting you with your value and abilities to find direction - enabling you to thrive where you are or pivot should you need.
Working in TV production with the lens of a coach means I recognise the limiting beliefs at play, the toll of making our own momentum, the corrosiveness of stress and the barriers to progression with total clarity.
I know the impact our patterns of work can have on our home lives too. I’ve lived it, I have the shorthand and I can help. I promise.
GROUNDED in EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
I spent the past few decades at the top of my game as a TV executive, running shows for most of the big channels, streamers and brands. I lead teams, crafted series and sent the elevator down to new talent many of whom have gone on to win all the awards TV can offer and captain their own very impressive ships.
I am now a fully qualified Executive Coach. I’m also a Supervisor, an NLP Master and NLP Trainer, Career Matters trained Career Coach and qualified Mediator. I’m a member of the Association for Coaching (A.C) and The Association for Neuro Linguistic Programming (ANLP). I lecture in Film Production and Animation Production at the University of Brighton and Met Film School and I run trainings in Creative Confidence for the likes of Film London and 60Forty Films.
I am determined to be the kind of coach for others that I wish I’d had in my corner for my whole career.
I have spent 30 years working in television production. From runner to show-runner.
I have had an incredible, rewarding and happy career making lifelong friendships, endlessly learning new things, creating and delivering TV that I am immensely proud of.
I have also experienced full and intense burn-out. Six years ago my body simply refused to let me continue - the body really does keep the score. I couldn’t walk for a week. My nervous system (I soon learned) was on fire. Lying on the sofa worried and confused I opened a newsletter from an organisation called ‘The Beyond Partnership’ who provide training and coaching of all kinds as well as workshops and thoughtfully curated events.
I’d followed them originally because of my favourite poet with whom they ran salons and workshops - everything really is connected. They were advertising a coach training programme and something in the wording of that email just glowed off the page. I sent a message asking to speak to them and an hour later without knowing I’d needed her I had found my own personal coach. I now never make a single career decision without speaking to her. She has trained me, she’s my mentor and guide too. And like all good coaches, when I coach you, you benefit from my having an excellent supervisor supporting me.
MY STORY - Well, one of them…
A COACHEE’S STORY
From Clare - a producer/director - May 2026
“When I first reached out, I’d never worked with a career coach before and had no idea what to expect. I only knew I’d spent 18 months trying to transition out of TV with nothing to show for it, and that my upcoming interview felt both like the dream job, and the last in a very long line of rejections I could emotionally weather.
In our two sessions, you helped me see the version of myself I’d been trying to articulate for so long and you gave me the confidence to walk into that interview as her. You helped me realise I deserved to be there, and you guided me on how to express my own achievements rather than those of others.
And as a result, I got my dream job.
I can't really express how much it meant to get a 'We'd absolutely love to have you', instead of yet another 'Sorry, but we've gone with someone else on this occasion'.
Confidence and self-belief don't come easy, and I know that's the case for many other women also. Our conversations genuinely instilled a sense of it in me that I've carried since, and I clearly very much needed. I'm so grateful that I reached out to you. Thanks for being bloody fantastic! I hope everyone in my boat comes your way.”
MORE TESTIMONIALS…
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“Working with Ceri is like opening a door out of thin air that leads to a path of improvement. She helps people and stories grow like a little sun”
Kristina, Script Writer
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“Ceri helped me discover the breadth of skills I’d built up over many years working in TV. She has given me tremendous confidence in focussing on what I truly want to achieve in my future career.”
Sabine, Edit Producer/Director
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“Ceri is an excellent coach and fantastic human all round. Her understanding, empathy and openness was incredibly helpful and uplifting. She is insightful, generous with her time and supportive beyond the sessions - it is clear that she genuinely cares. I would highly recommend Ceri to anyone.”
Charly, Executive Producer
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“After a semester working with Ceri I feel super prepared for the industry having previously felt completely frozen and overwhelmed”
Laurel, Film School Graduate
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"Ceri provides a supportive environment and engages in the process in a way that allowed me to openly discover and discuss my thoughts. She offers swift engagement and thoughtful direction which helped me work thorough some immediate blocks but also provided the capacity and framework for future personal and professional growth.”
Gerard, Showrunner & Executive Producer
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“The sessions have been an incredible self-exploratory process that have forced me to properly engage with who I am and what I want out of my career. As a freelancer, long-terms ambitions and concerns don’t often have a place to be aired but as I’ve discovered it’s so important that they are. I can't recommend these coaching sessions highly enough!”
Alex, Producer
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After a traumatic experience in a toxic work environment, I was left feeling battered and uncertain, with my confidence shaken. Ceri’s calm and supportive approach helped me to recognise that I had been pursuing positions that weren’t right for me or my well-being. This realisation has encouraged me to approach job applications with a more intentional mindset—considering not just my skills but whether the role aligns with my values and goals. Thanks to Ceri’s support, I now feel more positive and hopeful.
Fiona, Co-ordinator
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Ceri created a comfortable environment where I felt heard and supported. She was very open and reassuring but challenged me and helped me challenge myself to identify the path I’d like to take. With her guidance I was able to identify areas to focus on, set goals and a structure to achieve them. Ceri was very flexible and accommodating I would definitely recommend her as a coach.
Harriet, University Graduate
CONNECTION
COMMUNITY
CONVERSATION
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YOUR STORY MATTERS
Always look for the treasure
“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift”
- Mary Oliver, The Uses of Sorrow.
WHAT WE OFFER
Because Brighten+Hope believes that so few people have ever taken the time to concentrate on themselves and what they want, most coaching offered is 1:1..
I do also offer GROUP COACHING from time to time : I believe coaching for Freelancers must be accessible so deividing up the cost makes real effective support affordable.
My sessions are offered on a sliding scale.
TRAINING : I also offer talks and training in conflict coaching, creative confidence and resilience.
I want everyone to be able to benefit from a coaching conversation. Please reach out.
Our first meeting is free of charge whilst we work out how much fun we’ll have working together.