Coaching Terms & Conditions

The Ripple Stone | Chris Blackman Coaching

Last updated: 18 October 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Chris Blackman Coaching.

These Coaching Terms & Conditions explain the arrangements, responsibilities and expectations associated with our coaching services, available through The Ripple Stone website.

Coaching is a collaborative process intended to support personal reflection, greater awareness, learning and development. It provides an opportunity to explore your experiences, understand the influences on your decisions and consider the actions you may wish to take.

We believe that a productive coaching relationship should be built on mutual respect, openness, confidentiality and clear expectations.

Please read these terms before booking or purchasing coaching services.

Nothing in these terms removes or restricts your statutory consumer rights.

2. About Us

Our coaching services are provided by Chris Blackman Coaching, the trading name of Chris Blackman, a sole trader operating in the United Kingdom.

Business information

Trading name: Chris Blackman Coaching
Coach and business owner: Chris Blackman
Business structure: Sole trader
Website: https://theripplestone.co.uk
Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk
Correspondence address: 3, Whiteway Close, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4AT, England, United Kingdom

References to "we", "us" and "our" mean Chris Blackman trading as Chris Blackman Coaching.

References to "you", "your" and "client" mean individuals accessing or purchasing our coaching services.

3. The Nature and Purpose of Coaching

Coaching is a collaborative process that supports individuals in exploring their experiences, perspectives, values, beliefs, goals and decisions.

Our approach draws upon The Ripple Stone and its Navigating the Lake framework.

Coaching may involve reflective questions, structured exercises, discussions and agreed actions between sessions.

The purpose is to support your awareness and decision-making rather than direct you towards decisions chosen by the coach.

Coaching is not therapy or medical treatment

Our coaching services do not provide medical treatment, psychological diagnosis, psychotherapy, crisis intervention or other regulated professional services.

Coaching is not a substitute for advice or treatment from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional or specialist.

Where matters arise outside the scope of coaching, we may discuss whether alternative or additional professional support would be appropriate.

If you are experiencing an immediate emergency or are at imminent risk of harm, please contact the appropriate emergency services.

4. Our Coaching Services

4.1 Navigating the Lake Discovery Session

Price: Free

The Discovery Session provides an opportunity to discuss what has brought you to coaching, explore what you hope to achieve and consider whether our approach may be suitable.

The session is provided without charge or obligation to purchase further coaching.

Following the discussion, you are free to decide whether you wish to continue with an individual session or the twelve-session programme.

A Discovery Session does not guarantee that an ongoing coaching relationship will be offered.

4.2 Individual Coaching Session

Price: £85 per session

Duration: Up to 90 minutes

Individual coaching sessions provide dedicated time to explore a particular issue, situation, decision or area of personal development.

Sessions may be booked independently, whether or not you have previously attended coaching.

There is no obligation to book further sessions.

Additional appointments may be arranged separately, subject to availability.

Ongoing coaching-related email support between sessions is not included with individual session purchases. Administrative communication remains available.

4.3 Navigating the Lake — 12-Session Programme

Total price: £895

Includes: 12 online coaching sessions of up to 90 minutes each, with email support between sessions.

The programme is designed for individuals who wish to engage in a more sustained process of personal reflection, exploration and development.

It provides an opportunity to explore the Navigating the Lake framework and consider how its elements interact with your circumstances, decisions and areas of life.

The programme includes:

Twelve individual online coaching sessions.
Sessions lasting up to 90 minutes each.
Email support between sessions, as described in Section 18.
Relevant coaching resources and reflective exercises where appropriate.

The programme does not guarantee a particular outcome or require clients to follow a predetermined personal direction.

Sessions are arranged at mutually agreed times, subject to availability.

The programme does not renew automatically.

5. Booking and Confirmation

Coaching sessions may be booked through our website using Wix's booking facilities.

When making a booking, you are responsible for providing accurate contact and appointment information.

Where payment is required, the applicable price and payment arrangements will be displayed before purchase.

A booking is confirmed when confirmation is issued through our website booking system or by email.

Confirmation will include relevant appointment information and instructions for joining the online session.

For the twelve-session programme, the date of the first coaching session will establish the programme commencement date. The resulting completion deadline will be confirmed in writing.

Applicable contractual terms and cancellation information will be made available before you become contractually bound.

6. Twelve-Session Programme Duration

The Navigating the Lake twelve-session programme is designed to be completed within 12 months of the date of the first coaching session.

The programme does not begin for the purpose of calculating this completion period on the date of purchase, unless the first coaching session also takes place on that date.

The completion deadline will be confirmed once the first session has been arranged.

6.1 Scheduling responsibilities

Clients are responsible for arranging and attending their coaching sessions within the agreed programme period, with reasonable cooperation from the coach.

Appointments will be offered subject to availability, and clients are encouraged to arrange sessions with sufficient time to complete the programme.

We will make reasonable efforts to provide appointment availability that allows clients to complete their agreed sessions.

6.2 Exceptional extensions

We recognise that unexpected circumstances can affect a client's ability to complete coaching within twelve months.

Where a client experiences circumstances that significantly interfere with their ability to attend, they may request an extension.

Requests will be considered individually and reasonably, taking account of:

The reason for the request.
The number of sessions already completed.
The amount of time remaining.
The client's circumstances.
The availability of suitable future appointments.
Whether any delay was caused by the coach.
Applicable contractual and consumer rights.

Extensions are not automatic, but requests will not be unreasonably dismissed.

Where an extension is agreed, the revised completion deadline will be confirmed in writing.

6.3 Unused sessions

We encourage clients to complete all twelve sessions within their agreed programme period.

Where sessions remain unused when the programme period ends, we will review the circumstances and consider whether an extension, alternative arrangement or refund is appropriate.

Unused sessions will not automatically be forfeited, nor will their value automatically be retained where doing so would be unfair or unlawful.

The treatment of unused sessions will follow the applicable contract terms, our Refund & Cancellation Policy and relevant consumer protection law.

7. Online Coaching Arrangements

Coaching sessions are delivered remotely using Zoom.

We will provide the necessary joining information before the appointment.

You are responsible for arranging suitable equipment, an internet connection and an environment in which you feel comfortable participating.

We recommend choosing a quiet and private location where you can speak without unnecessary interruptions.

If significant technical difficulties prevent a session from being delivered, we will work with you to arrange an appropriate solution.

Where necessary, this may include rescheduling or another remedy consistent with your statutory rights.

Reasonable accessibility arrangements will be considered where practicable.

8. Our Responsibilities as Your Coach

We aim to provide coaching services with reasonable care, skill and professionalism.

Our responsibilities include:

Providing an environment that supports respectful and constructive discussion.
Listening without unnecessary judgement.
Asking questions intended to encourage reflection and awareness.
Respecting your autonomy and personal circumstances.
Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Handling personal information responsibly.
Explaining the limitations of coaching.
Being transparent about arrangements and pricing.
Delivering the coaching services agreed.

We will not intentionally pressure clients to make particular personal decisions or purchase additional coaching.

9. Your Responsibilities as a Client

Coaching is a collaborative relationship in which both parties contribute.

We ask clients to:

Attend appointments punctually where reasonably possible.
Engage respectfully with the coaching process.
Take responsibility for their own decisions and actions.
Communicate when an exercise or discussion feels inappropriate.
Provide appropriate notice when cancelling or rescheduling.
Respect the professional boundaries of the coaching relationship.
Provide accurate booking and payment information.

You are not required to share information that you feel uncomfortable disclosing.

You may decline to answer questions or ask to pause an exercise or discussion.

Any actions identified during coaching remain your choice.

10. Confidentiality

Information shared during coaching is treated as confidential and used for purposes associated with delivering and administering the coaching service.

We will not disclose identifiable details of coaching conversations for marketing, publicity or unrelated purposes without appropriate permission.

Limits to confidentiality

Confidentiality may be subject to legal obligations or other lawful grounds for disclosure.

This may include circumstances where:

Disclosure is required by law or a valid court order.
There is a serious and credible concern about an immediate risk of harm, and disclosure is lawful and proportionate.
Information is reasonably necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Information must be processed by authorised service providers to deliver coaching, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Where legally permitted and appropriate, we will aim to discuss a proposed disclosure beforehand.

Neither party should independently record a coaching session without the other's prior agreement.

11. Zoom AI Companion and Coaching Notes

To support accurate note-taking and continuity, we may use Zoom AI Companion's meeting summary functionality.

Clients will be informed beforehand, and their agreement to AI-assisted note-taking will be sought.

Where a client does not wish to use AI-assisted summaries, alternative note-taking arrangements can be discussed.

We do not routinely retain complete audio or video recordings for note-taking purposes.

AI-generated summaries are reviewed before relevant coaching notes are retained.

11.1 Retention periods

Our coaching notes retention periods are:

Zoom AI meeting summaries: Up to 7 days under our control.
Discovery Session notes: 30 days after the session.
Individual Coaching Session notes: 90 days after the session.
Twelve-session programme notes: Throughout the programme and for 180 days following the final coaching session.

Where further coaching is booked during an applicable retention period, relevant existing notes may be used to support continuity.

Information may be retained longer where another lawful reason requires it.

Zoom's independent technical processing and retention arrangements may differ from our own.

Further information is available in our Privacy Policy.

12. Payments and Pricing

Prices are displayed on our website and confirmed before purchase.

Our current coaching prices are:

Discovery Session: Free.
Individual Coaching Session: £85.
Navigating the Lake twelve-session programme: £895.

Prices are stated in pounds sterling (£), with applicable taxes or additional charges disclosed before payment.

Payments are processed through the available payment services integrated with our Wix website.

These may include Wix Payments, applicable Stripe processing arrangements, Klarna and Clearpay.

Where an instalment or Buy Now, Pay Later option is selected, the relevant payment provider's additional terms may apply.

Any direct payment plan offered by Chris Blackman Coaching will have a clearly disclosed payment schedule and conditions.

We will not increase the agreed price of a confirmed coaching purchase without your agreement.

13. Statutory Right to Cancel

Where coaching services are purchased online or otherwise at a distance, consumers generally have the statutory right to cancel within 14 days after the day on which the contract is entered into.

You may exercise this right without giving a reason, subject to the applicable rules where services have expressly been requested to begin during the cancellation period.

To cancel, contact:

hello@theripplestone.co.uk

You may use the model cancellation form provided at the end of these terms, although any clear statement communicating your decision to cancel is sufficient.

13.1 Starting coaching during the cancellation period

If you wish to begin paid coaching before the statutory cancellation period ends, we will seek your express request and provide the required information about how this affects your cancellation rights.

If you cancel after services have begun at your express request, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for services already supplied, calculated in accordance with applicable consumer law.

Where a service has been fully performed following the legally required request and acknowledgement, your statutory right to cancel that completed service may end.

Where coaching has not begun, you will generally be entitled to a full refund during the statutory cancellation period.

These provisions do not remove statutory remedies for services that are not delivered as agreed or with reasonable care and skill.

14. Appointment Cancellations and Rescheduling

We recognise that circumstances can change and that appointments sometimes need to be rearranged.

14.1 Standard notice period

Clients are asked to provide at least 24 hours' notice before the scheduled session start time when cancelling or requesting to reschedule an appointment.

Where at least 24 hours' notice is provided, the appointment may be rearranged without an additional rescheduling charge, subject to mutually available times.

For twelve-session programme clients, rearranged appointments will normally remain within the agreed programme completion period.

14.2 Less than 24 hours' notice

Where less than 24 hours' notice is provided, the circumstances will be considered individually.

Any cancellation charge will be assessed fairly and will only be applied where lawfully permitted and justified by reasonable losses directly arising from the late cancellation.

We will consider relevant circumstances, including:

The amount of notice provided.
The reason for the cancellation.
Whether the appointment can reasonably be rearranged.
Whether the appointment time could be offered to another client.
Any actual loss or costs incurred.
Whether reasonable steps could reduce that loss.

We will not automatically charge the full session price or treat a programme session as used without considering the circumstances and applicable law.

Where a charge is appropriate, we will explain the amount and how it has been determined.

14.3 Missed appointments

Where a client does not attend a scheduled session and has not contacted us, the appointment may be treated as a missed session.

Missed appointments will be assessed individually using the same principles of fairness and proportionality.

Any charge or deduction must be legally justified and must not represent an excessive penalty.

14.4 Late attendance

If a client arrives late, we will endeavour to use the remaining appointment time constructively.

Extending the scheduled finishing time may not always be possible because of other appointments or commitments.

14.5 Appointments cancelled by the coach

If we need to rearrange a session, we will provide as much notice as reasonably possible.

We will offer an alternative appointment where suitable.

If we are unable to deliver an agreed paid service, an appropriate remedy will be provided in accordance with the contract and applicable law.

Where our cancellation or unavailability affects the twelve-month programme completion period, reasonable adjustments will be made so that clients are not unfairly disadvantaged.

These arrangements do not override statutory cancellation rights.

15. Ending a Coaching Agreement

You may decide that you no longer wish to continue coaching.

You can communicate this decision by contacting hello@theripplestone.co.uk.

Individual coaching

Where an individual session has not yet taken place, applicable cancellation provisions and statutory rights will determine any refund or charge.

Twelve-session programme

If you decide to discontinue the programme before completing all twelve sessions, please contact us.

We will review:

The number of sessions already delivered.
Any remaining sessions.
Payments received.
Any reasonable and demonstrable direct costs or losses resulting from early termination.
Whether those costs or losses could reasonably have been avoided.
Your applicable statutory and contractual cancellation rights.

Where a refund is due, it will be calculated fairly and in accordance with applicable consumer law.

We will not automatically retain the entire programme fee simply because you decide not to continue.

Any lawful deduction will be explained.

16. Exceptional Circumstances

We understand that illness, family emergencies, unexpected personal circumstances and other significant events can interfere with scheduled coaching.

Where such circumstances arise, please contact us as soon as reasonably practicable.

We will consider requests for rescheduling, temporary pauses or programme extensions individually.

Our assessment will take account of the circumstances, the coaching already delivered, remaining contractual commitments and applicable consumer rights.

We aim to approach these situations with fairness, reasonable flexibility and clear communication.

Any agreed change to the programme completion deadline will be confirmed in writing.

17. Programme Completion and Unused Sessions

The twelve-session programme is intended to be completed within twelve months of the first session unless an extension is agreed.

Where a client approaches the completion deadline with unused sessions, we encourage them to contact us to discuss available options.

These may include arranging the remaining appointments, considering an exceptional extension or assessing an appropriate refund or other resolution.

The existence of a twelve-month completion period does not automatically entitle us to retain payment for every unused session.

Any decision will take account of the circumstances, the contractual arrangements and applicable consumer law.

Where the coach has been unable to provide reasonable appointment availability, the client will not be unfairly disadvantaged.

18. Email Support Between Sessions

Email support is included with the Navigating the Lake twelve-session programme only.

It is intended to provide continuity and appropriate support between scheduled sessions.

18.1 What email support includes

During an active programme, clients may use email to:

Ask questions relating to topics explored during coaching.
Share reflections arising from agreed exercises.
Seek clarification about actions or considerations discussed.
Raise matters they would like to explore in a future session.
Communicate about their ongoing coaching journey.

Email support complements the scheduled sessions rather than replacing them.

18.2 Response times

We aim to respond to coaching-related emails within two working days of receipt.

For this purpose, working days are Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays in England and Wales.

This is a normal response target rather than a guarantee of immediate availability.

Where an enquiry requires more extensive exploration, we may suggest addressing it during the next scheduled coaching session.

If circumstances prevent a response within the usual timeframe, we will aim to respond as soon as reasonably practicable.

18.3 Scope of support

Email support is not intended to provide unlimited additional coaching sessions.

It is designed for appropriate questions, reflections and clarifications connected with the ongoing coaching programme.

Where a matter requires substantial discussion, it may be more suitable for a scheduled session.

18.4 Individual coaching clients

Ongoing coaching-related email support is not included with individual coaching sessions.

Clients may still contact us for administrative matters, appointment arrangements or enquiries about further coaching.

18.5 Emergencies

Email support is not a crisis intervention, emergency assistance or urgent medical or psychological support service.

Clients requiring urgent assistance should contact an appropriate emergency or specialist service.

18.6 End of email support

Email support is available during the active twelve-session coaching programme.

It ends when the programme is completed or the coaching agreement otherwise ends, unless a different arrangement is expressly agreed.

It does not continue automatically during the period in which coaching notes are retained.

19. Coaching Outcomes and Personal Decisions

Coaching is intended to encourage reflection, awareness and informed decision-making.

Every person's circumstances and experiences are different.

We cannot guarantee that coaching will produce a particular personal, financial, professional or relationship outcome.

We undertake to provide the agreed coaching services with reasonable care and skill.

Decisions and actions taken following coaching remain your responsibility, without limiting any liability imposed on us by law.

20. Professional Boundaries and Suitability

We aim to maintain appropriate professional boundaries throughout the coaching relationship.

There may be circumstances where it becomes apparent that coaching is no longer suitable or that another form of support would be more appropriate.

Where this occurs, we will aim to discuss the situation respectfully and consider appropriate next steps.

We may suspend or end a coaching relationship where there is a serious and justified reason, such as threatening behaviour, serious misconduct or circumstances that make continuing the relationship inappropriate or unsafe.

If we end a paid coaching agreement, payments for services not supplied will be handled fairly and in accordance with applicable consumer law.

21. Coaching Materials and Intellectual Property

Coaching may include access to worksheets, exercises and educational materials associated with The Ripple Stone and Navigating the Lake.

Unless otherwise stated, these materials are provided for individual, personal and non-commercial use.

Clients may complete, revisit and apply these materials to their own development.

Protected materials may not be reproduced, redistributed, sold or commercially exploited without appropriate permission or another lawful entitlement.

Clients remain free to apply the general ideas and learning developed through coaching in their own lives.

Further information is available in our Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy.

22. Privacy and Data Protection

We collect and process personal information where necessary to manage bookings, payments, communication and coaching services.

This may include personal information shared during coaching sessions and retained in coaching notes.

Our handling of personal information is explained in our Privacy Policy.

23. Complaints and Concerns

We want clients to feel comfortable raising concerns about their coaching experience.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, please contact us.

Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk

We will consider complaints fairly, investigate relevant circumstances and seek an appropriate resolution.

Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and other applicable legislation remain unaffected.

24. Liability and Your Legal Rights

We aim to deliver coaching services with reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability where doing so would be unlawful.

This includes liability for:

Death or personal injury caused by negligence.
Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
Breaches of statutory consumer rights.
Failure to provide services with reasonable care and skill.
Any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

25. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Coaching Terms & Conditions to reflect changes in our services, business arrangements or legal obligations.

Updated terms will generally apply to future bookings and purchases.

Changes affecting an existing coaching agreement will only apply where lawfully permitted and, where necessary, agreed with the client.

We will not use a policy update to remove contractual rights already agreed.

26. Governing Law

These Coaching Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory consumer protections applicable in other jurisdictions.

Nothing in these terms restricts any mandatory rights you may have concerning the courts in which a consumer dispute may be brought.

27. Contact Information

Chris Blackman Coaching

Trading name of Chris Blackman, a sole trader operating in the United Kingdom.

Website: https://theripplestone.co.uk

Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk

Business correspondence address: 3, Whiteway Close, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4AT, England, United Knigdom

Appendix — Model Cancellation Form

Complete and return this form only if you wish to cancel a coaching contract. You may instead provide any other clear cancellation statement by email.

To: Chris Blackman Coaching

Email: hello@theripplestone.co.uk

I hereby give notice that I wish to cancel my contract for the following coaching service:

Coaching service: __________________________

Date ordered: __________________________

Client name: __________________________

Client address: __________________________

Client email: __________________________

Date of cancellation: __________________________

Signature: __________________________

Signature is only necessary when submitting a paper form.

Send your cancellation request to hello@theripplestone.co.uk.