Andi Russell, MA, PG Dip, is the founder and lead coach at Alabaster Coaching. A mother herself she is passionate about social justice for mothers and challenging the obstacles, shame and stigma they often face within the legal, social and justice system, to instead recognise and embrace the power, wisdom, complexity and beauty of motherhood and their personal maternal story. An experienced professional coach, trained trauma-informed practitioner and researcher of the 2023 Oxford Brookes masters study, Considering Person-Centred, Desistance-Led Coaching for Mothers on Probation, A Conceptual Framework, she has over 30 years of expertise and experience of communications, training, mentoring and coaching clients and individuals across a wide variety of cultures and communities. Andi is also an Accredited Senior Practitioner with the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) and its global code of ethics. This includes prioritising accountability through monthly supervision and an on-going commitment to CPD.

Why the name Alabaster Coaching? 

The name was inspired by the idea of Alabaster as a soft rock, which despite its sometimes harsh, mottled or stained look, uses all of its elements and parts to transform into something beautiful, resilient and lasting. Also of the story of the Alabaster Jar mentioned in Luke, Chapter 7 in the Bible, which tells the story of the rejected and despised woman, mocked by others for her humble position in society who nonetheless gave all she had to pour perfume on the feet of Jesus, who did not judge or reject her, but showed only compassion, kindness and acceptance toward her, which is our purpose and priority.