On The Sofa with British Mums

In this episode of On the Sofa with British Mums , Emma and Jen are joined by Latifa from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding. They explore the joy of learning more about Emirati culture and why, for residents, understanding the roots of the country they call home feels so special. Latifa shares her experiences of witnessing the UAE grow and flourish over the years, wh...

In this episode of On the Sofa with British Mums , Emma is joined by Sophie from the British Mums dream team and her husband Gil from Espace Real Estate for a relaxed, honest chat about life, property, and planning for the future in Dubai. They discuss how the recent regional conflict has affected house prices and rent, asking whether some of those changes might actually benefit families, as well...

In Season 3, Episode 17 of On the Sofa with British Mums , Emma is joined by Jen from the British Mums team and special guest Pamela from Travel Counsellors for a feel‑good conversation all about holidays close to home. They chat through some of the incredible UAE staycation options on offer, how families can support local tourism, and the positive impact that has on the wider economy. With EID on...

Season 3’s latest episode of On the Sofa with British Mums is a warm, uplifting listen all about happiness and community in uncertain times.  Emma is joined by Caitlyn and special guest Gillian from The Happy Tribe in Dubai to chat about how we can support small businesses right now, and why that matters so much for the people and families behind them.   They also dive into the simple things that...

Welcome back to Season 3 of On the Sofa with British Mums ! I’m Emma, and today I’m joined by Cat from the British Mums team for a chat that honestly left me wishing I could go back to school myself. We’re talking to Headmaster Simon Barber and Head of Pastoral Care Sophie Barber from Ludgrove School, and their warmth and energy shine through from the very first moment. In this episode, we dive in...

Season 3, Episode 14 of On the Sofa with British Mums feels like a big-sister catch-up in the best possible way.  In this episode, host Emma Isbell is joined by the “big sisters” of British Mums, Rohini Gill and Heather Harries, for a real and honest conversation about what life in the UAE looks like right now. They discuss the realities behind the headlines for both small and large businesses, th...

Hello and welcome to on the sofa with British Mums, I’m Emma, and I’m joined by Jen and Lauren for a gentle team chat after what has been an unsettling week here in the region and the place we call home.  We’re not here to give advice or tell anyone how they should feel, just to share our own experiences as mums, members of this community, and to let you know that if you’ve felt wobbly, you are ab...

In Season 3, Episode 12 of On the Sofa with British Mums, Emma is back on the sofa with Laura, Cat, and Catrina as they continue their deeply personal and often hilarious conversation about birth stories in this much-anticipated Part Two. Picking up where they left off, the team dives even further into their experiences of pregnancy and birth across different countries, opening up about the moment...

In Season 3, Episode 11 of On the Sofa with British Mums , host Emma is joined by Laura, Cat, and Catrina from the team for an honest, funny, and emotional conversation all about birth stories. They share their experiences of pregnancy and birth in different countries, comparing what surprised them, what they wish they’d known, and how every journey into motherhood feels completely unique. From la...

Season 3, Episode 10 of On the Sofa with British Mums brings a lively, relatable chat as host Emma is joined by Jen to sit down with Lauren—a busy mum of one, pregnant with her second, long-time British Mums community member, and entrepreneur behind Ride Skipper, the British-owned UAE safety driver service that sends vetted, professional drivers to drive families in their own cars so they can get...

Kicking off the new year on “On the Sofa with British Mums,” I’m sitting down with Jen and Ash for a real-life chat about fresh starts, big moves, and everything in between. We dive into New Year’s resolutions that actually feel achievable, what it’s like to juggle life between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and the realities of solo parenting when your support system is spread across borders. We also lo...

This is the final episode of 2025 on “On the Sofa with British Mums.” Emma is joined by Lauren and Becci from the British Mums dream team for a properly festive chat to round off the year. In this episode, they talk all things Christmas traditions, from the cosy childhood memories that shaped them to the new rituals they’re creating with their own families. They also chat about finding your tribe...

Welcome back to “On the Sofa with British Mums”! Today we’re getting properly cosy and chatting about all things books. Emma is joined by Jen and Nicola, the brilliant women behind our British Mums morning and evening book clubs, plus a very special guest… Emma's Mum is Michelle May Martin, a newly published UAE author.  In this episode, we’re talking about the joy of a great holiday read, th...

On Todays Episode Emma and Lauren from the British Mums dream team are joined by Greg Andrews,sporty dad, founder of Front Foot, and passionate advocate for all things active in the UAE!  This episode is packed with laughs and energy as we chat about sport, sportsmanship, leadership, and why getting involved brings our community together in ways that go far beyond the pitch. Greg shares brilliant...

In this episode of “On the Sofa with British Mums: Future Planning with Purpose,” Emma and Hannah chat with Georgina Wilkinson and Danielle Lecomber from St. James’s Place Dubai about what it really means to plan for the future as a family in Dubai. From building financial confidence to making sure you are prepared for when the years fly by, nothing is off the table. Georgina and Danielle bring wa...

It’s one of those chatty, feel-good episodes of On the Sofa with British Mums! where Emma, Jen, and Caitlin sit down for a proper catch-up, complete with laughter, a few tangents, and plenty of stories about everyday chaos. From Halloween madness and kids’ costume disasters to veggie gardens that may or may not be thriving, nothing’s off the table in this laid-back chat. But this episode also has...

Hello and welcome back to Season 3 of ‘On the Sofa with British Mums!’  Emma and Caitlin are thrilled to interview David and Jenny from 8billionideas, a pioneering education company that’s helping young people discover and unlock their potential far beyond the traditional classroom. 8billionideas partners with schools to deliver creative programmes and experiences focused on entrepreneurship, prob...

In Episode 2  season 3 of ‘On the Sofa with British Mums’, Emma is joined by Jen from the British Mums team and special guest Hugh—founder of MVA Academy, the innovative online school about to open its virtual doors right here in the UAE. Together, they explore what online schooling really looks like for families and students, with Hugh sharing his passion for personalised education, flexible lear...

Season 3 of ‘On the Sofa with British Mums’ launches with Emma hosting alongside Lauren and Jen, the owners of British Mums. This short and sweet opener welcomes new mums across the UAE, mixing honest stories, laughs, and the everyday adventures (and misadventures) of family life in the Emirates. With plenty happening at British Mums events throughout the UAE, there’s always a way to find friendsh...

It’s our final episode of the season, and Emma is joined by Laura and Charlotte for a laid-back team chat all about summer — the highs, the headaches, and everything in between. We’re talking caravan holiday shenanigans (Charlotte has a corker of a  story here)  Laura’s vivid imagination when it comes to holiday injuries (it’s a gift and a curse), all to the dulcet  tones of Emma’s kids making a j...

Join Emma and Ash on "On the Sofa with British Mums" as they chat with the amazing Jeri from My Wild Tribe! This mum of five is a home cook extraordinaire, a crafting whiz, and a travel lover who knows how to make adventures meaningful. Jeri shares her secrets to making healthy food appealing to even the pickiest eaters, managing a household budget like a pro, and exploring the world in...

On this episode of On the Sofa with British Mums , Emma and Jen sit down with Jill from the British Embassy in Dubai to talk about some of the essential things every expat should know while living in the UAE. With warmth, clarity, and plenty of practical advice, Jill helps unpack the key information that can help families stay informed, safe, and confident in their day-to-day lives. This isn’t abo...

Welcome to On the Sofa with British Mums – Season 2, Episode 15! This week, we’re sprinkling some serious pixie dust with an all-things-Disney episode! Cat and I – proud, self-confessed Disney adults – are joined by Ash, a first-time Disney holiday goer, to chat all about tips, tricks, and the hidden gems that make a trip with the main mouse himself truly unforgettable. We talk about everything fr...

Hello and welcome to On the Sofa with British Mums — Episode 15, Season 2! Are you or someone you love thinking about making the big move to the UAE? Feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there and don’t know where to start? Well, today’s episode is just for you. Emma and Lauren are joined by British mum and entrepreneur Catherine McEvoy, who has put together the ultimate event for famili...

On this weeks episode we learn about University Home status...What's home status, we hear you ask?  Jen and Emma found out all you need to know in a delightful morning with the fountain of knowledge that is Sarah Lewis from UK Study Options on how to navigate the fee status rules and preserve your home fee status eligibility.  Whether your kids are still young or already teens, time flies—and...